Woodrose welcomed the Pilgrim Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis on September 15-16, 2022. The relic is a gift to the Philippines from the Diocese of Assisi in Italy (where his body is buried) and the Associazione Amici di Carlo Acutis. We are grateful that we have been given the opportunity to pray more intently in his presence.
About Blessed Carlo Acutis:
- He died at the age of 15 on October 12, 2006 due to leukemia; and was beatified on October 10, 2020.
- “To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” This is the distinguishing feature of his short but extraordinary life…to live with Jesus, for Jesus, and in Jesus.
- He was exceptionally compassionate. He defended those who were bullied in school and volunteered in charitable organizations that helped the poor and homeless.
- He was a typical teen who enjoyed sports, music, movies, computers, and video games. But he limited his video game time to one hour a week as a form of penance and discipline.
- He considered the Holy Eucharist as his “highway to heaven.”
- His strong interest in computer programming and the internet, coupled with his love for the Holy Eucharist, led him to create a website dedicated to Eucharistic Miracles that has been translated to 17 languages.
- When he was diagnosed with leukemia, he offered his sufferings “for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.”
- Pope Francis spoke of him as a witness of holiness in the digital age. His life is a model for today’s youth on how to properly use and enjoy technology, the internet and social media.
- He is referred to as the patron of young people and of computer programmers.
- Read more about Blessed Carlo Acutis here.
May we all be inspired by the life and example of Blessed Carlo Acutis “to always be close to Jesus.”