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Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Pope Francis recognized May 23, 2024, the second miracle needed for the canonization of Italian Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He is pictured in an undated photo. (CNS photo/courtesy Sainthood Cause of Carlo Acutis)

Here comes a saint who gives parents hope


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window, Saints

Carlo Acutis has been called “God’s Influencer.”

He was born in 1991. He played the saxophone. He enjoyed video games and Pokémon. As a child and as a teen, he loved Jesus and the Eucharist. He showed kindness to those who had less than he did. He brought others closer to God.

Sadly, he was only 15 when he died of leukemia—not so long ago, in 2006. But even though Carlo Acutis lived a short life, it was a powerful one.

Now the Vatican has announced that Carlo will be canonized a saint. People around the world will have the chance to learn more about this young man who loved Jesus so much. I’m excited for them.

I can’t remember when Blessed Carlo Acutis first caught my attention. But ever since then, we have crossed paths from time to time. Every time he enters my sphere, I am filled with curiosity about this young man, along with gratitude for the life he lived and hope for young people everywhere.

I would have been intrigued by him regardless of where I am in life. But as a mother of teen boys, I find such hope and power in his story.

Carlo shows us that you can live for God even in this modern era. He reminds us that you can become a saint without founding a religious order or dying as a martyr or doing something that seems remarkable and significant. You can become a saint by living the life God invites you to live.

Carlo was raised and baptized by his Catholic parents, but in many ways he shaped his own faith journey as he came to love Jesus in the Eucharist. As a teen, he created a website dedicated to Eucharistic miracles, and he lived life for God—all while enjoying life as a teen, too. His life is inspiring thousands—and bringing people closer to God.

And his story means so much to me as a mother today. It’s not easy to keep yourself on a path to holiness, never mind your own children. There are temptations and pitfalls all around. Trying to navigate dynamic, evolving technology with your children can feel impossible.

Our children today are forced to mature faster in some ways and not fast enough in others. It’s a tense time, a violent time, a confusing time. But there are beacons of light and faith, and stories like Carlo’s serve as a beautiful reminder that God is with us. We are called to do our best as parents. But we also have to trust that our children will find their paths. I take comfort in remembering that Jesus is relentless in his love for them, and he will never stop trying to reach them.

At such a young age, Carlo was able to take technology and create a tool to bring people closer to God. He was also able to play video games and enjoy other teen activities—and still keep Jesus central in his heart. He gave to those who were poor and needy. He received Communion daily. He was kind and generous and had fun, and he found his way home to God.

“God has written a unique and unrepeatable story for each of us, but he lets us write the ending,” Carlo Acutis said.

We have that chance to write the ending. What a wonderful example for teens—and for all of us—that everything is possible, that God loves us each as we are, and that he wants us to find our way. God will help us on that path, however we choose to write that story—for and with him.

Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

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