By Fr. Gary Coulter
Director, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House;
Website Editor, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
On pilgrimage to Italy last month, I had the opportunity in Assisi to visit the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis—the first millennial canonized a saint. Praying there, a line from St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun spoke out to me: “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.” Lord, how can I, and my use of technology, be like these two saints: useful, humble, precious, and chaste?
Useful
St. Carlo Acutis is well known for building a website cataloging Eucharistic Miracles, hoping that scientific evidence would lead people back to Mass and belief in the true miracle of consecrated bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ.
In 2004, Carlo started researching Eucharistic miracles from around the world and developed a website to document them. For each miracle, he created a web page that could be downloaded and printed. After his death in 2006, it was translated into 17 languages, and a physical exhibit based on his work is still shown in thousands of parishes worldwide.
Unfortunately, the internet easily becomes a place of attack and vitriol. One needs to remember the real person at the other end of comments, whom we must treat with dignity and respect. We counter online negativity by exercising charity, practicing self-discipline, and focusing on evangelization.
Humble
But St. Carlo Acutis was not canonized for his use of technology, rather, because he was dedicated to living and dying virtuously. The foundation of heroic virtue, especially humility, must be prayer. From the time of his first communion, despite a full schedule of school, sports, travel, and computer projects, he never missed daily Mass. How many 15-year-olds daily visit the Eucharist and pray the rosary?
For Carlo, the Eucharist was his “highway to heaven” and the source for all his virtues: never wanting to speak badly of others, helping his classmates and those in need, the disabled and elderly. He had a friendly smile and zealous desire to share the faith. Carlo always pushed himself to be generous, to make the gift and sacrifice of self, to choose the highest good: to love Jesus and through him, all who crossed his path.
While many use social media to promote themselves as a “somebody,” Carlo always behaved modestly and without seeking praise. Some did not even know he belonged to a prominent family until after his death.
Precious
St. Carlo Acutis recognized the preciousness of his time and used it wisely. Before his death, he said, “I’m happy to die, because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute on things that don’t please God.”
In his use of technology, Carlo famously limited his gaming time to just an hour a week. He foresaw how the internet and screen time threaten to dominate our lives, and realized the precious nature of human dignity and relationships over digital distraction.
Simply traveling over a week with my phone in airplane mode was as much of a blessing as visiting the great Saints of Assisi: Francis, Clare, and now Carlo Acutis. A reminder to turn off the media and spend time with God, with others, and in healthier recreation.
Chaste
The investigation of his life for canonization included examining his browser history. Many pages were related to his high school subjects, information technology, and above all the Catholic faith, with no indecent websites.
Not being naïve about the dangers of the internet, he warned his fellow students about the evils of pornography, which dehumanizes both its producers and consumers. Carlo said, “Only by maintaining our purity of heart will we be able to accumulate in Heaven the treasure needed for Eternity.”
Carlo used his talents to spread the Gospel through websites and videos, as well as teaching Catechism to prepare others to receive the sacraments. In a world full of digital noise, he wanted to use the internet to share Catholic content and create a space for truth and beauty.
Sister Death
As his death approached, St. Francis added a final stanza to his canticle: “Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape.”
Carlo died less than a week after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. He faced death with great courage, composure, and devotion, desiring to offer his sufferings for the Church and others. He asked to be buried in Assisi, as he admired St. Francis’ total dedication to follow Christ and care for the poor. Indeed, Carlo is now buried at the Shrine of the Renunciation, the very place where St. Francis renounced his wealth and all worldly goods.
Praying before the tomb of a saint dressed in a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers was a great reminder that holiness is possible, virtue is attainable, and prayer is absolutely important. He is a wonderful example of how living a life of committed faith and self-giving love takes nothing away from our joy and happiness.
Carlo’s heart is now contained in a reliquary at the Assisi Cathedral, but his heart truly belonged to God.
