Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint Exemplifies Discipleship in a Digital World

April 2025

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Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified, provides a powerful example of how faith and technology can work hand in hand to evangelize and inspire. In a world where technology increasingly shapes the way we learn, connect, and create, Carlo’s life demonstrates that technology can be a tool for spreading the Gospel and living out the faith. In this article, we’ll explore Carlo Acutis’ life and how he used technology to evangelize, highlight his road to canonization, and offer practical suggestions for Catholic school leaders and educators to leverage technology for faith-filled learning and living.

Who was Carlo Acutis?

Though he only lived for fifteen years, Carlo’s life was built around devotion to the Catholic faith. A teenager with an interest in technology, he put his digital skills to work as a disciple of Jesus Christ. His faith was integrated into every aspect of his life, and he showed us that the digital world can be a place where others can be invited into the beauty of the Eucharist and the truths of the faith.

Carlo’s Early Life and Faith

Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to Italian parents. He was raised in Milan, Italy. From a young age, Carlo exhibited a deep love for the Catholic faith, with a particular devotion to the Eucharist. He attended Mass daily and visited the Blessed Sacrament often, demonstrating a profound personal relationship with Christ that was central to his young life.

Carlo’s commitment to faith was not simply a personal practice; he believed in the importance of making Christ known to others through acts of service and conversation. This conviction would later inspire his digital evangelization efforts.

Technology Interests and Digital Evangelization

As Carlo grew, so did advancements in technology. Many young people used the internet for entertainment or socializing. Carlo used his technology skills to share his faith. A self-taught computer enthusiast, Carlo harnessed his interest in technology to build a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles around the world. His goal was to use the internet as a tool to educate others about the power of the Eucharist and to inspire devotion in those who might not be aware of these miracles.

Eucharistic Devotion

For Carlo, the Eucharist was the heart of his spiritual life. He famously said, "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven." His deep devotion to the Eucharist inspired him to use his technology talents to share this love with others.

Carlo’s Road to Canonization

Canonization is the official declaration by the Catholic Church that a person has died is a saint. It recognizes that the person lived a life of extraordinary holiness and virtue. After death, saints in heaven are in the presence of God and can intercede on behalf of those who pray to them.

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The process of becoming a saint involves recognition by the Church, typically through beatification and canonization. Carlo Acutis, who died at just 15 years old, was recognized for his extraordinary faith and service, leading to his beatification in 2020 after a miracle attributed to his intercession. His journey to sainthood highlights that holiness can be achieved in the modern world, inspiring young people globally.

Venerable Status

Carlo’s life was tragically cut short when he died from leukemia on October 12, 2006. His short life, however, was marked by extraordinary faith and a commitment to service. In 2018, the Vatican declared Carlo “venerable,” recognizing the heroic virtue he displayed in his life.

Beatification

On October 10, 2020, Carlo was beatified in Assisi, Italy, in a ceremony that was both a celebration of his life and a recognition of his contributions to evangelization. The miracle that led to his beatification was the healing of a young boy in Brazil, whose recovery was attributed to Carlo’s intercession. This event further solidified Carlo's legacy as a modern saint whose life resonated with young people across the globe.

Canonization

Blessed Carlo is on the path to sainthood. As the Church anticipates his canonization, the words of Pope Francis inspire young people to follow Carlo’s example: “I encourage all of you to rediscover the great gift of the Eucharist!” Carlo’s journey to sainthood offers a powerful reminder that holiness is not confined to a particular time or place but can be achieved in the modern world.

Carlo Acutis reminds us that sainthood is not confined to a specific time or place. Saints are among us now! With the right guidance, our students can follow Carlo’s example and use their gifts, including their digital skills, to share the light of Christ in an increasingly digital world.

Support Students in Becoming Digital Evangelizers

Catholic educators have a unique opportunity to guide students in using technology to live out their faith and share it with others. Carlo Acutis’ life is an inspiring example of how young people can use their digital skills for the glory of God. Here are some practical ways Catholic school leaders and educators can support students in becoming digital evangelizers who learn about and live out their faith out in the modern world.

Offer Digital Courses with a Catholic Perspective

Integrate Catholic teaching with modern education. Virtual courses with a Catholic perspective offer students an education that reflects both academic excellence and Catholic values, ensuring that students grow in both knowledge and faith while they develop essential digital skills for learning and leading as disciples in the digital age.

Catholic Virtual™ allows students to explore subjects like science, history, and literature, as well as computer science and AI, through the lens of Catholic teaching. This holistic approach not only prepares them academically but also equips them to live out their faith in all aspects of life. Digital learning platforms can help students understand how their faith intersects with every subject, offering a faith-based perspective on everything from academic content to the ethical challenges they will face in the digital world.

A partnership with Catholic Virtual Schools empowers students to navigate their faith in the digital age, preparing them to be engaged, thoughtful, and compassionate disciples of Christ. This educational model empowers students to use their digital tools to serve others, share the Gospel, and build a community that reflects the love of Christ.

Encourage Faithful Digital Literacy

It’s essential to foster digital literacy in a way that integrates faith and academic learning. Encourage students to explore Catholic websites, apps, and online resources that can deepen their understanding of the faith. Introduce them to online communities where they can safely engage with fellow believers and learn about the Catholic Church's teachings. Technology should not only be used for academic purposes but also as a tool for spiritual growth and exploration.

Create Opportunities for Virtual Ministry

The digital world offers endless possibilities for ministry. Educators can create opportunities for students to engage in virtual Bible studies, online service projects, and digital prayer groups. Social media platforms can be a space for students to share their faith, whether through posts, videos, or live streaming Mass or prayer services. By encouraging students to use these platforms as a means of outreach, you help them understand that evangelization can happen online just as it does in person.

Foster Ethical and Respectful Online Communication

Mentor students to communicate with kindness, respect, and honesty in all their digital interactions. Help them understand that their online behavior reflects the values of the Gospel and that they are called to be witnesses of Christ even in the virtual world. Encourage them to be intentional in their online presence, offering words of encouragement, compassion, and truth through their digital interactions.

Being active in the virtual world presents many challenges. With the speed of technology advancements and AI, it's essential that school leaders and educators are informed about these challenges and can guide students in using technology responsibly. Establish clear guidelines for the ethical use of digital tools in your community, focusing on respect, privacy, and safety. Encourage students to be aware of the potential distractions and dangers of the digital world and help them cultivate the discipline to use technology for good. Regular discussions, reflection, and prayer about digital responsibility and accountability will equip students to navigate the internet with confidence and integrity.

Carlo Acutis offers a powerful example of how faith and technology can coexist in the digital age. Carlo’s life shows that technology can be a tool for spreading the Gospel and living out the faith and that the internet can be a platform for education, evangelization, and spiritual growth. As Catholic educators, we have the responsibility to guide our students in using their digital skills for discipleship, them grow in faith and share the Gospel with the world, and the world wide web. By offering virtual classes through a Catholic lens, encouraging digital literacy, creating opportunities for virtual connection, we can help our students navigate the challenges of the modern world as faithful disciples of Christ.