Carlo Acutis was a devoted Catholic teenager who used his interest and skills in technology to share the Gospel. Carlo was beatified in 2020 and is on the path to sainthood. His life story and his legacy are an inspiration for today’s young disciples. This article shares a biography of Blessed Carlo and offers lessons and an activity for Catholic kids.
Carlo Acutis grew up in Italy, although he was born in London, England. He was born on May 3, 1991. After a battle with leukemia, Carlo died at the age of only 15 in 2006. Even though his life was very short, he had a great impact on the Church in his few years on Earth. In life and death, Carlo is remembered for his deep faith, his love for the Eucharist, and his commitment to using his talents for the benefits of others and the Church. His life story is an example of how young people can live a life of holiness and devotion, regardless of their age or circumstances.
Carlo Acutis was beatified on October 10, 2020, a significant step in the process of canonization, or the path towards sainthood. Carlo would become the first millennial saint. His story continues to inspire millions worldwide.
In life and death, Carlo is remembered for his deep faith, his love for the Eucharist, and his commitment to using his talents for the benefits of others and the Church.
Teach your students about the steps to sainthood with this canonization resource.
The story of Carlo Acutis is particularly relevant for today’s young people. One might not think of a modern fifteen-year-old boy as a particularly saintly figure, but saintly Carlo was deeply connected to the interests of modern youth. He loved video games and computers. But rather than seeing these as distractions, Carlo leveraged technology to share his Catholic faith with others.
One of the ways he did this was by creating a website to catalog Eucharistic miracles around the world. At a time when many people were still unfamiliar with the internet's potential, Carlo was a pioneer in using digital platforms for evangelization. His innovative approach to integrating faith with technology demonstrates that you don’t have to choose between being modern and being spiritual—you can be both. And you can follow your own unique interests and passions in your efforts to share the Gospel as a modern young person.
Today’s disciples can take from Carlo’s life story the importance of living out your faith every day. Carlo attended Mass and prayed like so many Catholic teenagers; but he also actively sought ways to grow in his relationship with God and to share his faith with others. He loved to pray the Rosary from a young age. He found a way to make faith a central part of his daily life.
Carlo’s deep love for the Eucharist was the foundation of his spiritual life. He attended Mass and spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as often as possible. He invited family members and friends to join him at Mass and taught others about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Carlo said, “The Eucharist is my Highway to Heaven.” For young Catholics, Carlo’s devotion highlights the significance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith. For Carlo, it wasn’t just about attending Mass, but also about truly understanding and cherishing the sacrament. Carlo’s example encourages today’s disciples to appreciate the Eucharist as the source and summit of their life as Christians.
Carlo’s story also shows that you can integrate faith into all aspects of life. Carlo used his skills and hobbies to serve others and grow spiritually. For young Catholics into technology, this might mean creating a blog about their faith journey or using social media to share positive messages. Young people can be encouraged to look at everyday activities through the lens of faith to see how they can be used to glorify God.
Carlo Acutis’s faithful use of technology is a powerful example of ways that modern tools can be harnessed to share the Gospel. In today’s digital age, there are countless ways to use technology to evangelize, spread positive messages, and engage with others. Whether it’s through creating faith-based content, participating in online communities, or simply staying informed about religious events, young Catholics can follow Carlo’s lead by using technology as a force for good.
Consider ways that Catholic kids could leverage digital technology to share the Catholic faith with others, following the example of Blessed Carlo Acutis, in this printable activity and prayer for digital discipleship.
There are many ways to share the story of Blessed Carlo in the religious education classroom to inspire young disciples. Here are a few ideas for catechists and teachers.
Catechists and teachers might share Carlo’s Eucharistic Miracles of the World web site and allow students to explore before creating digital projects inspired by Carlo’s work. Some ideas might include designing a website or creating a video that highlights their own experiences of faith. Host a discussion about Carlo Acutis’s life can be a great way to deepen students’ understanding. Questions such as “How did Carlo use his interests to help others?” or “What can we learn from Carlo’s devotion to the Eucharist?” can spark meaningful conversations and reflections.
Encouraging students to reflect on how Carlo Acutis’s example can influence their own lives is also important. Reflection activities might include journaling about personal experiences of faith or setting goals for how they might integrate faith into their daily activities.
Carlo Acutis’s life offers a powerful example of how a young person can live out their faith with dedication and creativity in the 21st century. His story is not just inspiring but also a practical guide for how young Catholics can integrate their faith into their daily lives and find ways to live their faith actively and meaningfully in today’s world. By exploring these resources, young Catholics can continue to deepen their understanding of Carlo Acutis and find inspiration in his ordinary, yet extraordinary, life.
Looking for more resources about popular saints for kids? Let Catholic kids and their families be inspired by these and other Catholic saints any time of year!
