Published on July 4, 2024, 12:36 am

Time and age hold no barrier when it comes to making an influential impact on the world. The inspirational story of Carlo Acutis beautifully demonstrates this. Born in 1991, Acutis died from acute promyelocytic leukemia at the tender age of 15 in 2006. This did not shortchange his life, as he has subsequently received approval for sainthood.

Fondly referred to as “God’s Influencer” and “Cyber-Apostle of the Eucharist,” Acutis harnessed the early days of internet technology, despite being young. He was highly interested in soccer and was acclaimed as a computer genius, a reputation that even professionals with degrees in computer engineering upheld.

Above all, Carlo was widely recognized for his profound devotion to the Eucharist and Mary, who he considered his confidant. His daily spiritual exercise included fervent prayers using the rosary. Despite his short lifespan, Carlo visited 17 countries alongside his family to document different instances of Eucharistic miracles – totaling 187 by the time of his death.

The way towards sainthood is typically long-drawn involving different steps spread across many years. First, there is a mandatory five-year waiting period after a person’s death before their Cause for Sainthood can be initiated. Once launched, they gain the title “Servant of God.” Subsequently, if it is concluded that they exhibited “heroic virtue” throughout their lifetime, they are pronounced “Venerable.” The final deep dive into genuine sainthood requires confirmation that two miracles can be attributed to them.

Carlo Acutis was declared a “Servant of God” in 2016 before earning the title “Venerable” two years later in 2018 and finally “Blessed” in 2020. What were these miracles?

The first recorded miracle emanates from a four-year-old Brazilian boy, Mattheus, born with an annular pancreas – a condition that induced regular vomiting and spelled an expected short lifespan. This condition dramatically took a turn on touching Carlo’s photograph during prayer service for his intercession. Near-instantly, the now energetic Mattheus stopped vomiting after eating French fries, steak, beans, and rice – all previously potential triggers of vomiting.

Carlo’s second miracle happened in 2022 following prayers from Liliana at his tomb in Assisi, Italy. Her daughter Valeria had suffered severe head trauma through a biking accident. On the very day of Liliana’s prayer requesting for Carlo’s intercession, Larissa started to breathe again independently – leading her out of critical medical state.

Once Carlo’s miracles were ratified, he was approved for canonization by Pope Francis and the Consistory of Cardinals thus making him the first saint out of Generation Y or Millennial generation. The solemn pronouncement will likely take place during the 2025 Jubilee – but no firm date is set yet.

Presently housed at St. Mary Major Parish (also known as Shrine of the Renunciation) in Assisi lies Carlo’s body – remarkably well-preserved despite not being incorrupt. “His body is integral,” Carlos Acácio Gonçalves Ferreira, rector of the parish said.

In clear terms, Carlo Acutis proved beyond doubt via his life and posthumous influence that it doesn’t matter your age or circumstance; anyone can make a difference in our world. To encapsulate his philosophy in life: “God has scripted unique and unrepeatable stories for each person but leaves us to pen its ending.” This resonates eloquently with breaking news today and maintains relevance within trusted news based on Christian worldview perspectives.