When we think of saints, we often picture people who lived long ago—holy men and women who grew old in their faith or faced persecution for believing in God.
But St. Carlo Acutis was different. He was a teenager—a boy who loved computers, video games, and the internet—who lived not centuries ago but in our own modern time. And this year, in September 2025, Carlo became the first millennial to be canonized a saint.
Born in 1991 and passing away in 2006 at just 15 years old, Carlo reminds us that holiness is possible even for young people in our own time.
Carlo loved computers, coding, and video games—but he used his gifts to serve God. He once said,
“The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.”
He believed deeply that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist—body, blood, soul, and divinity—and he wanted others to believe it too. From his home in Italy, Carlo created a website that catalogued Eucharistic miracles from around the world. The project gathered more than 160 stories of hosts and chalices that showed physical signs of Christ’s real presence after consecration.
An Example of One Miracle
In Sokółka, Poland (2008), a consecrated host was accidentally dropped during Communion. The priest placed it in water to dissolve, following Church practice. Days later, red fibres appeared on the host. Scientific testing confirmed that the substance was human heart tissue—showing signs of life at the moment it was examined. Carlo included this and many other cases in his digital exhibition to help people rediscover the mystery of the Eucharist.
To explore these stories, you can still visit the website he built: miracolieucaristici.org
From Being Faith to Sainthood
When Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia, he offered his suffering for the Pope and for the Church. He faced his illness with peace and joy, saying,
“I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting even a minute on things that displease God.”
After his death, miracles began to be reported through his intercession. A boy in Brazil with a rare digestive disorder was instantly healed after his family prayed to Carlo. Years later, a young woman in Italy recovered completely from a severe head injury after prayers through his intercession.
Carlo’s body was later found to be incorrupt—meaning it had not decomposed as is usual after death. The Church sees this as a sign of extraordinary holiness, though not itself a required miracle.
In recognition of these miracles and his heroic faith, Pope Francis declared him a saint in 2025.
How Can We Inspire Our Children through St. Carlo’s Example?
- Talk about technology as a tool for good. Ask, “How can I use my computer or tablet to share something kind, creative, or faith-filled?”
- Explore Eucharistic miracles. Look together at Carlo’s website and discuss what it means that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
- Mark his feast day (October 12). Attend Mass as a family or have a simple prayer time thanking God for everyday blessings.
- Reflect as a class or family. Write or draw: “What gifts has God given me, and how can I use them for good?”
