October 12: Saint Carlo Acutis
A Model for Young People
Through his life, he showed that holiness is not reserved only for priests or religious, but can be lived by anyone — even at school, in the family or in front of a computer screen. He was able to speak about God to his peers using the language of technology, passion and friendship. His coherence between faith and daily life, his willingness to do good and his faith deeply rooted in the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary make him a model for young people of our time.
This is Carlo Acutis, a young man of Italian origin, born on May 3, 1991, in London to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano. He spent the first months of his life in the British capital where he was baptized on May 18 at the parish of Our Lady of Dolours. When he was only a few months old, the family returned to Milan. There, from an early age, Carlo showed a bright intelligence and a contagious joy in attending school — first at a private institution and later with the Marcelline Sisters, closer to home.
His spiritual life took a clear and decisive direction from a very young age. At only seven years old, he received, with special permission, his First Holy Communion in a cloistered monastery in Bernaga di Perego — an event that deeply marked his life. From that moment on, the Eucharist became the beating heart of his existence. He attended Mass every day and, when it was not possible, made a spiritual communion. He often said: “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.”
In 2003, he received the sacrament of Confirmation at the Milanese church of Santa Maria Segreta. He attended the Jesuit classical high school Leone XIII Institute, where he stood out not only for his intellectual abilities but also for his generosity and altruism. Despite his school commitments, he found time to teach catechism to parish children, contribute to his community’s website and organize volunteer activities.
The figure of Saint Francis of Assisi deeply influenced his spirituality. The family’s summer vacations in Assisi were not only moments of leisure but also of profound inner growth. It was there that Carlo deepened his love for creation, humility, and service to the poor: without seeking attention, he helped the needy, foreigners, and the homeless, often giving them his own savings.
The Virgin Mary held a special place in his heart; he prayed the Rosary daily, consecrated himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and used his computer to design a digital layout to spread devotion to her. His faith was concrete and expressed itself in daily choices of consistency, humility and service.
In September 2006, at just 15 years old, Carlo suddenly fell ill with an aggressive form of leukemia. At first, the illness was mistaken for a simple flu, but his condition soon worsened and he was taken to San Gerardo Hospital in Monza. During those difficult days, he consciously offered his suffering for the Pope and for the Church. He died peacefully on October 12, 2006, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him. His funeral was held in Milan, at the church of Santa Maria Segreta, and his body was later transferred to Assisi — the city he loved so deeply. In 2019, his remains were placed in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation (Santuario della Spogliazione), where they rest today.
Carlo’s witness is now a light for new generations. His message invites everyone to look beyond passing things, to live with their gaze turned toward Heaven, cultivating the beauty of faith with the simple loving heart of one who has encountered Christ in his life.