A backpack on his back, a laptop under his arm, a camera in his hands, and Jesus in his heart. An example of a modern halo guy is Carlo Acutis (March 5, 1991 – October 12, 2006), who is worth following. He was supposed to be canonized on Sunday, April 27, but the canonization was postponed due to the death of Pope Francis.
Image: profimedia.eu
Carlo Acutis was a normal boy – straightforward, spontaneous, and likable, look at his photo. He loved nature and animals, played football, and had many friends among his peers.
He was attracted to modern means of communication and was an enthusiast of computer science. As a self-taught artist, he created programs to transmit the gospel and communicate values and beauty. He had the gift of attracting and was seen as a role model.
He attended Mass every day and stayed in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament for a long time. Carlo used to say: „ Go straight to paradise if the Eucharist is approached every day!“
Excerpts are from a homily by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, delivered at the beatification ceremony of Carlo Acutis on 10 October 2020 in Assisi.
„Carlo Acutis is very easy to follow in a sense. He didn’t do anything that each of us couldn’t,“ says priest, university teacher Martin Majda.
„ When we compare him with Padre Pio, who had supernatural gifts that man does not normally have, we might think that holiness is unattainable. But we can all imitate Carl’s example, both the elderly and the youth.“
PILGRIM OF HOPE
