“Carlo Acutis was just like any of us—a child with an open mind and an open heart. Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991 and baptized just a few weeks later. Carlo and his family moved to Milan in September of 1991.

Carlo was a practicing Catholic at a very young age, even though his parents were not very religious. Carlo was a shining light in the community and was recognized by many for caring deeply for his faith and especially for the Eucharist. Carlo, like all Catholics believed that Jesus is present in the Eucharist and being in his presence was a very special part of Carlo’s faith life. Because of his devotion to the Eucharist Carlo received his First Holy Communion as soon as he was able, at the age of 7.

 

At school in Milan, Carlo was like most kids, but he was especially sensitive to the needs of those around him. He was concerned with those who were struggling, whether it was a child whose family was getting a divorce, a student with a disability or one who was being bullied. In his neighborhood, Carlo was concerned with those less fortunate in the streets and would try and help them when he was able.

Carlo was a “tech teen” known to spend a good amount of time on the computer, PlayStation or with comics. Carlo was very skilled with computers and computer coding. Carlo took his love of the Eucharist and his love of computer programming and built his own website. The website documented the Eucharistic Miracles from all over the world. He completed the entire website at the age of 11!

The Acutis family was fortunate enough to be able to travel to many places, but Carlo’s favorite place to go was to Assisi, Italy. Assisi is of course the home of where not one, but two saints, St. Clare of Assisi and St. Francis of Assisi were born and are now buried within a mile of each other, and Carlo was known to be a frequent visitor to these sites.

At the age of 15 Carlo Acutis was diagnosed with Leukemia but continued to be very strong in his faith in Jesus. Even through all the pain Carlo would continue to preach his love of the Eucharist and was known to say, “there are people who suffer much more than me.” Carlo Died on October 12, 2006.

“On October 10, 2020, at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy, Carlo was beatified.” – carloacutisparish.org