The St Carlo Acutis Mission was far more than the visit of a relic or an opportunity to learn about the Church’s newest saint. It became a moment of grace for our Diocese, inviting thousands of students, teachers, families and parishioners into a renewed encounter with Jesus Christ.
Throughout the Mission, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo continually reminded us that the Church does not simply raise up saints for admiration, but that God raises them up for a purpose.
Quoting GK Chesterton, he reflected: “The saint who God raises up is not necessarily the saint that the people want, but the saint that the people need.”
The question, then, was not simply, Who was Carlo? but rather, Why has God given us Carlo now?
1. Carlo points us to Jesus
Monsignor Anthony’s first message was clear: Carlo never points to himself.
In an age that increasingly forgets or ignores God, Carlo’s life proclaims one simple truth: Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
As Carlo himself said, “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.”
Everything about his life flowed from that conviction.
As Monsignor Anthony reminded us, Carlo wanted people to know that Christ is truly present, which is why he spent his life drawing others to the Eucharist.
The greatest invitation of the Mission was therefore not devotion to Carlo, but a renewed friendship with Jesus.
2. Carlo gives hope because holiness is possible
Again and again, Monsignor Anthony described Carlo as “just an ordinary kid.”
He wore jeans. He wore trainers. He loved computers. He loved football. He came from a family that had drifted away from the practice of the faith.
Yet God transformed an ordinary life into extraordinary holiness.
Sharing the testimony of a young woman praying at Carlo’s tomb, Monsignor Anthony recalled her words:
“Looking at Carlo … gives me hope. I too wear jeans. I too wear gym shoes. I too wear a hoodie. Carlo tells me I too can be a saint.”
This is perhaps one of Carlo’s greatest gifts to our generation.
Holiness is not reserved for another age. It is possible today.
As Pope Francis teaches: “The holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures.”
3. God meets us where we are
One of the most striking moments of the Mission came when Monsignor Anthony reflected:
“We have to meet people where they are today, not how we want them to be in the future. Grace builds on our nature today.”
This was the way Carlo evangelised.
He did not begin by asking people to become different. He began by loving them.
He defended those who were bullied. He befriended the lonely. He cared for the poor.
He simply allowed Christ’s love to shine through an ordinary life.
Put God at the centre of everything, and all other things will take their right place.
St Carlo Acutis
4. Carlo leaves us a simple roadmap
Rather than presenting holiness as something complicated, Monsignor Anthony showed that Carlo lived five simple practices which shaped his life:
- Frequent reception of the Eucharist
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Regular Confession
- Devotion to Our Lady and the saints
- Small acts of charity
These are not extraordinary practices. They are the ordinary rhythm of Catholic life. They are available to every one of us.
As Carlo encouraged us: “You too can be a saint, but you need to want it.”
5. The greatest miracle
Throughout the Mission we heard stories of remarkable healings and answered prayers.
Yet Monsignor Anthony reminded us that Carlo himself points to something even greater.
The greatest miracle is not simply physical healing.
It is remaining united to Jesus.
As Carlo said at just seven years old:
“To remain always united to Jesus.”
This is the lasting fruit we pray will continue to grow throughout our Diocese.
The Mission continues
The visit of the relics has now concluded, but the invitation remains.
Near the end of his talk, Monsignor Anthony left us with Carlo’s final encouragement:
“God writes for each one of us a unique, unrepeatable story. He leaves us the freedom to write the ending.”
The St Carlo Acutis Mission was not simply an event to remember.
It was the beginning of a new chapter.
May we continue to walk the simple path Carlo lived: centred on the Eucharist, strengthened by prayer, renewed through the sacraments, devoted to Our Lady, generous in charity, and always pointing others, not to ourselves, but to Jesus Christ.
If the St Carlo Acutis Mission has inspired you, we warmly encourage you to continue the journey by reading Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo’s Carlo Acutis: Saint of the Young. Drawing on his personal friendship with Carlo’s family, his experience leading relic missions around the world, and the Church’s teaching, the book explores why God has raised up St Carlo for our times and offers a practical roadmap to holiness. To order a copy, please email esit@pndiocese.org.nz
We also have a special gift to share.
Friends of St Carlo Acutis Australia (Home | St Carlo Australia) have generously made available a 50% discount for individuals, families, or groups under 30 people to watch a St Carlo film resource through Credo. For just $5, viewers receive 30 days of access.
To access it:
Go to the Credo access page https://go.watchcredo.com/access
Enter code: ETTQA9WT
