From the Faith and Mission Coordinator

Carlo Acutis, born in London in 1991 and raised in Italy, enjoyed many things in common with his peers – football, playing video games, spending time with friends. He was also a young person of deep faith – using his own money to buy sleeping bags for homeless people, defending classmates who were bullied, and using his skills in technology for evangelisation. He wrote “We don’t need superpowers to be saints, we just need to love”, emphasising, as we have been reflecting on this year, the importance of being animated by love.    

His life shows holiness flourishing in the modern world – on computers, among friends, in family life and in everyday prayers and acts of kindness. Carlo’s statement that “all people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies” is a challenge to live with sincerity and authenticity, despite pressure to do otherwise.

Furthermore, Carlo was deeply committed to helping others discover the beauty of Jesus in the Eucharist. At the time of his death from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, he had developed an extensive on-line catalogue of Eucharistic miracles from around the world. 

A Major Relic Pilgrimage will be journeying through Adelaide from 6 to 9 August. This includes an opportunity to venerate a relic of the young saint and to peruse the Eucharistic Miracles exhibition. Relics are tangible reminders of lives transformed by God, as was Carlo’s. Students will have an opportunity to participate in the Pilgrimage on Friday 7 August. Those interested in participating are asked to email Mrs Pelekani on gpelekani@sac.sa.edu.au Details of the itinerary, locations and times can be found at adelaide.catholic.org.au

Ms Genevieve Pelekani
Faith and Mission Coordinator

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