Devised and planned by Carlo Acutis
BLESSED CARLOS ACUTIS
(London, 3 May 1991 – Milan, 11 October 2006)
“‘My life plan is to always be connected to Jesus.’ With these few words, Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia when he was only fifteen years old, outlined the distinctive feature of his brief existence: living with Jesus, for Jesus and in Jesus.”1
To quote Carlo’s own words: “Our destination must be what is infinite, not what is finite. Infinity is our homeland. We have been expected in Heaven since time immemorial.” He also said: “All are born with their own originality, but many die as photocopies.”
To move towards this destination and to not “die as photocopies”, Carlo said that our compass must be the Word of God, against which we must constantly measure ourselves. Extremely special means are required to reach such a lofty destination: the sacraments and prayer. In particular, Carlo placed the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the heart of his own life, which he called “my highway to heaven.” After receiving his first communion at the age of seven, Carlo did not miss daily attendance at mass or reciting the rosary. He would always try to practise Eucharistic Devotion, convinced that “by standing before the Eucharistic Christ, we become holy.” Carlo would often ask himself why we see mile-long queues of people waiting for hours to go to a rock concert or a film, but we never see the same queues in front of the Eucharistic Christ. He would say that people do not realise what they are missing, otherwise churches would be so full that you would not be able to get into them. In the Blessed Sacrament – he would repeat passionately – Christ is present in the same way he was 2000 years ago in the time of the Apostles; that back then, people had to travel constantly to see him, while we are much luckier today because we can find him in any church close to our homes. In his words, “Jerusalem is right on our doorstep.” From his days as a good catechist onwards, he would try his best to find new ways to help others to strengthen their own faith. For this reason, he left us his exhibitions as a legacy, among which the Miracles of the Eucharist stand out. In 2002, while visiting the Meeting Rimini exhibition, Carlo decided to stage an exhibition on the Miracles of the Eucharist recognised by the Church. This demanding work also involved his family for almost two and a half years. The spiritual effects brought about by this exhibition could not have been predicted before it opened. We can confirm that the exhibition has now been hosted on all five continents. Many parishes also asked that the material be collected in a catalogue, which was accompanied by an eminent preface written by Card. Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of the Vatican and Vicar General to his Holiness for the Vatican City, and by His Excellency Mons. Raffaello Martinelli, then Head of the Catechetical Office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. From that moment on, if we may say so given the results, the exhibition “has performed miracles.” In the United States alone, thanks to assistance from the Knights of Columbus, The Cardinal Newman Society and The Real Presence Association and Education, with the support of Card. Edmond Burke, it has been hosted in thousands of parishes and more than 100 universities. It has also been promoted by several Episcopal Conferences, including those of the Philippines, Argentina and Vietnam, etc. It has even travelled to China and Indonesia. Important basilicas and sanctuaries have hosted Carlo’s exhibition, including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima on the occasion of the centenary of Francisco Marto.
It is possible to take a virtual visit of the sites where these miracles took place and download the panels at www.carloacutis.com and www.miracolieucaristici.org. The exhibition is free and can be requested by sending an email to: info@carloacutis.com
Or by writing to:
Associazione Amici di Carlo Acutis
Via Eremo delle Carceri, 30 – 06081 Assisi
Tel: +39 347 4094968
1. (His Excellency Card. Angelo Comastri, Preface to N. Gori, Carlo Acutis, Un giovane per i giovani)