His love for Christ and his devotion to Him in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary in the rosary guided every day of his life. In his short time on earth, Carlo exhibited more wisdom in his decade-and-a-half than many people do in a lifetime. This young man is an inspiration to all, but he should also serve as an inspiration to our youth, as he was just 15 when he died of leukemia. Pope Francis beatified Carlo Acutis on October 10. Let us spend our time doing only what glorifies God.Ĭarlo was truly a remarkable young man-and tomorrow we call him Blessed. Let us resolve to not waste our time on things that cause us to sin. As we do so, let us remember his words: “I die happy because I did not spend my life wasting my time on things not pleasing to God.” We venerate him by not only spreading his message, but by learning from and emulating him. These people serve as models so that we can change our lives for the better and be more Christlike.Ĭarlo Acutis accomplished more in his 15 years than many accomplish in three times that. Their words, their actions, their experiences, and their thoughts and teachings resonate with us. The reason that the saints, the venerable, and the blessed are so important to our faith is because they help guide us along the path to heaven. Each day, we must glorify Him with our words and with our actions. Shouldn’t that be the plan we all have? Isn’t that the point of life? We were put here on earth to know, love, and serve God. “To be close to Jesus is my life plan,” Carlo once stated. They told story after story of how his witness changed their lives. People-strangers and friends alike-packed the church for his funeral. Just a week after his family received the diagnosis-on October 12, 2006-Carlo died. He told his mother: “I die happy because I did not spend my life wasting my time on things not pleasing to God.” Though Carlo was in a lot of pain and knew that he would soon die, he offered up those sufferings for the Church and Pope Benedict. It was an illness that would quickly take his life. However, his sickness didn’t improve, so his parents took him to the doctor, where they found that he had an aggressive form of leukemia. He once said: “What does it matter if you can win 1,000 battles if you cannot win against your own corrupt passions? The real battle is within ourselves.”Īt 15, Carlo became really sick and thought he had the flu, as many of his friends had gotten it that season. In addition, Carlo taught catechism classes at his church and loved being part of the faith formation of young children.Ĭarlo went to confession regularly and kept a journal of his behaviors, noting what he could do better. He and his mother would volunteer with the homeless, taking them blankets and food, and he would encourage his friends to join them. But he was always encouraging them to do the right thing, to speak kindly, and to help others. When not ensconced in his programming, Carlo was a normal kid having fun with his friends. He wanted others to understand this as well, and he wanted to share these miracles with people around the world. He rightly understood that the Eucharist transforms lives and gives a foretaste of heaven. “The eucharist is my highway to heaven,” Carlos said. He was even able to travel to some of these sites to take pictures for this “virtual museum.” He combined this love with his love of Christ in the Eucharist, which led him to the creation of a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles around the world. Using books his mother bought him, he taught himself how to program. He received his First Communion at the age of seven, and from that time on he said the Rosary every day and went to daily Mass.Ĭarlo was extremely bright and eventually found his passion in computer programming. Because of Carlo’s devotion, however, his parents soon returned to the Church.Īs Carlo grew, so did his devotion. What’s most remarkable is that, at this time, his parents were not practicing Catholics. His mother remembers that, at age 4, he would pick flowers to present to a statue of Mary. Carlos Acácio Gonçalves Ferreira, the rector of the Sanctuary of Spoliation in Assisi where Carlo’s tomb is located.Ĭarlo Acutis died at the age of 15, but not before he made a profound impact on his community and on the world.īorn in London, but raised in Milan, Carlo exhibited immense love for Jesus and Mary from a young age. “For the first time in history we will see a saint dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a sweater,” said Fr. Young Carlo Acutis will be beatified in Assisi, Italy, tomorrow. Take a break from the debates, from the pandemic, and from racial tensions tomorrow to honor and learn from a boy who lived his short life for Christ.
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