Meet Carlo Acutis: The Millennial Saint for Our Times

Carlo Acutis will be made the Catholic Church’s first saint from the millennium generation during a formal canonization Mass on April 27 in St. Peter’s Square. large crowds of devotees are already gathering To the church in Assisi, Italy, where his remains dressed in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt rest within a shrine.

Here’s more about the teenage boy who is inspiring unusual loyalty.

Who was Carlo Acutis?

Carlo Acutis came into this world on May 3, 1991, in London as part of an affluent Italian clan and spent his formative years in Milan. He embarked upon a profound spiritual path early in life following his First Communion when he was just seven years old. From then on, Carlo made it a habit to attend daily Mass, recite the Rosary, and actively participate in various religious activities. eucharistic adoration .

Although he indulged in typical activities for someone his age—such as trekking outdoors, playing video games, and clowning around with buddies—he also instructed religious education at a nearby church and volunteered to assist those less fortunate who were without homes.

Acutis leveraged his technological skills to develop an online exhibition showcasing over 100 Eucharistic miracles acknowledged by the Church throughout numerous centuries. The exhibit centers on the real presence of Christ, which Catholics hold belief in when it comes to the consecrated bread and wine.

In October 2006, when he was just 15 years old, he became sick. Exactly ten days after falling ill, he passed away from acute leukemia at a hospital in northern Italy. Following his wishes due to his strong dedication, his remains were moved to a cemetery in Assisi. The local medieval saint, St. Francis .

What has led him to be on track for sainthood?

The path toward his sainthood — which involves the formal canonization process — began over ten years ago through the efforts of several priests and friends. It officially commenced not long after. Pope Francis started his papacy in 2013.

In 2018, Acutis was declared "venerable" following the recognition of his exemplary lifestyle by the Church, and his remains were moved to a shrine at Assisi’s Santuario della Spogliazione, an important location associated with Saint Francis’ life.

In 2020, he was proclaimed "blessed" following the recognition from the Vatican office responsible for investigating sainthood cases of a miracle attributed to his intercession—a Brazilian child who experienced an unexplainable recovery.

The previous year, the church advanced his path to sainthood by crediting him with a second miraculous event – the full recovery of a Costa Rican student in Italy who had suffered severe head injuries from a cycling accident. This occurred after the girl’s mother prayed at Acutis’ gravesite.

The canonization mass for Acutis will take place on Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m., in front of the Vatican's St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with the celebration mentioned. Holy Year’s jubilee for teens.

To what extent has Saint Acutis, the first Millennial saint, gained popularity?

Rev. Domenico Sorrentino, who serves as the Bishop of Assisi, mentioned that during the past year, approximately one million pilgrims visited Acutis' shrine in this historic hilltown located in central Italy.

Portraits of Acutis, often depicted wearing a backpack and sporting a wide smile, can be found throughout the town, ranging from small cards to figurines. Recently, a religious souvenir store close to the Vatican showcased a nearly life-size statue of Acutis alongside one of their exhibits. Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

For numerous pilgrims, what attracts them is Acutis' ability to relate as a contemporary teenager.

"It's incredible with regard to this saint, someone so young— we can present him as an example for our community to follow since everyone has the potential to become a saint," stated Reverend Jacinto Bento, a Portuguese clergyman guiding a party of 30 jubilarian pilgrims from the Azores Islands to Assisi last month.

On the same day, Tomaso Barbon from Treviso, located in northern Italy, visited the shrine accompanied by his spouse and their three offspring, including two teenagers.

He comes across as one of our children," Barbon commented about Acutis. "A special prayer for him would be greatly appreciated.

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