It might feel surreal to see a person who has always been interwoven into Academy’s curriculum become a canonized saint before their eyes. Nevertheless, on September 7, Carlo Acutis was canonized as a saint, making history as the first saint coming from the millennial generation.
Being recognized across the world for his dedication to the Eucharist and spreading faith through the internet, Acutis has often been taught in Catholic schools as an important figure and model of faith in the digital age. Now, he is the Patron Saint of the Internet.
Fiona Kaley (‘26) says, “I am so excited about Carlo Acutis becoming a saint. It is easy to think of saints as distant, untouchable people from a long time ago. But, Carlo models how there is still such a beautiful place for God in our modern world. He showed us how to love God deeply, even in times of trial, and a way to share God with others.”
In St.Peter’s Basilica, thousands of people including Acutis’ family gathered to attend his canonization. Acutis is actually the first saint to have his family present at his canonization since St. Maria Goretti in 1950. Additionally, Acutis’ canonization was the first under Pope Leo XIV. Outside Vatican City, over one billion people tuned in to watch the historic event.
Saint Acutis was born in London in 1991, and quickly moved to Italy with his family. From a young age, he exhibited a very strong faith, bringing his family to mass everyday and strengthening each family member’s relationship with God individually. Acutis received his first communion at the age of seven, and dedicated time everyday to pray in front of the Tabernacle.
As his love for spreading the word of God grew, Acutis created a website “Miracoli Eucaristici” to showcase different Eucharistic miracles and educate other young Catholics about worldly events. Acutis’ unique interweaving of technology with worship truly conveys the transformation of Catholic ministry in the digital age and his everlasting influence on faith.
Unfortunately, Acutis was diagnosed with an intense case of leukemia, dying within a 16-day timespan at the age of 15. Despite this tragic loss, his family was transformed through a life centered around Christ and worship, once again showcasing Acutis’ prominent impact. Acutis’ mom would go on to give birth to boy-girl twins in 2010, where she believes this miracle was due to Acutis’ intercession.
In order to be on the path to become a saint, a person must be responsible for a miracle. The first miracle that occurred due to intercessional prayers to Acutis was in 2013, where a Brazilian boy named Mattheus, where he was healed from a birth defect regarding an annular pancreas. The second miracle took place in 2022, where Italian woman Valeria Valverde was in critical condition with a serious head injury. However, after her mom prayed to Carlo Acutis’ tomb, her injury was healed. After these two miracles, Carlo Acutis was beatified and became “Blessed” in 2020. This was a critical moment during his posthumous journey of becoming a saint.
This canonization is close to the Academy’s hearts, where Carlo Acutis is often taught in the curriculum of theology courses, discussed at mass, and even on bracelets given out to students. His canonization brings light to the importance of worship throughout one’s youth, staying close to the Eucharist, and helping others grow in their faith.
Director of Mission and Ministry Sister Lisa Perkowski said, “I’ve been touched by Saint Carlo Acutis’s biography, who as a child had strong inclinations toward the Catholic faith and Eucharist, even when his parents weren’t very religious. His example is so important because we can take any created thing (i.e. technology, the internet) and use it to build up the church or benefit the common good—or not. As a young person, Carlo Acutis courageously chose using technology to educate others in the faith through Eucharistic Miracles. His trust in God to live his faith so actively set him apart from his peers. His sainthood is so relevant to our students for these reasons; I pray he inspires you all.”
