CHESTERTON – Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen set to be canonized on April 27 (now postponed due to the death of Pope Francis), has been hailed as a model for modern youth. There are a number of ways the faithful can honor the soon-to-be-saint and his devotion to the Eucharist within the Diocese of Gary.
The diocese is planning a special Mass for Teens to celebrate the life of Acutis on April 26, the eve of the canonization of Blessed Carlo. The liturgy, which will include a special blessing for teenagers, will begin at 4 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. There will also be an opportunity to venerate a first class relic gifted to the Chesterton parish last fall.
Father Jon Plavcan, pastor, explained it’s a busy time for the church. Not only is April 27 the second Sunday of Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday, it is also First Communion Sunday at the parish.
“In life and death, Carlo is remembered for his deep faith, his love for the Eucharist, and his commitment to using his talents for the benefits of others and the Church,” Father Plavcan said. “His life story is an example of how young people can live a life of holiness and devotion, regardless of their age or circumstances.”
At the St. Patrick Mass, the relic will be brought in procession at Mass and then there will be time available at the end of Mass for veneration.
Melissa Novak, director of discipleship and evangelization for Holy Martyrs Parish and Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville, shared that she loves how Acutis’s example shows teenagers that they can do things for the glory of God – they don’t have to wait until they’re older or have more experience.
“The Holy Spirit can work in you and through you right now to lead others to Christ,” she said. “(Acutis) did so much for the Lord as a teenager; catechist, parish volunteer, Eucharistic Miracles website, etc.”
Novak feels she can relate to Acutis because in high school she had the option to transfer from a public school to a Catholic school. She really missed the Catholic community experience in a school setting, but felt like God was calling her to stay at the public school and be Christ to those who didn’t know Him.
As a cancer survivor, Novak also relates to the suffering Acutis endured during his battle with cancer.
“Growing up, my mom always taught my sisters and I to offer our suffering as an intention for others,” she said. “That is what I did during my battle as well. (Blessed Carlo) gives teens and young adults a great reminder that you can offer your suffering as an intention.”
Novak added that she admires how Blessed Carlo’s faith inspired a conversion in his mother.
“As parents, one of our main goals is to get our kids to heaven, but oftentimes our kids help us grow in holiness,” she said.
Novak recently bought a graphic novel about Acutis’s life and gave it to her fourth-grade son to read, and he quickly became astonished at Acutis’s devotion and what he accomplished for God as a teenager. Similar situations, she noted, have happened with many of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) families she works with at the parish.
“Many times, an Aquinas Community School student desires to become Catholic, and through classes and the OCIA program, their family comes back to the faith as well,” she explained.
In addition to books and articles, other mediums have been used to share the story of Blessed Carlo and his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
In March, musical artist Le Concorde released the song “Corpus Christi,” along with a video that uses retro pixel art to illustrate Blessed Carlo's fascination with Eucharistic miracles, which he cataloged in a database, drawing on his formidable computer skills.
Stephen Becker, the Los Angeles-based Catholic singer-songwriter behind Le Concorde, told OSV News the song emerged from his long journey back to the faith of his childhood, and a sense of awe over the Eucharist that Acutis adored with such love. On learning of Blessed Carlo’s work in cataloging Eucharistic miracles, Becker said he wondered why “all Catholics are not talking about this all the time.”
To hear “Corpus Christi” and watch its accompanying video, visit leconcordemusic.com.
In theatres April 27-29,the film “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” explores how a young Acutis navigated the modern world. It tackles urgent technology-related questions, examining how the virtual landscape threatens the fundamental understanding of what it means to be human. The film also tracks the journey of a group of high school students who embark on a two-week pilgrimage from North Dakota to Italy to visit Carlo’s tomb. A requirement for their pilgrimage: disengage from technology and leave their phones at home.
The film also features Acutis’s family and friends sharing their firsthand experiences and his impact on their lives. It also includes well-known voices in the Catholic Church and technology experts who offer a model for young people to engage with the digital world.
For more information about the film, or to view locations and purchase tickets, visit eucharisticrevival.org/roadmap-to-reality.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory holds a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis following a Mass on Sept. 11, 2024 at St. Patrick in Chesterton. After the service, students and parishioners came forward to venerate the relic. The parish will also host a special Mass at 10 a.m. on Oct. 12, the Feast Day of Blessed Carlo Acutis, providing another opportunity for faithful to view the relic. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis
Oh God, Our Father,
thank you for giving us Carlo,
a life example for the young
and a message of love for everyone.
You made him become enamoured with
Your Son Jesus, Making of the Eucharist
his “Highway to Heaven”.
You gave him Mary, as a most loving Mother,
and, with the Rosary, you made him
a poet of her tenderness. Receive his prayer for us.
Above all, gaze upon the poor,
whom he loved and helped.
Grant for me, too, by his intercession,
the grace that I need ...
And make our joy fulfilled,
placing Carlo among the Saints
of your Church, so that his smile
may shine again for us in the glory of your name.
Amen
