On September 7, 2025, something extraordinary is happening. Carlo Acutis, a teenager who lived a life of deep faith, creativity, and kindness, will be officially canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Carlo wasn’t a monk or a missionary. He was a regular teen who loved video games, wore Nike sneakers, and had a thing for Pokémon and Spider-Man. He also happened to be radically in love with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist, and used his talents to bring others closer to God. He taught himself coding and built a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world, believing that if people saw the evidence, they’d come back to Mass.
He died in 2006 at just 15 years old, after offering his suffering from leukaemia for Pope Benedict XVI and the Church. His tomb in Assisi has become a place of pilgrimage, and now, after two confirmed miracles through his intercession – including the healing of a young woman from Costa Rica after a traumatic brain injury – Carlo will be declared a saint.
But this isn’t just about honouring one person, extraordinary though he may be. It’s also a huge moment for Young Church.
Carlo’s life sends a clear message: you don’t have to wait until you’re older to live for something bigger than yourself. He stood up for kids who were bullied, defended the dignity of life, and helped his friends through tough times. He talked about confession and Mass with his gaming buddies. He didn’t just believe in God; he lived like it mattered.
His mother once said, “He managed to drag his relatives, his parents to Mass every day.” That’s the kind of quiet leadership that changes lives. Carlo didn’t preach; he inspired.
He also understood something many people miss: that holiness isn’t boring. He said, “All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.” Carlo wanted to be the person God made him to be – fully alive, fully himself, and fully committed to love.
And he won’t be canonized alone. On the same day, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will also be declared a saint. Pier Giorgio was another young Italian who lived with joy, courage, and a deep love for the poor. He was a university student and mountain climber who gave away his train fare, his shoes, and his time to help those in need. His motto, “Verso l’alto” (“To the heights”) wasn’t just about climbing mountains. It was about aiming high in life, spiritually and morally. Like Carlo, Pier Giorgio shows us that holiness isn’t about being flawless — it’s about being faithful, generous, and real.
So, as we get closer to his canonization, maybe ask yourself: What would it look like to live like Carlo today? Not perfectly, not pretending to be something you’re not. But with courage, joy, and a heart open to God.
This canonization is a celebration of what’s possible – not just for Carlo, but for every young person who wants to live with purpose. It’s a reminder that sainthood isn’t reserved for the distant past. It’s alive, it’s relevant, and it’s waiting for us to say yes.
