January 24, 2024 at 7:10 a.m.
‘A REAL HERO’
I first heard about Carlo Acutis when I listened to a talk given by Father Chris Alar at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy. I considered quickly that Carlo is a real hero. I asked mom to get me a book on Carlo.
I related to Carlo right away as I had some similar desires. I wanted to receive Holy Communion when I was 5 years old. I finally asked Father Jerry (Gingras) for permission but he thought it best if I waited till second grade. I was sad and a few times when I went up with mom for a blessing, I would choose a Eucharistic Minister who did not know me hoping they would give me Communion. Mom would always interrupt them and I failed. Carlo also requested to receive his Communion early and his wish was granted. My favorite quote of his is “The Eucharist is the Highway to Heaven.”
BOOKS ON CARLO ACUTIS
“Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint” by Nicola Gori. Our Sunday Visitor (Huntington, Indiana, 2021). 143 pages, $14.95.
The author of “Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint” is Nicola Gori, a writer and the postulator of Acutis’ cause; thus, he was able to include firsthand information central to Acutis’ life and glean stories from others who knew Acutis and had contact with him.
For this heroic and saintly young man, holiness was a simple way of life. “Holiness is not a process of adding anything, but of subtraction. It is a removal of myself to make room for God,” Acutis said.
In addition to offering a brief account of his life, there are sections on the theology of the Eucharist and on Eucharistic Miracles, Acutis’ favorite saints and issues that were significant to him.
While some of these are peripheral to Acutis’ life as told in the biography, they were important to him and thus provide a portrait of this young man as he interacted with others in a world that is often hostile to holiness.
His parents recall that a few days before he was admitted to the hospital, while they were keeping vigil at his bedside, they heard Acutis say: “I offer all the sufferings that I will have to undergo to the Lord for the pope and the church, so that I can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven.”
The book contains many incidents in Acutis’ life that reflect his abiding faith in Jesus and the church. He is indeed a saint for our times and will especially resonate with young people as Acutis enjoyed sports, video games, being with his parents and finding a particular joy and peace in the rosary, Mass and exploring the lives of the saints.
The preface and introduction take up nearly half the book but provide quotes from Pope Francis and others explaining some basic tenets of Catholic spirituality, which will benefit most readers who are unfamiliar with the process of beatification.
Highly recommended for confirmation-age students, for it shows an otherwise ordinary teenager living the faith with beauty, simplicity and trust.
“Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius” by Ellen Labrecque, illustrated by Dan Wegendt. Pauline Books and Media (Boston, 2021). 63 pages, $21.95.
Acutis is one of the only teenagers on the path to sainthood. Born in 1991, Acutis lived his short life focusing his interests and talents toward doing God’s work. A discreetly holy young man, he didn’t brag about his faith and service to the poor of his home city in Milan, Italy. Instead he was a humble evangelizer through his example of being a joyfully regular student who played soccer and the saxophone.
He also enjoyed video games and was interested in Steve Jobs and computers. When he became ill with leukemia, he was on the journey toward becoming a priest, or computer scientist, or more than likely a computer-programming priest. This book is written not just as a biography of Acutis, but also as a guide to readers about living a normal life focused on Jesus.
Laden with sidebars about geography and the sacraments, “Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius” also includes graphics, photographs and illustrations. Acutis is a great role model for Catholic youth. As his mother said, “Carlo was the light answer to the dark side of the web.” Ages 9-13.
— OSV News
In early October of last year, we went to Dominican University in Rockland County for the dedication of the artificial turf field for sports. They called it O’Brien Field in honor of my aunt Mary who had been president of the university for almost 38 years. The trip is three hours and we were not able to make it back in time (for Mass at) Immaculate. So we went to 5 p.m. Mass in Blauvelt. The bulletin had this advertisement (for the Vatican International Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles that was held at St. Margaret of Antioch Church in Pearl River, N.J.) which included first-class relics. I got so excited and asked mom if we could go. She said of course we will make a pilgrimage.
We went midweek and I also got to see where my mom was baptized 70 years prior in the same church, although mom thought it looked smaller. They had so much information regarding the Eucharistic Miracles around the world which Carlo had created a website for. We had to get home in time for my older brother getting off the school bus so mom bought a book on it from the exhibit. (And I made it a third-class relic when I touched it to Carlo’s relics.)
The first-class relics were so holy that I was filled with such joy. The first-class relics that we could touch were: a piece of his body, some of his hair, a piece of his coffin and a piece of his shirt. I was not afraid. I was in awe and so full of joy and happiness. I created so many third-class relics: all of our medals, some rosary beads and our Eucharistic Last Supper that we have for this year’s Eucharistic Revival.
This year, I also followed Carlo’s example of feeding the poor by supplying care packages. Carlo would buy and distribute sleeping bags. I could not do that but I could shop with mom for gloves, socks, hats, protein bars, juice, hand and feet warmers and a few dollars. Last fall I wanted to step up and help feed in the soup kitchen in Schenectady, but was told I needed to be 12; I am only 9. So I stayed with the care packages. We leave them in the car and when we see someone in need, we offer them a bag.
Carlo also said, “All people are born originals but many die photocopies.” I don’t want to be a photocopy. I do my best to be true to God and not to follow the crowd. Nine months ago, Father Tom, my pastor, allowed me to serve as an altar server. Many times I still get confused but he is so patient with me.
When I get reading assignments at school that require a written summary many times I will choose a story of a saint. Sometimes I will wear a shirt to school with a Carlo quote and this Halloween I was Carlo for the party.
I try to go to Mass more often than once a week and am very excited about St. Joseph’s (in Scotia) on Sunday morning having Eucharistic Adoration. Mom and I will go.
Mom posted the advertisement of the relics going to St. Margaret’s in Pearl River on Facebook and one of our church’s administrators saw it and went to Father Tom who approved bringing the exhibit to Immaculate Conception.
Carlo also advocated the rosary daily so I now say a decade with mom nearly every day. And I am happy to report that my older brother will pray at least three Hail Mary’s.
I also pray to Carlo to help guide me. Here are two more quotes:
“To always be close to Jesus, that is my life plan.”
“Continuously ask your guardian angel for help. Your guardian angel has to become your best friend.”
I now talk to my guardian angel especially when I play on my phone as I need to cut back. Mom set limits on my phone but I want to cut back even more like Carlo did. So I talk to my angel for help. Mom now talks to her guardian angel so Carlo is influencing her as well.
Here are some more quotes from Carlo:
“The more Eucharist we receive, the more we become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
“By standing before the Eucharistic Christ, we become holy.”
“The only thing we have to ask for God in prayer is the desire to be holy.”
Carlo, thank you. I pray one day you will also greet me at the gates of heaven.
I look forward to attending the Holy Exhibit at Immaculate Conception this February.
Michael O’Brien is an altar server at Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville.
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