Did you know these 5 things about Bl. Carlo Acutis?

Our NEW book–Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Amazing Discovery of a Teenager in Heaven–is now available on our website! Learn more about this amazing saint (including the process of how the Church recognized Carlo is in Heaven) HERE

Happy Birthday to Blessed Carlo Acutis!

Just think of it: May 3, 2021 is his 30th birthday!

To celebrate, here are 5 more Fun Facts about Blessed Carlo Acutis to share with your family. 

For more fun facts and activities on Carlo Acutis, download your FREE study guide to use with his Glory Story!

Carlo was born in London, not Italy

Yup, although his family was Italian, they lived in London at the time Carlo was born. He was baptized Our Lady of Dolours in Fulham (southeast London). To the right, you can see a picture of Carlo’s original London parish. The Diocese of Westminster also released a picture of Carlo’s baptismal certificate which you can see here.

Shortly after, the Acutis family moved to Milan, where Carlo grew up and lived until his death. Below is a picture of the Cathedral in Milan–Carlo probably visited this cathedral during his life.

He is the first millennial to be beatified

Sometimes it can feel like saints are people who lived long ago–but more and more, we are seeing child and adults rise to sainthood all around us! Carlo was born in 1991…maybe the same year as someone you know! He wore tracksuits, jeans, and sneakers and the photos we have of him are all in color. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot become a saint in the 21st century!

In an interview with the National Catholic Register, his mother Antonia talked about how Carlo interacted with modern technology, such as the internet and video games. She said:

“He was a son of his time. He played with his PlayStation, etc. He also understood, however, that these things — such as the computer or PlayStation — could claim a sort of “tyranny” over the soul. You could become addicted, a slave of these things. So much time could be wasted, and Carlo always had a sense that he couldn’t waste time.

I don’t actually believe he would have been too much on Facebook or Twitter. Carlo was very aware of the need to use time well, and even back then — they had instant messaging — he thought this was a very bad use of time. He would say that instant messenger was annoying! He was a programmer. I think he would have used the internet to create websites, but he always saw learning how to do this as a tool for evangelization.”

He loved to play sports

If you listened to the recently released Carlo Acutis Glory Story, you’ll know this fact! 

Carlo loved to go skiing in the mountains, and he played soccer, tennis, basketball, and took karate. He was an active kid!

He also enjoyed going to the beach with his family..not only would he make home videos with his cousins, but his mother mentions that he would comb the beach “hunting” for litter…he wanted to care for God’s creation even in small ways!

His first officially recognized miracle was the healing of a boy in Brazil

The miracle that officially moved Bl. Carlo to his beatification was the healing of a 4-year-old Brazilian boy with a pancreas malformation. 

Matheus, the poor 4-year-old boy, could hardly keep food down and was in constant pain. He was so weak, he wouldn’t be able to survive a surgery. According to doctors, he wouldn’t live past age 5. 

Carlo Acutis’ mother had given Matheus’ pastor a second degree relic from her son (a piece of clothing); this relic was exposed in their chapel every year on October 12th. 

Matheus’ mother said:

“Matheus saw the line of people standing to venerate Carlo’s relic and asked me what they were doing. I told him we could pray to Carlo for anything, if we wanted to, because he was in heaven. Matheus was on his grandfather’s lap when we approached the relic and, before my dad could touch the relic, Matheus kissed it and said out loud ‘Stop vomiting!’ Many people witnessed this moment.”

From that moment onwards, Matheus started to improve. He stopped throwing up, and medical scans showed that his disfigured pancreas had transformed into a perfectly healthy one! Bl. Carlo Acutis had officially healed the boy through his intercession!

Carlo’s favorite prayer was the Rosary

Most of us struggle to enjoy praying the Rosary, but Carlo prayed it every day! 

Italian Cardinal Semerano says that Carlo “was an authentic apostle of the rosary of the Blessed Virgin,” and that “that Blessed Carlo Acutis’ love for praying the rosary in his ‘short but full; life exemplified timeless wisdom” (CNA). 

Want your family to learn to love the Rosary like Blessed Carlo? Moms report that little ones LOVE these Bead by Bead Rosary Books, while kids who like to color use this Rosary Coloring Book and CD Set. They’re clear and simple enough that children can use them during family prayer or on their own!

Finally, parents who want a beautiful meditation aid use The Rosary of St. John Paul II. We’ve sold out of this small but powerful book many times…don’t miss out!

We are so excited to celebrate this new Blessed who is featured on our newest Glory Story! We also have a FREE coloring page download to help you celebrate his birthday at home!