Learning from the Life of Carlo Acutis
At the beginning of every Pokemon video game you start with a choice. This initial choosing and naming your first Pokemon is something that many people have experienced, including both myself, and Carlo Acutis. Just like there are three Pokemon to choose from, I would like to focus on three defining elements in life of Carlo Acutis: wisdom, which seemed to set a course for his short life; passion because he was on a mission and determined not to waste any time; and acceptance, never shaken from his faith even when predicting his own death.
What is wisdom? In Proverbs it is said that “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Father Mike Schmitz says “Fear of the Lord is recognizing God for who He is.” In a time where we have such confusion, there are so many ways, so many temptations for us to twist the truth. How does this connect with Carlo? He was a very smart kid. At three months old he said his first word. At five months old he was speaking. At four years old he was reading and praying a daily rosary. He was smart, but his wisdom is really what made Carlo stand out from the crowd and changed lives. Even at the early age of three years old, Carlo was drawn to the church, recognizing God for who He is in a way that many people are still struggling with today. Even though neither of them was practicing their faith, Carlo managed to bring his parents back to church, Carlo was comfortable and drawn to the church, touching the cross with reverence and leaving flowers for Mary.
At seven years old Carlo received his first communion and told his parents that he wanted to attend daily Mass. “Holy Mass, Holy Me” Carlo would say, treasuring Mass and his relationship with Jesus in a truly amazing way. On one occasion, his father invited Carlo on a business trip to Israel. Instead of jumping at the chance to travel to the Holy Land, Carlo wanted to give the money to the poor, telling his father that Israel is present at the altar of every Mass that he attends. This insight is the wisdom that Carlo was blessed with, and he made it his mission to share it with as many people as he could. Carlo was humble, not vain or focusing on his accomplishments. “Not me, but God.” he would say, and this ability he had to turn the focus onto God and the Eucharist is something I treasure and hope to emulate in my own life. Our Catholic faith is simple, Carlo said “Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God.”
Carlo had an obvious impact on everyone around him, his faith was his passion. Carlo was filled with compassion for the poor and would buy sleeping bags to give away, help with charitable events and make informational packets for those who might not know where to go for help. Carlo also saw an opportunity with the internet and how it could be used for good. When he was nine years old Carlo started programming, learning from college level textbooks. He soon became a web designer, and you might be interested to hear that some of his code is still incorruptible today.
Carlo played video games like Halo, Mario, and Pokemon, and watched cartoons. He played sports, was teaching himself music with the saxophone and enjoyed reading like most kids do. But there was a passion that Carlo found in his faith, always doing his best at putting God first. Carlo recognized his own sinfulness and would try to avoid temptations at every turn. He would only allow himself to play video games for an hour each week. Carlo said “What does it matter if you can win a thousand battles if you cannot win against your own corrupt passions? It doesn’t matter. The real battle is with ourselves.” He embraced this challenge of our faith in a way that inspires me to be mindful of sin and constantly turning to God.
A digital painting of Blessed Carlo made by John Budraka
Confirmed at eleven years old, Carlo started to gather information about various Eucharistic Miracles saying “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven!” Carlo thought that if people really knew, really understood the glorious gift of the Eucharist, then in the same way that you might see thousands of people lining up for concerts and sold-out stadiums, with that same enthusiasm or more we should be seeing people lining up for Adoration.
This passion to share your faith through digital media is something that I strongly share with Carlo Acutis. I make digital art and video games, and there is something special that I have found when making pieces of artwork that are faith focused. While I think it is important for everyone to recognize their own strengths, gifts and missions in life, we need to remember every day that God’s love is our true destination. Like Carlo said, “To be always close to Jesus, that's my life plan.”
It took Carlo two years to make the website on Eucharistic Miracles, and he was fifteen when he made a video, stating that when he reached a certain weight he would die. At the end of that video he clapped his hands, wearing a genuine smile without a worry in the world. Within a couple of months his family took him to the hospital, and on the way there he told his parents that he would not be leaving there alive. He was then diagnosed with leukemia and died in the following days. After his death, Carlo visited his mother in a vision, telling her that he would be sending many signs and told her that she would be having twins, which, four years after the day of Carlos' death she did. Carlo was so focused on God that he did not fear death or feel regret for having had such a short life. He would say “Our goal must be infinite, not the finite. The infinite is our homeland. Heaven has been waiting for us forever.”
Carlo offered up his suffering for the Pope, the Church and for his own sanctity. Before I knew Carlo, I had never thought to pray for myself like that. Carlo said “The only thing we have to ask God for, in prayer, is the desire to be holy,” and this direct request has been something I have incorporated into my prayer life, and I would encourage you to do the same.
Carlo was fifteen when he passed away, I was only thirteen at the time and was not introduced to him until many years later. Michelle, my wife, and I had the opportunity to pray in front of relics from Carlo Acutis while we were dating, and his intercessions have helped us keep faith, hope and love at the core of our relationship. Center your life on faith, pursue your mission with zeal, and find peace and joy in each day in the same way that Carlo Acutis lived his life.
John Budraka
The above article is adapted from a saints presentation John shared with the All Saints Club. Check the calendar for upcoming meetings.