ST. CARLO ACUTIS: A MODERN SAINT WITH A SALESIAN HEART

The Church joyfully welcomed the first millennial, or Gen Y, saint to the altars – St. Carlo Acutis –  a radiant model of sanctity for the modern era, as he was canonized on 7 September 2025 in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome. In his short life he created websites documenting “miracles” as a means of spreading Catholic teaching, leading some to nickname him ‘God’s influencer’. Often described as the first saint in “jeans and sneakers”, Carlo loved soccer and video games, played the saxophone, cared deeply for animals and embraced life with the natural joy and curiosity of youth. His canonization isn’t historic just for Catholics, it is a cultural nod to younger generations harnessing social media to make faith a part of their lives. Instead of using it to escape or doom scroll, Acutis used the internet as a tool to spread his faith. In the homily during the canonization of Carlo Acutis, Pope Leo XIV stated: “Carlo grew up naturally integrating prayer, sport, study and charity into his days as a child and young man.”

Born on 3 May 1991 in London to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, Carlo was baptized on 18 May at Our Lady of Dolours Church in Chelsea, receiving the name Carlo Maria Antonio. A few months later his family moved to Milan, Italy, where Carlo’s interest in computer programming flourished alongside a deepening love for God. Despite coming from a family that wasn’t particularly religious, Carlo’s devotion sparked a renewal of faith in his parents. At age 15, he was diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia and passed away on 12 October 2006. Fulfilling his wish he was buried in Assisi, drawn by his profound love for St. Francis.

Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Pontifical Legate for the Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Mary of the Angels, presided over the beatification ceremony and highlighted Carlo’s virtues in his homily: “He was a normal, simple, spontaneous, friendly young man – just look at his photograph. He loved nature and animals, played soccer, had many friends and was drawn to modern forms of social communication. Passionate about computers and self-taught, he built programs to transmit the Gospel, communicate values and reveal beauty, as Pope Francis said. He had the gift of attracting others and was seen as an example.”

Carlo’s profound love for God, his devotion to the Eucharist and Mary, his use of technology for evangelization, his charitable spirit, acceptance of suffering and unwavering commitment to holiness – all these reflected key aspects of Salesian spirituality that Don Bosco championed. His mother, Antonia Salzano, recalled how Carlo immersed himself in Don Bosco’s life and writings, even photocopying a book that explained the Catechism of St. Pius X through episodes from Don Bosco’s experiences. Together, they visited the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, attending Mass, praying at Don Bosco’s tomb, and seeking the intercession of St. Dominic Savio, whom Carlo admired for his dedication to catechesis. In this Carlo embodied a contemporary realization of Don Bosco’s vision for young people’s holiness, becoming in many ways, a modern “Dominic Savio” – faithful, courageous and a model for his generation.

1. A Young Saint on Fire for God

From an early age, Carlo Acutis displayed a deep and abiding love for God – one that radiated through his life and inspired those around him. His heart was captivated by Jesus, and he lived with the conviction that holiness was not reserved to monks or mystics but was attainable by everyone, even a tech-savvy teenager in the modern world.

Pope Francis reflected on Carlo’s example, saying, “His witness shows today’s young people that true happiness is found by putting God first and serving him in our brothers, especially the least” (Angelus address, 11 Oct. 2020). His final words were a testimony to his serene faith: “Mama, don’t be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life, and we don’t need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in the eternal life.”

Carlo believed that prayer should focus on holiness: “The only thing we have to ask God for in prayer is the desire to be holy.” For Carlo, the highest good was always God and His will for our lives. “Happiness is looking towards God, and sadness is looking towards yourself,” he explained. His simple motto, “God and not me” (Dio, non io), expressed the core of his spirituality. He also reminded others, “Money is only ragged paper… what counts in life is the nobility of the soul, that is, the way that one loves God and loves one’s neighbour.”

Confession and self-mastery were central to Carlo’s spiritual life. He compared the soul to a hot air balloon: “If by chance there is a mortal sin, the soul falls to the ground. Confession is like the fire underneath the balloon enabling the soul to rise again… It is important to go to confession often.” He knew that small sins could separate us from God, emphasizing, “What does it matter if you can win a thousand battles if you cannot win against your own corrupt passions? The real battle is with ourselves.”

Carlo studied the Bible daily, calling it his “compass”, and he read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He encouraged his catechetical students and peers to read even small portions of Scripture each day. Carlo’s love for God extended outward. Rajesh Mohur, a family employee, recalled, “When Carlo started to explain to me the Word of God, the Bible, he did so with sweetness. It was as if we had already gone up to Heaven.” Carlo’s guidance even led Mohur to baptism. For Carlo, the purpose of life was clear: “Find God and you will find the meaning of your life.”

We have been speaking and emphasizing, especially in GC 29, regarding the centrality of Christ. The Chapter reaffirmed this foundational commitment with the theme: “Salesians, passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to the young”. We know how an unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ remains the cornerstone of our Salesian charism. Authentic Salesian identity is rooted in a deep, personal relationship with Christ, inspiring a life of service to the young, especially the most marginalized. Echoing Pope Francis’ message to the Chapter, the Salesians are called to be fully embraced by the love of the Lord and to serve others selflessly, just as Don Bosco did in his time. Carlo Acutis is a ‘symbol’ of every youth today who yearns for this centrality of Christ.

2. Anchored in the Eucharist and in Our Lady

For Carlo Acutis the Eucharist was the true path to holiness, which he often called “the highway to heaven”. From the age of seven he attended daily Mass and spent time in Eucharistic adoration, encountering Christ in a deeply personal way. He believed that through daily Mass one could “go straight to heaven” and grow ever closer to Jesus. “The more we receive the Eucharist the more we will become like Jesus, so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven,” he affirmed. Carlo compared this transformation to sunlight: “When we face the sun we get a tan … but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.”

At eleven, Carlo created a website cataloguing approved Eucharistic miracles, including the miracle of Lanciano, as a way to share his deep passion with the world. His mother, Antonia Salzano, recalled, “He used to say, ‘There are queues in front of concerts and football matches, but I don’t see these queues in front of the Blessed Sacrament.’ For him, the Eucharist was the centre of his life.” From that young age, Carlo encouraged his family and friends to embrace the Eucharist, faithfully attending daily Mass, spending time in adoration and praying fervently for the souls in Purgatory.

At a time when many of his contemporaries were walking away from the Mass, Carlo found something beautiful in it that attracted him, something divine that he experienced. For Carlo the Eucharist was a threshold experience that enabled him to transcend the border of this world and touch a world beyond. He strongly believed that the Eucharist being the “motorway to heaven,” with each Communion we can come closer to our goal – sanctity.

He also loved the habitual prayer of Eucharistic adoration as a time of intimate communion with the Lord Jesus. Carlo compared his time in adoration of the Eucharist as being like St. John the Apostle who leaned on the Lord’s breast at the Last Supper. For Carlo, we are called to be “Eucharistic souls in which God works those marvels that only He can do.”

Carlo’s devotion to Mary was inseparable from his love for the Eucharist. He prayed the Rosary daily, calling it “the most important appointment of the day” and consecrated himself to her at the age of five at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pompei. Pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima and other Marian shrines inspired him to emulate the faith and sacrifices of the saints. He once said, “The Virgin Mary is the only woman in my life,” and strongly promoted the devotion of the first Saturdays.

It is a fact that Don Bosco’s life deeply influenced Carlo. He visited Don Bosco’s tomb in Turin and studied his writings. Carlo recounted how Don Bosco, deeply devoted to the Eucharist, once multiplied eight remaining Hosts so that all 360 boys attending Mass could receive Communion. Carlo’s own devotion echoed Don Bosco’s prophetic dream of 30 May 1862 in which the Pope’s fleet was saved by anchoring to two pillars: one bearing the image of Mary Help of Christians, and the other a Host inscribed with the words “Salvation of the Faithful”. Carlo wholeheartedly embraced this vision, making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven” and Rosary the “shortest staircase to heaven”. He stated, “After the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Rosary is the strongest weapon to fight the devil,” and he recognized “the heart of Jesus and the heart of Mary are indissolubly linked.”

3. Using Technology to Point to the Divine

Carlo Acutis, known today as “God’s influencer” and “cyber-apostle of the Eucharist”, is one of the most inspiring witnesses of faith for our times. Carlo used his passion for technology to lead others to Christ, showing that holiness is possible even in the digital world. Carlo’s creative genius as a self-taught programmer became a powerful tool for evangelization. After having developed at the age of eleven the website to document Eucharistic miracles, he tried eventually cataloguing 187 Eucharistic miracles in just two and a half years. He also designed parish websites, created an online exhibition on Marian apparitions, and produced content on topics like angels, demons and the last things. He saw technology not as a distraction but as a tool to share the Gospel, to connect people and to communicate beauty.

What made Carlo stand out was not just his talent but the way he lived technology with freedom. He warned his peers about the dangers of pornography, which he described as something that “hypnotizes its victims” and urged them to master their passions with God’s grace. His mother recalls how he was inspired by Don Bosco’s preventive system, recognizing both the opportunities and dangers of digital media. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit, held Carlo as an example for young people, writing: “Carlo was well aware that the whole apparatus of communication, advertising and social networking can be used to lull us, to make us addicted. Yet he knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty. Carlo didn’t fall into the trap.”

Carlo Acutis can truly be an example to each of us, both personally and in our mission. On a personal level he invites us to use the internet and social media as tools for religious motivation and spiritual enrichment. It is worth examining ourselves: how much time do we spend each day on social media and the internet, and what portion of that is dedicated to faith-based content? Secondly, Carlo also inspires us to become digital missionaries, using social media to lead others toward God. In this we definitely have our Father Don Bosco as a powerful inspiration. He embraced the new methods of his time, such as the print media, to spread Christian values, foster love for God and promote devotion to Mary Help of Christians. In the same spirit Carlo stands as a modern disciple: a young man who blended holiness with creativity, faith with innovation and who showed that sanctity is possible in everyday life. This again calls for personal reflection: Am I a channel through which others come to know God, especially through my presence on social media? What kind of messages and videos do I post, ‘like’ and share? Do they inspire others? Carlo used digital media to awaken faith in hearts. Today many, especially the younger generation, are searching for meaning in a world full of distractions. May we always ensure that what we share online uplifts rather than disturbs, upholds human dignity and inspires others both ethically and spiritually. Carlo Acutis teaches us that technology, when used wisely, can become a pathway to God. At the same time, his life also reminds us that the greatest “connection” we can make is not “online” but with Christ, truly present in the Eucharist.

4. Eucharist-inspired Charity

Carlo exemplified true beauty through his holiness and the charity that marked every aspect of his life. His compassion reached out to immigrants, beggars, the disabled, the elderly and even classmates from broken families. He had a special gift of empathy, always seeking to include and defend those who felt left out or vulnerable.

Carlo was a faithful friend. At school he stood up for children who were bullied, especially those with disabilities. He also had a deep love for the homeless. Rather than offering leftovers, Carlo would share hot meals from his family’s table. He even used his first savings to buy a sleeping bag for a homeless man he often saw on his way to Holy Mass. With his allowance, he purchased things to distribute to those in need. His generosity left a lasting impression on those he helped. Carlo treated everyone with dignity, regardless of their background. He greeted school doormen and janitors by name, helped the family’s housekeeper with ironing so she could return home earlier and interacted warmly with custodians and peers alike. His humility made him admired and relatable, as he viewed everyone as equals and fostered a true spirit of brotherhood.

Fr. Roberto Gazzaniga, a Jesuit priest, praised Carlo’s extraordinary qualities and his pastoral spirit, noting how easily he connected with classmates and teachers, especially those who felt isolated. His charity and empathy were the fruits of his Eucharistic devotion. For Carlo the Eucharist was not only the centre of his life but also the source of his love for others. He once said: “The only thing that will make us truly beautiful in God’s eyes is the way that we have loved him and our brothers.”

Article 10 of our Constitutions says that what characterizes the core of our identity is pastoral charity: “The Salesian spirit is summed up and centred in pastoral charity, characterized by that youthful dynamism which was revealed so strongly in our Founder and at the beginnings of our Society.” Don Bosco’s life radiated charity in every gesture and decision. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the care of young people, especially those abandoned or in need, offering not just guidance but a home filled with love and hope. For him, charity was more than generosity: it was a way of seeing the world, a commitment to serve others with patience, joy and unwavering dedication. His example continues to inspire people everywhere to turn compassion into action and love into a way of life.

5. Accepting Suffering

At just 15 Carlo Acutis was diagnosed with an untreatable form of leukemia. Rather than despair, he offered his suffering for others, praying, “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope and the Church.” He faced his illness with extraordinary courage and a spirit of deep Christian surrender. Though his family prayed for the miracle of healing, they came to recognize that while God does not always save us from death, He saves us in death.

Carlo’s selflessness shone brightest in his final months. Despite his intense pain, he continued to think of others. When a doctor asked about his suffering, Carlo replied, “There are people who suffer much more than I.” Nurses recalled how he would avoid waking his mother at night so as not to make her worry further: “She is very tired as well, and she will only worry even more about me.”

Carlo was not afraid to die. “With the incarnation of Jesus, death becomes life, and there’s no need to escape: in eternal life, something extraordinary awaits us.” As his illness progressed, he summed up his short but fruitful life with one final, luminous truth: “I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on things that do not please God.” Even in the shadow of death, his hope was rooted in eternity: “Our goal must be infinite, not the finite. The infinite is our homeland. Heaven has been waiting for us for ever.”

Christian faith teaches us that suffering is never meaningless, especially when we are able to attach reasons/goals to it. It can act as a path to growth, compassion and closeness to God, both for the one who suffers as well as others. Through the Cross, Jesus transformed suffering into a redemptive act, offering hope and healing to humanity. We are also invited to unite our daily trials and sufferings with His, discovering in them a hidden invitation to love deeply, to grow more in compassion and to trust wholeheartedly in divine providence. St. Paul says, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake… filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24). Not because Christ’s sacrifice was incomplete, but because we are called to share in His redemptive work through our own lives. When we are able to do this, we are also inspiring young people to meet challenges with courage and trust in God’s providence, teaching them through our lives that suffering, when embraced with patience and hope, could become a source of holiness and strength.

6. Conclusion

Today, Saint Carlo Acutis stands as an inspiring model for young people striving to navigate the complexities of the digital age while remaining faithful to the Gospel. His life demonstrates that holiness is not reserved to a select few but is within reach of anyone who follows Christ with sincerity, regardless of age or vocation.

Carlo’s witness challenges young Catholics to use their specific gifts and talents for the glory of God and the spread of the Gospel. As Carlo cautioned and Pope Francis quoted, “Everyone is born as an original, but many people end up dying as photocopies.” Carlo’s life is a call to embrace our unique vocation to holiness and to walk step by step toward heaven, guided by love.

Carlo lived true Salesian spirit with a Eucharistic heart, used modern tools to evangelize, and loved others with concrete acts of charity. Carlo’s life offers us a simple yet profound “kit for becoming a saint” – marked by love for God, Eucharistic devotion, Marian piety, charity, innovative evangelization and patient endurance of suffering, which stand as modern echoes of Don Bosco’s Salesian spirit, inspiring young people to pursue holiness boldly in today’s world. May his witness inspire us to walk the same path of sanctity as he did and enable us to guide the young along the path to holiness.

Yours affectionately in Don Bosco,

 

 

Fr. Jose Koyickal sdb
Provincial