I’m fascinated with history, especially religious history. I’ve heard about Assisi, Italy for decades ever since I heard the story of St. Francis of Assisi. This week I discovered a story about a teenage boy who will be canonized as a saint on April 27 by the Catholic Church. The teenager is named Carlo Acutis. You may be asking why a teenager would be canonized. Let me explain.
Carlo was born on May 3, 1991, to a wealthy Italian family. He took his first communion at the age of seven. Soon thereafter he began attending daily Mass, teaching catechism, and serving the homeless. He also used his computer skills to create an online exhibit of more than one hundred miracles he hoped would encourage faith in Christ.
When he was fifteen, he fell ill, dying ten days later from acute leukemia. Due to his devotion to St. Francis, his remains were transferred to an Assisi cemetery where his body is on view, wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers.
