If you follow a Catholic news channel or social media account, it is very likely that you have heard about the upcoming canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. This young man was born in London in 1991 but lived in Italy until his death at age fifteen following a short battle with leukemia in 2006.
Acutis will be the first “millennial” saint. He will be canonized soon although we don’t know the exact date yet. A digital native, he operated a website to document Eucharistic miracles and visions of Mary around the world. Carlo dedicated his life to speaking out about the faith and helping others know Jesus Christ through technology. Pope Francis stated, “[Carlo] was in love with the Eucharist. He did not settle into a comfortable immobility, but understood the needs of his time, because in the weakest he saw the face of Christ. His witness indicates to the young people of today that true happiness is found by putting God in the first place and serving him in our brothers and sisters, especially in the least of these.”
Last year, I traveled to Assisi, Italy, where Blessed Carlo’s body is located. I had the blessing of visiting of the Church of St. Mary Major and praying in front of his tomb. I asked for his intercession as I looked at his body, which is not incorrupt, but is—as the Bishop of Assisi said—“reassembled with art and love.” It was a very convicting experience, seeing how this young man, who looked like any teen you may encounter these days, wearing jeans and sneakers, was able to reach holiness and do so much for the Gospel. It made me think, “What is stopping me from doing the same?”
Image credit: CPP/CIRIC (#401773)
