Saint Carlo Acutis
Born: May 3, 1991
Died: October 12, 2006
“The Eucharist is my Highway to Heaven”
Carlo Acutis died of fulminant leukaemia when he was only fifteen, leaving a great void and deep admiration in the memory of all those who knew him for what had been a short, but intensely authentic Christian life.
A Saint for Our Times
Living the Christian Life
Saint Carlo Acutis is a saint for our times for a couple of reasons. First of all, he was a young man, and how important it is for young people to come to an appreciation of the gift of the Gospel. He was very much someone who understood the benefits of technology for evangelization and catechesis, and he concentrated his efforts especially on the Holy Eucharist, which you and I, because of our faith, consider to be the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. You may have read that the belief in what we call the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is not strong or robust in the Church today, even among those who describe themselves as Catholics. So God has raised up for us in this time a young man who is committed to sharing the truth, the marvel, the mystery and the wonder of the gift of the Holy Eucharist.
His Eucharistic Love
He had not missed a daily mass since receiving his first communion at the age of seven. Either before or after the celebration of the Eucharist, he tried to stand in front of the tabernacle to worship the Lord, who was present in the Blessed Sacrament. Our Lady was his great confidante and he never missed an opportunity to honor her by reciting the rosary daily. Carlo’s modernity and relevance combined perfectly with his profoundly Eucharistic life and devotion to the Virgin Mary. This contributed to making him a very special boy who was admired and loved by everyone.
Computer Genius: Using His Gifts for God
Carlo was extremely gifted when it came to anything to do with computing. His friends and adults with degrees in computer engineering considered him a genius. Everyone was astonished by his ability to understand the hidden secrets of computing, which are normally only accessible to those who have studied at university. Carlo’s interests ranged from computer programming to film editing, to website creation and the newspapers he wrote and laid out, and his volunteer work with the neediest — children and the elderly. This devoted young man from the Milan diocese, offered his suffering up to the Pope and the Church before he died and was, in short, a mystery.
Quotes
“To always be close to Jesus that’s my plan.”
“The Eucharist is the highway to heaven.”
“A life is truly beautiful only if we come to love God above all things, our neighbor as oursleves.”
“I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”
Official Intercession Prayer
Saint Carlo Acutis
1991-2006
Feast Day – October 12
Patronage: Computer programmers; Youth Influencers
Official prayer requesting the intercession of Saint Carlo Acutis:
Oh God, our Father, thank you for giving us Carlo, a model of life for young people
and a message of love for all.
You have made him fall in love with your Son Jesus, making the Eucharist
his “highway to heaven.”
You have given him Mary as a very beloved Mother, and you have made him,
with her Rosary, become a singer of her tenderness. She welcomes his intercession for us.
He looks above all at the poor, whom he loved and helped.
[Grant me also, through his intercession, the grace I need…]
And make our joy full,
leading Carlo among the saints
of the universal Church,
so that his smile continues
to shine for us and for the glory of your name. Amen
Pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.