Who is Carlo Acutis? An Interview with His Mom

Summary

This inspiring conversation highlights the extraordinary life and sainthood of Carlo Acutis, a young man known for his deep faith and charity. His mother reflects on raising him, sharing how Carlo's natural holiness transformed her own life and faith. From his early devotion to the Eucharist to his selfless acts of charity, including helping the homeless, Carlo exemplified a life centered on God. Even in his suffering from leukemia, he showed remarkable courage and faith. His story emphasizes the importance of living a life for God and trusting in His plan, even in the face of loss and hardship.

Takeaways

• 😀 Carlo Acutis was an extraordinary young man with deep faith, who will be the first saint canonized from the millennial generation.
• 😀 Carlo's mother shares how her son, from a very young age, had a natural love for God and was deeply religious, which inspired her own conversion to faith.
• 😀 After the sudden death of her father, Carlo had a vision in which he said his grandfather was in purgatory, which led his mother to deepen her understanding of the faith.
• 😀 Carlo's mother had a profound spiritual awakening, encouraged by Carlo's unwavering faith and his devotion to the Eucharist, which transformed her perspective on Catholic sacraments.
• 😀 At just nine years old, Carlo took it upon himself to help the homeless in his city, organizing charity initiatives and demonstrating remarkable empathy for the poor.
• 😀 Carlo practiced moderation and self-control, including limiting his video game use to just one hour per week, teaching others about the importance of temperance in a world filled with distractions.
• 😀 Carlo's mother emphasizes the importance of prayer, particularly daily Eucharistic adoration, reading the Bible, and family prayers as the foundation for raising children in the faith.
• 😀 Despite his youth, Carlo had a mature understanding of death, seeing it not as an end, but as a passage to eternal life with God, which he embraced without fear.
• 😀 Carlo’s story illustrates the power of simple, childlike faith, as he believed deeply in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the importance of this belief for spiritual growth.
• 😀 Carlo's canonization is a testament to his holiness, but his mother reminds others that everyone is called to holiness, regardless of public recognition, and that all lives are valuable in God’s eyes.

Q & A

How did Carlo's mother describe her relationship with the faith before Carlo's example?

Carlo's mother was distant from the faith during her youth. She initially attended Catholic school and participated in religious ceremonies like Holy Communion and Confirmation due to practical reasons rather than personal conviction. It wasn't until Carlo's deep faith and religious example that she began to embrace the faith more fully.

What role did Carlo play in his mother's spiritual transformation?

Carlo's example deeply impacted his mother, especially through his unwavering faith and devotion to the Eucharist. Carlo's questions and actions made his mother confront her own spiritual ignorance and pushed her toward a personal conversion. Her journey included studying theology and developing a deeper relationship with God.

What was Carlo’s stance on material possessions and poverty?

Carlo was very compassionate towards the poor and those suffering in his community. At just nine years old, he started organizing charitable efforts, including buying blankets, providing meals, and offering advice to homeless people. He believed that those who had more should help those who had less, practicing charity directly in his own neighborhood.

How did Carlo handle video games, and what message did he convey about them?

Carlo was cautious about video game use. After learning about the dangers of addiction to video games in the United States, he set a strict limit for himself, playing no more than one hour per week. He emphasized temperance, using technology in moderation, and encouraged others to avoid becoming slaves to it.

What advice did Carlo’s mother give to parents trying to raise children to be holy?

Carlo’s mother advised parents to instill the importance of eternal life in their children's hearts. She emphasized praying with children regularly, teaching them about saints, and visiting holy places. She encouraged parents to be the first catechists for their children, nurturing them in the faith and guiding them toward holiness through both prayer and sacrifice.

How did Carlo view suffering, particularly in relation to his own illness?

Carlo viewed suffering as a means of offering sacrifice for others. When he was diagnosed with leukemia, he accepted his illness with incredible faith, offering his suffering for the church, the pope, and the souls in purgatory. He maintained a positive attitude, often saying there were people suffering more than he was, and he never complained about his condition.

What message did Carlo convey about death and eternal life?

Carlo saw death not as an end, but as the beginning of eternal life. He was not afraid of dying, seeing it as a transition to a greater existence with God. His faith in Jesus allowed him to face death with peace, and he encouraged others to live each day as if it were their last, always prioritizing faith and avoiding sin.

What impact did Carlo's life and example have on others after his death?

Carlo’s life continues to inspire people worldwide, with reports of healings, conversions, and renewed faith linked to his intercession. His example of faith, charity, and love for the Eucharist has brought many back to the Church and strengthened their belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

What role did Carlo's dream play in his mother’s understanding of his eventual canonization?

Months before his death, Carlo appeared to his mother in a dream, telling her that he would be beatified and eventually canonized. This gave her a sense of peace and confirmation of his sanctity, and she was not surprised when his canonization process began after his passing.

How did Carlo’s mother describe his attitude towards the Eucharist?

Carlo had a profound love for the Eucharist, which he considered the most supernatural thing on Earth. He believed that the Eucharist was not just a symbol but the real, physical presence of Jesus. Carlo's reverence for the Eucharist was central to his spiritual life, and he sought to inspire others to recognize its importance and power.