Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Model for Today’s Youth
In Chicago, students at a local Catholic school are engaging with the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis in creative ways. Fifth graders are reading comic books titled “Digital Disciple,” illustrating what the teen might have chosen as his phone background, and discussing miracles attributed to his intercession.
As the first American parish named after Acutis gathers momentum ahead of his canonization this Sunday, he is being recognized as a saint who resonates with the millennial generation. This 15-year-old tech enthusiast passed away in 2006, but his influence has surged among today’s youth, thanks to the Church’s efforts to present him as a relatable figure.
Rev. Ed Howe, the pastor at Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish in Chicago, describes him as the “saint next door,” someone who embodies the spirit of everyday faith. “Carlo’s story inspires many young people to believe that they, too, can be saints,” Howe remarked.
Pope Leo XIV is set to canonize Acutis in his first ceremony as pope, a powerful message about modern sainthood, especially for young people drawn to the faith through technology. Acutis’s life reflects a balance of active faith and personal passion, using technological skills to spread Christian values while maintaining a simple lifestyle.
Known as “God’s Influencer,” Acutis created a website detailing extraordinary Eucharistic miracles, showing how technology can be used to share faith. He was dedicated to daily prayer and brought his family closer to the Church, embodying devotion in a relatable format.
“Carlo understood how social technology can be a distraction,” Pope Francis noted. “Yet he used it wisely to champion what truly matters.”
As young Catholics flock to his tomb and classrooms, Acutis’s legacy shines as a beacon of hope and faith. His story illustrates that extraordinary devotion can come from ordinary people, inspiring many to think about their own paths to holiness in today’s world.
In this age where distractions can easily pull one away from faith, Acutis serves as a reminder that embracing one’s beliefs while using modern tools can have a profound impact, making him a role model for future generations.
