Chicago‘s Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish is abuzz with excitement ahead of the canonization of Carlo Acutis on Sunday. This is the first canonization ceremony for Pope Leo XIV, and the parish, the first in the United States to bear Acutis‘ name, is at the center of the celebration.
Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, is poised to become history’s first millennial saint. His rapid rise to popularity among young Catholics is attributed to a Vatican-led campaign to present a contemporary, relatable figure for the next generation.
Rev. Ed Howe, pastor of the Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish, described Acutis as a “saint next door,” someone many young people find approachable and inspiring. Students at the parish school are actively engaged in learning about his life through various activities.
Fifth graders at St. John Berchmans’ school are reading comic books about Acutis‘ life and discussing his alleged miracles. They even contemplate what his cellphone wallpaper might have looked like, illustrating his relatability to modern youth.
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, will also declare Pier Giorgio Frassati a saint during the ceremony. The canonizations were originally scheduled for earlier in the year but were postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis had strongly supported Acutis‘ sainthood, believing the church needed a figure to engage young Catholics in the digital age while addressing both the opportunities and challenges of technology.
Acutis, despite being exceptionally skilled with computers before the social media era, maintained a balanced life. He limited his video game time, prioritizing real-life relationships over virtual ones.
A student at St. John Berchmans’ school shared her reaction to learning about Acutis‘ life. She noted his strong devotion to Jesus Christ from a young age and his consistent attendance at Mass, finding him relatable and inspiring.
Acutis‘ devotion to the Eucharist is a significant aspect of his story. He spent considerable time in prayer before the Eucharist daily, a practice known as Eucharistic adoration. His mother, Antonia Salzano, described this as a regular part of his day.
Acutis‘ legacy extends to the website he created documenting Eucharistic miracles, translated into nearly 20 languages. This website is a testament to his use of technology to spread his faith.
Acutis‘ life, from his birth in London to his death in Milan, was a typical childhood marked by a growing religious devotion. His beatification in 2020 and the approval of a second miracle last year led to his upcoming sainthood.
The popularity of Acutis is partly attributed to a concerted Church campaign, but also to his appeal to both young people and the institution itself. His positive use of technology to spread his faith, particularly his belief in Eucharistic miracles, resonates in a time when this belief is not universally held amongst Catholics.
A University of Notre Dame history professor commented on the marketing aspect of canonization, highlighting the selection process and the narratives chosen to be amplified. Acutis‘ story, with its blend of modern appeal and profound faith, perfectly encapsulates this.
In Chicago, the impact of
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