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| Blessed Carlo with the Eucharist |
Carlo showed an interest from an early age in religious practices and asked his Polish nanny many questions about the faith. When he was seven he received his First Holy Communion. His love for Jesus was evident by his prayers either said before Mass in front of the Tabernacle or after Mass. He is known for saying, "To always be close to Jesus that is my life plan."
Carlo had a deep love for Jesus, but he was also very much a regular kid. He loved soccer, his friends, playing video games, and being a computer whiz. His deep, living faith was woven into his 20th & 21st century life.
Many who knew him considered him a genius with the computer. His skill level was so developed that at age eleven he began creating a website which catalogued Eucharistic miracles from around the world. He completed it in 2005. The website's link is located below this article.
Carlo called the Sacrament of the Eucharist, "My highway to heaven." He tried to consistently practice Eucharistic devotion and believed that "By standing before the Eucharistic Lord we become holy." Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen who is also in the process of canonization said something similar, "During the Holy Hour we grow more and more into His likeness."(Jesus).
Of course Carlo had his favorite saints and places. St. Francis of Assisi and the town of Assisi was a special favorite. Other favorites were saints that were young like him: St. Tarcisius, St. Bernadette Soubirous, Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
In 2006, a fulminating leukemia ravaged the body of this fifteen year old young man who loved Jesus deeply. He died on October 12, after having offered his sufferings to Our Lord for Pope Benedict XVI and the Church. His family and friends, all who knew him and his Eucharistic miracles website were grief stricken. He requested that he be buried in Assisi. His body resides in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Assisi, Italy.
In 2013 the process of canonization was begun. He was declared venerable in 2018 and a miracle was confirmed which allowed him to be beatified on October 10, 2020. Before his beatification, his tomb was opened, and his body was found to be intact. He was dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a sweater as requested, a true teenager! His witness to holiness is a truly uplifting one. A teen of his times who chose to follow Jesus. We can hope that in the next few years he will be declared a saint. It would be wonderful to attend his canonization. I hope some of you will consider it.
Below, I have listed many websites which include a fuller picture of Blessed Carlo Acutis' life. There is something in his story for everyone, old and young. May he bless us from heaven and keep each one of us "young at heart," true lovers of Jesus. A novena prayer is included. Your Catholic bookstores and Amazon have numerous biographies of him. I can not recommend one yet, as I am only getting to know him better myself. Let's ask him to give us a greater love for the Eucharistic Lord as we finish up our Lent of 2022.
Official Prayer: Carlo Acutis.
Oh Father,
who has given us the ardent testimony,
of the young Blessed Carlo Acutis,
who made the Eucharist the core of his life
and the strength of his daily commitments
so that everybody may love You above all else,
let him soon be
counted among the Saints in Your Church.
Confirm my faith,
nurture my hope,
strengthen my charity,
in the image of young Carlo
who, growing in these virtues,
now lives with You.
Grant me the grace that I need
I trust in You, Father,
and your Beloved Son Jesus,
in the Virgin Mary, our Dearest Mother,
and in the intervention of Your Blessed Carlo Acutis.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Blessed Carlo, Pray for Us!
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