Words of faith and hope from Millennial Blessed Carlo Acutis
Even in the midst of the pandemic, Blessed Carlo Acutis united Catholics all over the world for his beatification on October 10, in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy.
The 15-year-old computer whiz was beatified as the first "Millennial Blessed" and Patron of the Internet for using his programming skills in spreading the faith. According to his mom Antonia Salzano, Acutis taught himself how to code using his "very basic computer" and data he gathered from college textbooks.
He built the website "The Eucharistic Miracles of the World" where he cataloged Eucharistic and Marian miracles. His childhood friend Mattia Pastorelli was witness to his remarkable talent. "I watched him while he was programming websites," Pastorelli said in an interview with the Catholic News Agency. "He was truly an incredible talent."
Cardinal Agostini Vallini, the pontifical legate for the Basilica of St. Francis, referred to Acutis as a modern-day model to the youth during his homily for the beatification. The Cardinal lauded Acutis for how he used technology to "reach as many people as possible and help them know the beauty of friendship with the Lord."
He explained, "The Church rejoices because in this very young Blessed, the Lord's words are fulfilled: ‘I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit.’ And Carlo went and brought the fruit of holiness, showing it as a goal reachable by all and not as something abstract and reserved for a few."
"He was an ordinary boy, simple, spontaneous, likable… he loved nature and animals, he played football, he had many friends of his age, he was attracted by modern means of social communication, passionate about computer science and, self-taught, he built websites to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty," said the cardinal.
Aside from programming, Acutis immersed himself in charitable work, which includes distributing food and sleeping bags to the less fortunate in Milan. Antonia said that his son only lived within his means in order for them to help more people in need.
She recounted in an interview with the Catholic News Agency, "If I said to him, 'Carlo, let’s buy an extra pair of shoes,' he would get angry [and reply] 'Mom, one is enough. Let’s help the poor.' He was a very, very simple guy. For him, a pair of trousers was as good as another, a pair of shoes was as good as another."
Years since his death on October 12, 2006, Acutis continues to inspire the youth not only with his modernly holy life but as well his words of faith and hope.
PhilSTAR Life lists down Blessed Carlo Acutis' most inspiring quotes that everyone could still live by today.
"Every day I live the Holy Communion as a constant dialogue with Jesus, as an authentic hope."
"The Eucharist is my highway to heaven."
To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan. I'm happy to die because I've lived my life without wasting even a minute of it doing things that wouldn't have pleased God.
"I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.”
“The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
Our aim has to be the infinite and not the finite. The infinite is our homeland. We have always been expected in Heaven.
"Our soul is like a hot air balloon. If by chance there is a mortal sin, the soul falls to the ground. Confession is like the fire underneath the balloon enabling the soul to rise again. . . It is important to go to confession often."
The only thing we have to ask God for, in prayer, is the desire to be holy.
"Think of Jesus as one among you, your best friend or your brother, as well as a man who needs your help. To me being a Christian is to observe the world and bring my joy, my strength to others… If you see a friend struggling, help him or her. Don’t leave them alone, don’t close your eyes."
Sources: National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, Carlo Acutis website