Carlo Acutis: The New Millennial Saint of the Eucharist

By TOM DENNEHY

Great crowds gathered from all over the world on September 7th in Rome for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis whose remarkable life continues to inspire, especially young people. In an era dominated by digital innovation and social media, Carlo Acutis stands out as a beacon of faith and virtue. The Italian computer coding teenager, who died of cancer in 2006, is known for his great devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and is the first millennial to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

Carlo Acutis was born on May 3rd. 1991 in London to Italian parents. He grew up in Milan, Italy where his family relocated when he was just a child.

From a young age, Carlos displayed an extraordinary devotion to his Catholic faith. He attended daily mass and received the sacraments regularly and developed a deep love of the Eucharist.

Carlos referred to the Eucharist as “His Highway to Heaven.” His mother had only been to mass three times in her life but she was captivated by her son’s devotion to the Eucharist which led to her conversion.

He prayed regularly before Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament and he allowed Him transform his youthful heart.

He used to say, “If we sit in front of the sun we get sun tans, but if we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.” As a result of regular prayer before The Blessed Sacrament, Carlos was able to reach his full potential and become the person God wanted him to be.

A technological pioneer, Carlos, at the age of 14 years, created a website detailing 130 Eucharistic miracles which have taken place around the world.

All these Eucharistic miracles involve incidents in which the Eucharistic host has turned into human flesh and blood.

When scientifically examined by the world’s top scientists, they are astonished when told they come from a consecrated host. The tests show that the flesh comes from the left ventricle of the heart, the part which pumps the blood around the body and the blood is type AB. Even more astonishing, it is living tissue and the tests show that it is from a heart that has suffered terrible trauma. These miracles show that the words of Jesus come through when He said, “I am the living bread come down from Heaven. He who eats my flesh will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6; 51-59.

Carlos was concerned that people were growing distant from the Church and the sacraments and he wanted to bring them back. His website www. miracolieucaristici.org is a call to shake consciences and many young people throughout the world have had their faith strengthened by his work.

Carlos could not understand why stadiums were full of people and churches were empty. He would say, “They have to see, they have to understand that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.” Carlos understood that we have a foretaste of Heaven on Earth when we receive the Eucharist.

His Final Days

In 2006, at the age of fifteen, Carlos developed a rare type of leukemia. He offered his suffering to God for the Pope and the Church, never wavering in his faith. As he was dying, he said, “I am happy to die, because I

lived my life without wasting even a minute of it on anything unpleasing to God.” He died on October 12, 2006 and was buried in Assisi, a place he loved because of his admiration for St. Francis. Why Carlo Acutis Matters Today. Carlos story is especially relevant to today’s youth. In a world full of distractions, he showed that holiness is not only possible but can be lived with joy, even in the modern world. His life is a testimony that technology and faith are not enemies but can work together to spread God’s love. His recent canonization continues to inspire movements among young people who seek to live out their faith in everyday life. Many parishes, schools and youth groups now look to Carlo as a role model, and devotion to him continues to grow rapidly.

Carlo’s Acutis impact continues to grow rapidly. He is a reminder that sanctity is not about age, status or fame – it’s about love, faith and using God’s gifts to serve God and others. Carlo Acutis is now a powerful intercessor and a digital age evangelist who points the way to Christ.

He is patron saint of the youth, computer programmers and internet users. His feast day is October 12th.