Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis brings his youthful saintliness to Canada

“To always be close to Jesus. That is my life plan.”

These are the words of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 in Italy at the age of 15, having lived his short life devoted to Christ in the Eucharist, in prayer, and in all the people he encountered in life. 

Blessed Carlo, who will be canonized as a saint of the Catholic Church in the spring of 2025, is known as the first millennial saint, the saint in jeans and sneakers, and the saint of youth. 

Our cathedral parish here in rural Nova Scotia was one of only a handful of churches that were blessed to welcome to Canada the travelling relic of Blessed Carlo in recent weeks. The experience of having the relic, a piece of the young man’s pericardium, in our presence and listening to the young saint’s story has had a profound effect on our diocesan community, our parish, our fledgling youth group, and even my family.

This young boy, who was born in London in 1991 to parents who were “sacramental Catholics” and hardly ever attended Mass, was the catalyst for many people to embrace Catholicism and love of the Eucharist. When he was diagnosed with galloping leukemia, from which he died just days later, he told his mother he was not afraid of death because “he had not wasted his time on things that did not please God.”

But isn’t this the same teenager who is known for his love of video games, playing soccer, and extensive knowledge of computers? Indeed, he is. However, Blessed Carlo was committed to limiting his time playing games. He dedicated countless hours to compiling the stories of Eucharistic miracles so they could be available on the internet for generations to come. 

His research resulted in the creation of 163 printed, laminated panels that tell these miracle stories and continue to be displayed in churches throughout the world. Our parish had several of these panels draped over the back of pews in the weeks leading up to the relic visit. 

When planning the visit of the relic to our diocese, we realized that many people are unfamiliar with the idea of a relic, and some are even unfamiliar with the concept of sainthood. Some local university students developed a pamphlet that explained what a relic is and why the Church allows, and even promotes, veneration of saintly relics. It highlighted other well-known saints’ relics. It was a beautiful expression and explanation (by young people!) of a part of our faith that some have seemingly lost in recent decades. 

When we finally gathered for the day of the relic visit, we enjoyed learning more about this young man who had such a short life but such a big impact on the world. Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, who travels with the relic and knows well Blessed Carlos’ parents and twin brothers, emphasized the five elements of what the young man called his “program of life” – Mass, frequent confession, Eucharistic adoration, Rosary/devotion to Our Lady and the saints, and works of charity. Blessed Carlo tried hard to never let a day go by without participating in these pillars of holiness. 

Blessed Carlo’s works of charity were such that so many people turned out for his funeral that his parents were confused, largely because they didn’t recognize any of them. Msgr. Figueiredo told us that when the funeral was over, the Acutis family mingled in the crowd, asking the mourners who they were, and thereby learned countless stories of how Carlos had changed these strangers’ lives through his charitable works.

Quoting Carlo’s mother, Antonia, author Courtney Mares says, “In the evenings, he left the house with containers full of food and hot drinks. He would take them to the homeless near Arco della Pace, and he also bought them sleeping bags with money he had saved.” 

Mares, who wrote the recently published Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers, details many stories of Carlo’s life, including his brief high school years when he was known by his peers for his lack of fear in talking about his faith at school and defending Church teaching on such things as protecting the unborn. 

Blessed Carlo’s life was a blessing to many during his 15 short years on this earth, and now the example of his striving for holiness has extended throughout the world, including our own country. Looking at his youthful picture, Blessed Carlo looks like he could be any young person walking down the street today, which means the potential for future saints out there is limitless. 

Lazzuri writes from her home in rural Nova Scotia, where she lives with her husband, four of her six children, and her mom. She can be reached at [email protected].