Saint Carlo Acutis, "I need (computer) help!'

I must confess, even as a member of generation X, whether it’s the laptop glitching, setting up my phone, connecting wifi routers or using bluetooth, I find myself struggling with technology. After I have exhausted my only two IT skills...

1. checking all the connections and wires and

2. turning the computer off and on again

...I usually call upon my generation Z children to fix my computer problem... “Vance! I need help!’ has been an oft-cry for help in my house.

It is said that my son and the rest of Gen Z are considered to be ‘natives’ in the technology, internet and computer age. As our collective dependence on IT guys grew, so too did our Gen Z kids. They are like technology-land Sacagaweas helping us, the Gen X Lewis and Clark, navigate our way through this computer-age expedition on which we involuntarily find ourselves. 

Like soon to be Saint Carlo Acutis, our teens grew up in a world permeated with the use of video game platforms, smartphones and computers.

Now we Catholics all have a ‘perpetual teenager’ (aka technology expert) in heaven waiting to intercede for us and bring supernatural help to our tech foibles and limits. 

Carlo Acutis was fascinated with computer coding and taught himself some of the basic coding languages, including C and C++. he used his web-design technology skills to create an online resource demonstrating that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist by highlighting the many eucharistic miracles. 

Carlo loved playing video games. His mother recalls that he liked Nintendo Game Boy and GameCube as well as PlayStation and Xbox.Since he was a saint he was able to limit his video gaming to two hours per week. He used his time online and even while gaming to evangelize others.

With great virtue, he resisted technology or computer related addictions. He owned his computer and phone; his computer and phone did not own him! Instead, he used technology as a tool to advance the kingdom of God on earth.

While the Church already has a patron Saint of technology and the internet, St. Isidore of Seville (you probably have never heard of him), With all due respect to Saint Isadore, he lived during the 7th century. Technology back then found its cutting edge with the windmill. Needless to say, he was not exactly computer-savy.

We now have someone up there from the 21st century who can actually code! Our first millennial saint, not Gen Z but close enough! So now even Saint Isadore has a teenage IT helper to be a co-patron saint of the internet and computer technology. Once Acutis is canonized during the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers - April 25–27, 2025, we will officially have this saintly duo to call for tech support and they have been known to help in internet spiritual warfare.

There is a true story from the Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal Exorcist diaries. It describes a time when Carlo Acutis was called upon by the Center to resolve a problem of demonic interference in their electronic communications.  

As if technology is not hard enough, the devil has to make it even more difficult. I suspect this has happened to me because when I am either teaching about the Real Presence or about the Virgin Mary my computer or screen or projector almost always malfunctions in some way. 

“Many people rely on these monthly (online) deliverance sessions; we typically have 15,000 registrants from all over the world.  So it is particularly important that these sessions go through.  One of our SMC staff mentioned Blessed Carlo Acutis, perhaps he could help.  I was not very familiar with him.  I had seen pictures and heard a little bit but that's all.

It turns out, he was a web designer.  Ah hah!  Sounds like the perfect person to help protect our online communications from demons. So, we invoked Blessed Carlo at the beginning of the next session.  One of our gifted souls said that he was indeed present in a big way.  And this was the first monthly session that went off without a hitch.” (1) 

When faced with the suspicion of demonic electronic interference or any satanic presence online, the Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal also recommends what they call, ‘The Umbrellino (Umbrella) for Technology Prayer’…

Lord Jesus Christ, Sovereign King enthroned in Heaven, in your love and mercy establish a perimeter of protection with Your Precious Blood around our communication devices and all technology used during this session, the cameras or webcams, microphones, speakers, displays, any and all software, WiFi connections in the air, both my router and the router of N. and anyone assisting, the optic cables involved in the transmission of data, and the light waves being used to transfer data. Cleanse them with your precious blood and drive from them any satanic influence. Establish around them a sanctuary of your mercy where Satan and any other evil spirit or human agency cannot interfere. I ask Father that you would block, bind, rebuke and render impotent any assault of the evil one from them in any way. Father, so long as these instruments are utilized in this ministry of Divine mercy, we ask you to allow them to enjoy the protection of the Blessed Mother, St. Michael the Archangel and all the Holy Angels. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name, the Name before which every knee shall bow, in heaven, on the earth and under the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

(at the end of this prayer we can add) Saint Isadore of Seville, pray for us. Saint Carlo Acutis, pray for us.  Amen

I will still be calling for my teen tech helper but these days it may sound more like, “Saint Carlo, I need help!’