The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2025
When I visited Assisi in July 2022, I went by chance to the Capuchin church there, and was astonished to see the corpse of Blessed Carlo Acutis. I was struck by how young he was, how he looked like a normal 21st century teen and how well preserved his body is. There is some discrepancy about whether his body is truly incorrupt or whether it was made to look incorrupt by artists. In any event, we know from photos that Carlo Acutis during his life looked like any kid you might see in high school today.
Carlo was born in London to an Italian family on May 3, 1991. Carlos’ parents were wealthy and not very religious; he was cared for by nannies who were faithful Catholics who introduced him to Jesus. From his preschool years, he spoke of Jesus as a real person and a friend.
Carlo attended Catholic schools in Italy. On his walks to and from school, he stopped to talk to immigrant caretakers of the wealthy homes that he passed, learning their names and asking about their families. He understood that devotion to Jesus includes love of others, especially those regarded as lowly.
As a young boy, he hoped to be a chef. He played soccer and video games and watched the Simpsons. He loved dogs. A normal 1990s boy!
He loved to go to Mass during his elementary school years and at times joined the elderly ladies at church who prayed the rosary after Mass. The Acutis family employed a Hindu immigrant maid from Mauritius, Rajesh Mohur. Young Carlos used to tell Rajesh about Christ and after some time, she asked for baptism. Carol also spoke with Rajesh’s friend, Seeven Kistnen, who also asked to be baptized. When Rajesh’s mother visited from Mauritius, Carlo and Rajesh took her to Mass and talked to her about Christ and she was also baptized. Carol brought three Hindus to Catholic baptism while he was still in elementary school!
When Carlo was 12, he became a team leader in the parish youth group. Carlo loved the saints and was especially inspired by Saint Francis. Carlo loved Assisi, the city of Francis. He would eventually be buried in Assisi and his body is now permanently enshrined there.
Like most 21st century kids, Carlo loved video games and computers. He spent time developing a web site about Eucharistic miracles. At age 14, he developed a web site for his parish.
On October 1, 2006, Carlo suffered a severe sore throat. By October 8, Carlo could not get out of bed and soon after he was diagnosed with untreatable leukemia. He received the anointing of the sick. His final words to his mother were: “Mom, don’t be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life, and we don’t need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in eternal life.” He died on October 11 at age 15. Only 11 days elapsed from his sore throat symptom to his death.
Carlo was canonized on September 7, 2025 by Pope Leo, his first canonization. We will honor the canonization of Saint Carlo at Saint John’s at all Masses on September 14. I believe that Saint Carlo is especially relevant to the many young adults at Saint John’s. Saint Carlo and our young adults grew up in the computer age, playing video games, googling for information, surfing the web. Had Saint Carlo lived, he would now by 34 years old, the age group of modern young adults.
Black and Indian missions second collection
This weekend, September 13-14 there will be the annual collection to support the work of the Catholic Church in the United States among Native American and African American communities.
Please be generous.
