Saint Who?
Saints Who Championed the Eucharist
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Young layman († 2006) Feast: October 12
Carlo was born in the United Kingdom to wealthy Italian parents. His parents moved to Milan when he was small, and there he spent the rest of his short life.
Carlo’s parents were Catholic but not particularly devout. He was often cared for by nannies and babysitters, not all of whom were Catholic, but they were often startled by the young boy’s precocious faith and insightful awareness of God. He dragged his parents to Mass, not the other way around, and was so fascinated by Eucharistic miracles that he talked his parents into taking him to famous sites associated with those miracles.
Carlo was a typical teenage boy in many ways. He loved gaming and hanging out with his friends. But he allowed his faith to direct those loves; he strictly limited himself to one hour of gaming per week (although he longed to play more), and he was concerned when he saw his friends behaving in sinful ways. Since he loved computer programming, he made his own website, which was, of course, dedicated to Eucharistic miracles. Through his gentle but direct words, he helped his parents rediscover the Catholic faith and died a holy and moving death from leukemia.
Lord Jesus, hidden under the appearance of bread,
show us how to lead our loved ones to you through the great gift of the Eucharist.
