This week at school in our whole school liturgy, we remembered Blessed Carlo Acutis who was beatified last October. Carlo was born on 3rd May 1991 and died on 12th October 2006 (aged 15). He was beatified on 10th October 2020 and Pope Francis has declared his feast day to be celebrated each year on the 12th of October. Carlo was a modern-day saint, who wore t-shirts and jeans, and enjoyed playing football and liked PlayStation. He had great devotion for Jesus and Mary.
Blessed Carlo lived a life united with Jesus. He had a simple programme of life in his relationship with Jesus which included five practices;
Frequent reception of the Eucharist: Carlo loved to participate in Mass every day. With smiling confidence, he declared, “You go to heaven if you participate in the Mass every day.”
Eucharistic Adoration: Carlo’s relationship with Jesus in the mass was deepened in Eucharistic Adoration – a short time spent before and after mass, and for longer periods when he could.
Guidance of a spiritual father and regular confession: Carlo’s desire to be a saint is seen most clearly in his seeking out a spiritual guide to Our Father, to whom he could confess regularly.
Devotion to the Blessed Mother through recitation of the Rosary and discovering the lives of the saints:
Carlo felt Mary was close to him, just as he was close to Jesus in the Eucharist. He had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and the saints.
Acts of charity, small or large:
From a very young age, Carlo showed himself to be generous in self-giving. His charity was most often hidden and worked through small acts, something very simple. These were Carlo’s five ways to holiness of life.
As a school we are going to reflect in Blessed Carlo’s ways of life and as Christian discipleships will adapt to his ways of life to encounter Christ’s personal love and hear his call.
