Saints Serve as Holy Role Models
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Saint Carlo Acutis was an amazing young man who died at the young age of 15. But in his 15 years on this earth, he did more than many of us do in a lifetime. His devotion to the Catholic faith, to Christ in the Eucharist, to bringing others into the Church, to helping the poor, and to speaking out against abortion changed the lives of people around him and now people around the world. This novena reflects on his life and his actions, and it encourages us to emulate him.
His feast day is October 12, so if you begin this novena today, you can finish on his feast day. But this novena can be said anytime, as he will always hear our prayers.
Because Carlo had a special devotion to Mary, after each day’s prayer, say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Indeed, you once said that the Virgin Mary was the only woman in your life. We know how very special our spiritual mother is and how much she loves us. Help us to increase our devotion to her. Help us to seek her in times of trouble and in times of joy, just like we would an earthly mother. Please go to her with our intentions [add them here]. Ask her to take these prayers to her Son. And please pray for us, that we may grow in closeness to both Mary and Jesus. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, after making your First Communion, you faithfully attended daily Mass. You also had a special devotion to Christ in the Eucharist, and you frequently would stop by the tabernacle and pray, wanting to spend even more time with Jesus. You understood how precious that time was, and you knew the importance of prayer and quiet time with Our Lord. Help us learn from you how to spend time in quiet reflection so that we, too, will become closer to Him. Now that you are there in His presence, please take our prayers [mention them here] to Jesus and implore Him to answer them. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, in addition to attending daily Mass, you faithfully said the rosary every day. Our Lady has often said how important it is to say the rosary and to go to her in prayer. Sometimes our lives get busy, we let worldly things get in our way, and we don’t pray enough. We don’t take the time you took to talk to our mother, to seek out her wisdom and guidance, and to allow her to comfort us and intercede on our behalf. Help us to make that time. Pray for us so that we are able to put aside those worldly distractions and go to her in prayer. And please pray for our intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you once said that our goal must be the infinite, not the finite, because the infinite is our homeland. You understood that the earth is not our final home and that everything we do here on earth determines where we will spend eternity. Your goal was to always be close to Jesus, and that should be our goal as well, for if we stay close to Him, we will surely spend eternity with Him. Please pray that we spend every day trying to get closer to God, listening to His words, talking to Him in prayer, and doing good things for others. And please pray for my special intention [mention it here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you taught others that our compass must be the word of God. Your example and the love you showed to others made a difference in the lives of so many. Pray for us, that like you, we may live our lives with God’s word as our guidepost and that all we do is done for His glory. Help us to not only listen to His words but to live them and to teach others, just as you did. And please pray for my intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you once said that “all people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.” You wanted everyone to know that they are unique and have a unique mission on this earth. You were truly someone who did not conform to society's standards and instead conformed to God's will. This was evident in the countless hours you spent helping those most in need, especially children, the sick, the homeless, and the elderly. You made an impact on their lives. You taught them about Christ. And you made them feel like they mattered. Help us to be more like you, to treat others well, and to give of ourselves, even when we don’t feel like it. And please pray for me and my intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you placed the Eucharist at the center of your life and called it your “highway to heaven.” You rightly understood that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist and that fortifying yourself with Him, especially every day like you did, helped you become holier. In becoming holier, you became closer to Christ. You wanted to share Eucharistic miracles with the world, so you spent years compiling a list so that we could all see the miraculous nature of the Eucharist. We so desperately want to become like Jesus. We want to be closer to Him. Please pray that we put aside any pettiness, anger, resentment, or hatred that we feel. We know those have no place in our hearts. And please pray for my intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you asked us to spread the Gospel through our lives so that each of us can be a beacon to light the journey of others. You were certainly that light for so many. You taught the catechism to young students. You took food and clothing to the homeless, and you taught your friends how to live like Christ. Your life was an amazing example of living the Gospel and spreading that light so that others could come to know Jesus through you. Imagine what our world would be like if we all did that! We should all have that desire—that fire in our hearts. Please pray that we change our behaviors so that we, too, can be the light of Christ here on earth. And please pray for my intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Saint Carlo, you once said, “To be close to Jesus is my life plan.” You had such devotion to and such love for Christ. You spent hours in adoration craving a closeness to Him. You prayed unceasingly. You are a beautiful example of how to love and how to pray. Please pray that I work hard at becoming closer to Him. It’s so easy to become lazy in prayer, but prayer must be a part of us, not simply a part of our day. Help us to incorporate into our days conversations with Christ, Adoration, short prayers throughout the day, and time to just listen to Him so that prayer is not just something we do before bed. And please pray for my intentions [mention them here]. Amen.
Say three Hail Marys.
Susan Lochner Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame and an MLS from Indiana University. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2003; nearly 17 of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently, she is the editor of American Life League’s Celebrate Life Magazine—the nation’s premier Catholic pro-life magazine. She is also the director and executive editor of ALL’s Culture of Life Studies Program—a pre-K-12 Catholic pro-life education organization. Susan has written hundreds of Catholic and secular articles and has edited nearly two dozen books.
