The Race and St. Carlo Acutis
St. Carlo Acutis died in 2006 at age 15 and is our first millennial Saint. Known for promoting the Eucharist as the highway to heaven, Carlo brings simple reason to our complicated world. St. Carlo is nicknamed ‘God’s Influencer’ due to his use of modern technology and social media to proclaim the truth about the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
In July, my teenage daughter and I had the privilege of venerating the first-class relics of St. Carlo Acutis in Brisbane. The Church was full of people from all ages and stages; great-grandmothers to babes in their mother’s arms. Then there were the teenagers… most of them were probably confronted with their own mortality for the first time. Carlo was one of them. A teenager. Average in every way – same clothing, a backpack, a Mum who prayed for him. So there they were, the teenagers, packed in a Church to venerate the relics of St Carlo… half a world away from his hometown, and a Saint! What a sobering and transformative experience for all!
Have you read the book Running With Giants by John C. Maxwell? It is a book filled with Old Testament heroes who come to us as we run the race of life. They give wisdom as they run beside us. Well, I really liked the analogy of life being a running race. It goes well with Hebrews 12:1, which says, ‘…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us’. Other places in the Bible use the analogy too; even Paul tells us to persevere and run our race with discipline.
It’s a tough ask. Our finish lines are unknown. Think about St. Carlo. He had no idea his life would end at 15. Research tells us he was unwell, diagnosed with leukemia, and passed away being promoted to glory four days later. That’s less than a week from diagnosis to death. He didn’t know his time would be short, and look what he did with it! He built a wonderful website cataloging the Eucharistic Miracles of the World, promoted the faith, and shared wisdom beyond his years… what an impact!
As we run around this stadium of life, some of us only get a sprint, whilst others get a whole marathon. We don’t know the length of the race we are running. What we do know is we have to run this race. Of course, we prepare for a marathon: we look after our health as best we can, we have children, we save money, we invest in superannuation… but do we prepare our souls for the journey home? Are we getting ready for eternity? How?
And how are our children preparing? St. Carlo Acutis is a clear example of how a young person can live for God’s glory. Young Catholics have a millennial Saint to emulate, someone who lived just like them. People in the Bible and even the Saints of the 1800s didn’t face the same temptations our young people do today.
St. Carlo Acutis gives our young Catholics new hope: that you can grow up in this messy world and become a Saint. You can use the internet for good! You can live with a strong interior life and follow Jesus all the way to the gates of heaven.
Remember the parable about the bridesmaids? They awaited their bridegrooms and the thoughtful ones brought extra oil in case there was a delay. When the bridegrooms were late and finally arrived, only five bridesmaids were there, because the others had gone to buy oil for their lamps. The five who were absent didn’t get invited into the celebration. They were too late. This parable is asking us to be ready for Jesus. St. Carlo Acutis was prepared! His lamp was lit! Now he is an example to our young Catholics, showing us how to remain ready.
All of us need to prepare our hearts and minds for the journey home whilst we have time. We can do that by establishing a strong relationship with God through prayer, attending Mass, participating in prayer groups, And reading Scripture, and by being, in words and action, a follower of Christ. That’s it. Sounds easy and achievable. But in this busy world, where we are pulled from pillar to post and set intentions for our day only to have them derailed, it can be tough to make time for those things. St Carlo Acutis is a grand example of carving out that time in your day for Mass, prayer, and building God’s Kingdom right here in this life.
Thankfully, as we run this race of life, we have a stadium full of fans cheering us on: friends and family here, angels and saints above, all clapping and encouraging us. Think of the times you’ve faltered, misstepped, or had nothing left in the tank to keep going. Who did you lean on? Where did you get your strength from? Catholics can turn to Jesus for help and strength. We can lean on Him every day. We can also call on our angels, the Saints, and heaven’s army. How privileged we are!
As we run our race of life, may we run it well. May we prepare our hearts and minds for the journey home, for eternity. And may we help others do the same.
Learn more about the Saints
Pray for Us: 75 Saints Who Sinned, Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to Holiness
A Saint a Day: A 365-Day Devotional Featuring Christian Saints (True Stories of Faith)
Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers
