St Michael’s parish honours sanctity of the young man who loved computers and God |17 September 2020

An exhibition is being displayed at the St Michael parish, Anse aux Pins, showcasing the life and work of Carlo Acutis, an Italian Roman Catholic teenager who died from leukaemia in 2006.

Acutis was best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world and cataloguing them all onto a website that he himself created in the months before his death.

For his devotion to his faith and the extensive work he did, there have been calls for him to be beatified. After the process commenced, he became titled as a Servant of God, the first stage on the path towards sainthood.

On July 5, 2018, Pope Francis declared him to be Venerable; the same Pope approved a miracle attributed to him which enabled Acutis to be beatified in a ceremony at the Papal Basilica of St Francis of Assisi on Saturday, October 10.

The exhibition was put together by Father Lonnie Adrienne with the help of Jane Stravens and other parish members who showcased a very detailed presentation of Carlo Acutis’ research on Eucharistic miracles.

The exhibition was officially opened in a special mass presided over by Father Adrienne where described Carlo Acutis as a boywho showed exemplary faith and should serve as an example for young people, and for all of us.

“His faith and devotion towards God was present at a very early age and he spent the last months of his life serving God by creating his Website” said the Father.

Prayer groups have formed around Carlo Acutis all over the world: in India, the United States, Afghanistan, Europe, Australia and Vietnam. Carlo’s burial place is in Assisi, which has seen an increase of thousands of visitors just to visit his tomb, besides the tomb of St. Francis.

“Many times, young people leave the faith because they don’t see the relevance of practicing in the world today. But Carlo Acutis was very actual. All of us would be very original if we respond to our roots in God. We are made in his image. The more we conform to Christ, the more profoundly we become ourselves” said Father Adrienne.

People interested to view Carlo’s work will be able to see it on Saturday and Sunday before and after mass at the St. Michael church.The organisers noted that they do not know the exact date of when the exhibition will close but added that when Carlo gets beatified he will have a special place in the church.

The accompanying photos show highlights of the special mass and some displays in the exhibition.

Christophe Zialor

Photos: Louis Toussaint