November 6, 2020, Blessed Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis: An Ordinary Teen with an Extraordinary Life

Mass naming Blessed Carlo Acutis Co-Patron of Our Lady of Sorrows School

Friday, November 6, 2020
Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Girls and Boys,

Today I would like to introduce you to a young man, a teenager, Carlo Acutis, whose image is before us. On Saturday, October 10th, he was named a “Blessed” by Pope Francis, the final step before being named a “Saint.” I hope that he would be a model for us on our journey to heaven. What was so special about this young man of just fifteen years of age? Let’s look at his life.

Carlo Acutis was born and baptized in London, England in the church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Shortly after, his family returned to their native Italy, to the city of Milan. If you saw him on the street, he appeared no different than anyone else. He did all the things that most boys his age do. He loved music. He played the saxophone; He was a soccer player and swimmer. He loved nature and animals. I always had a pet dog. He was a jokester who kept the class in stitches. He had many friends. By all accounts he was an ordinary boy, but his parents and everyone who met him saw something extraordinary in him.

From the age of three he had passion for God. This was amazing since his parents did not go to church. His mother Antonia said that before Carlo, she had been to church only three times in her life…. for her first communion, her confirmation, and her wedding. Little Carlo would be attracted to go into every church he saw…he knew Jesus was there. His parents were surprised by this attraction, but they thought, this wasn’t a bad thing, so they would go in with him.

Through his example his mother and father returned to the Church. His mom even studied the faith so that she could answer Carlo’s many questions about God. After he received his first communion, he went to Mass every day.

He would walk to church himself. Before or after Mass he would stay a while in church in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. You see, Carlo was convinced that in order to love people and do good, one must draw strength from the Lord, especially through the Eucharist. He called Holy Communion his highway to heaven. He went to confession every week and prayed the Rosary every day. He made it his mission to attract as many people as possible to Jesus. His faithfulness to the Mass, Confession and daily prayer were a bright light that amazed family and friends.

Carlo was born into a wealthy family and his parents could afford to employ people to do housekeeping and other services, but Carlo decided to live a simple life. He would get up a little earlier, make his own bed and clean his own room. He did not want the housekeepers to pick up after him. Inspired by the simplicity of St. Francis of Assisi, he did not clutter his life with a lot of things. When his mother gave him the latest pair of Nikes that everyone wanted, he was annoyed rather than happy. He told his mom didn’t need them. What he had was enough. With his mother to as his driver, he delivered food, clothes, and blankets to the poor. He used his allowance to buy these things.

In school, he took the side of those who were bullied or picked on, especially those with disabilities. He reached out to friends who were sad because their parents were going through a divorce by inviting them to his own home. He tutored students who were struggling with their studies. Those who did not understand Carlo, sometimes made fun of him but they would eventually respect him.
He had a gift for technology. He saw the internet as a great tool to meet people and spread Christian values. At age of nine, he was already designing websites and programs with the idea to spread the faith, especially about the Eucharist. He would say that for him the Internet was not a way to escape from life, but a way to dialog with others, to learn, and to share. The internet was for Carlo a place to practice respect for others. He rejected digital bullying. He used the internet responsibly without becoming a slave to it.

In his short life, he entrusted himself to the Lord in every circumstance, especially in the most difficult moments. At age 15 he was diagnosed with acute leukemia and offered his suffering for the pope and all the sick. His desire was always to go to heaven. His doctors said that Carlo wasn’t afraid of dying. In fact, when they asked if he were in pain, he said that there were many people who suffer more. A doctor asked him, why are you smiling? He said, I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things that do not please God.” He told his parents that he would like to be buried in Assisi since he loved St. Francis.

The beatification of Charles Acutis is good news that a boy of our time is a beacon of light for those who want to know Christ and live their faith with courage and joy.

For all these reasons, today I am designating Blessed Carlo Acutis as a co-patron of our school. This image will be placed in our main corridor. I hope our faculty and students will come to know him more. I hope that we will go to him with our needs, our concerns. Let him be the heavenly friend of every student of our school. Carlo can teach us how to be a good disciple of the Lord.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us! May you soon be named Saint!