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While most millennials are scrambling for the next viral TikTok video, Facebook post, or tweet, there was one millennial that spent his time using the internet to glorify God. His life is one which reflects the ability to please God, love the Lord, and serve Christ while juggling school and family. He also enjoyed technology, particularly the internet, as well as the outdoors. Other teenagers may be planning their next selfie or social media post, yet this boy was focused on sharing the love of Christ through the web.
His name is Carlo Acutis, and he was an animal lover, nature enthusiast, and amateur computer programmer. The English born Italian teenager was only 15-years old when he passed away from leukemia, but his life’s work speaks volumes well after his death. Carlo was beatified on October 10, 2020, following a miracle attributed to his intercession regarding the healing of a woman’s son born with a pancreatic defect making it difficult for the boy to eat.
During his life, Carlo would drop everything to attend Mass and spend time before the Lord in adoration. He adored Jesus and he sought every chance he could to spend time in prayer before Christ. Carlo once said, “to always be close to Jesus, that’s my life’s plan.” He lived the life which highlighted this desire. He worked hard in school, enjoyed the outdoors, and studied technology, but he made spending time with Jesus and receiving Him in the Eucharist a priority.
Acutis has been named the patron for the National Eucharistic Revival by the U.S. bishops and it certainly fits the teen. Carlo once called the Eucharist his “highway to heaven” so it is fitting that he be invoked as the patron of the National Eucharistic Revival. When he was alive, he created an internet Eucharistic revival of his own by creating a website highlighting the Eucharist, specifically Eucharistic miracles. Rather than shy away from the internet because of all the negativity, he utilized it to glory God and spread the news about the Eucharist.
Just like all the saints who have preceded him, Carlo took the tools God gave him and glorified God with them. This teen turned the internet into his mission field. He has not officially become the patron saint of the internet, but it certainly fits him. Perhaps, we should all learn a lesson from him and his choice of internet usage and purpose. Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us to use the internet for God’s glory, rather than our own, as you did.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
