This teen should be the patron saint of the internet

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.