Bl. Carlo Acutis
Our soon-to-be teenage saint
Our soon-to-be teenage saint
Editor’s note: Bl. Carlo Acutis’ canonization was originally planned for April 27. Following the death of Pope Francis, the canonization has been postponed. A new date was not set as of press time.
Soon, the first millennial saint will be canonized: Bl. Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at just 15 years old from leukemia. He is quickly becoming a favorite heavenly friend for young people. He often wore sneakers, played video games (though he limited how much he played) and was a joyful and generous person. He was also very gifted with technology. He put together a website detailing various Eucharistic miracles, calling the Eucharist our “highway to heaven.” He loved technology and was gifted in using it, but he also knew that technology could not satisfy the deepest desires of the human heart.
Editor’s note: Bl. Carlo Acutis’ canonization was originally planned for April 27. Following the death of Pope Francis, the canonization has been postponed. A new date was not set as of press time.
Soon, the first millennial saint will be canonized: Bl. Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at just 15 years old from leukemia. He is quickly becoming a favorite heavenly friend for young people. He often wore sneakers, played video games (though he limited how much he played) and was a joyful and generous person. He was also very gifted with technology. He put together a website detailing various Eucharistic miracles, calling the Eucharist our “highway to heaven.” He loved technology and was gifted in using it, but he also knew that technology could not satisfy the deepest desires of the human heart.
I believe he is a great intercessor and heavenly friend for teenagers today. Many parents say it can be hard to raise teenagers, but teens know that it is hard to be one! There is a lot of pressure to fit in or to compromise one’s convictions as they age. Life can be hard for them.
We are in the Jubilee Year of Hope. Pope Francis spoke about the gift of the young during the Jubilee: “Signs of hope are also needed by those who are the very embodiment of hope, namely, the young. Sadly, they often see their dreams and aspirations frustrated. We must not disappoint them, for the future depends on their enthusiasm. It is gratifying to see the energy they demonstrate, for example, by rolling up their sleeves and volunteering to help when disasters strike and people are in need.” (Spes Non Confundit 12)
The pope then goes on to describe the various challenges that drain hope away from the young as they deal with depression or self-destructive behaviors.
One quote of Bl. Carlo Acutis that is important for teens is, “Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God.” There is a lot of sadness with teens, even as they have so much life and energy within them. Sometimes they can feel it get sucked away by the trials and anxieties of the world. I think some of the sadness is that they look too much at themselves.
The culture bombards these young men and women with images that can damage their sense of self as they are pressured to conform to those who are prettiest, fastest, strongest, smartest, etc. With so much social media usage, this can become even more challenging. So many images prompt them to look at themselves with downcast eyes as they feel that they do not measure up in one way or another.
Happiness is looking toward God. These words of Bl. Carlo Acutis are wonderful words for any teen. He is not just a future saint. He is also a teen. He would have experienced many challenges and temptations that were normal for a teen of his time. But he kept looking toward God, and this was the source of happiness in his life. He knew himself to be loved by God, and he loved him in return. He discovered the purpose of his life: “To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.”
Carlo Acutis is a great reminder that the young are not only the future of the Church, but the present of the Church. His witness brought his family and friends to faith. His gifts with technology have led many to discover the miraculous treasure of the Eucharist. Let’s thank the Lord for this teen. Let’s thank him for all the teens in the Church. May their hope be renewed by Jesus as they look at him who is always lovingly looking at them!
View the website on Eucharistic Miracles created by Bl. Carlo Acutis here.
English: https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html
Spanish: https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/es/Liste/list.html
Father Andy Laframboise is pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Reese and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar and director of priestly vocations. He holds a licentiate in Sacred Theology in Marriage and Family Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
