Novena for the Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis

By Rev Fr. Wilfred Epie Emeh with an introduction by Lambert Mbom 

As we enter into the great celebration of Easter, the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our minds and hearts should burn for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. While particularly relevant for young people, given he died at 15 and had all the trappings of contemporary youth namely “Jeans, sneakers, computers and social media” it is rather his love for and devotion to the Eucharist that elevates him for all to emulate, the young and not so young. 

The Church teaches that the “Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian faith.” It is the total gift of body, blood, soul and divinity that is offered as a sacrifice to feed us. Yet, many of us either do not understand or do not truly believe this reality. We have a Eucharistic crisis so to speak. There is a demonstrable lack of knowledge and faith in what the Eucharist is. Sadly and scandalously, many of us who show up for communion betray a mere “performative demeanor” 

Soon to be saint, Blessed Acutis helps us appreciate the value of the Eucharist. He will be canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27th 2025. 

To help get a better appreciation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Fr Wilfred Emeh has suggested a 15 days novena from April 12th  to April 27th 2025 and thereafter anytime towards his feast day.  During this novena, this year, we shall pray for the canonization of this millennial and seek his intercession. “We become what we eat” This Easter may we develop a deep appreciation of and love for the Eucharist. 

Fifteen days Prayer for the intercession of St Carlo Acutis by Rev Fr Wilfred Emeh

Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 but raised in Milan. He passed away at the age of 15 in 2006 after having lived a life of total communion with Jesus. He was an internet-savvy young man who utilized his talent to evangelize, especially about the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. He will be canonized on April 27, 2025, in Rome. Among other miracles, on the day Carlo passed away, a woman was healed of breast cancer through his intercession. Carlo’s mom gave birth to twins at the age of 44, exactly 4 years after he passed away. She acknowledged it was through her son’s intercession.  This prayer is in honor of the fifteen years Carlo Acutis lived. We can ask for his intercession for healing, for the well-being of our children, for the conversion of a family member, a miracle, or any other personal need. 

Prayer Format

1. Make the sign of the cross. 

Opening prayer:

2. My Lord Jesus, I believe that you are truly present, body, soul, and divinity in the Eucharist. I believe in the miracles of the Eucharist recorded and promoted by Blessed Carlo Acutis. Thank you for the miraculous intercessions of Blessed Carlo that brought relief to the Brazilian boy healed of pancreatic disease, the Costa Rican woman healed of brain hemorrhage, and the woman healed of breast cancer.  I am confident that Carlo is in heaven, where he continues to intercede for sinners, because you have assured us in your Word that the prayers of the righteous are powerful. Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner, and cleanse my lips so that my prayers and petitions may rise before your throne of grace through the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis. St. Carlo, pray for me (mention your intentions). Amen!

3. Scripture Readings (Select each Scripture reading chronologically from the list below per day). 

1 Cor 11:23-26, Lk 22:14-20, Mtt 26:26-29, Ex 12:5-13, 1kgs 19:4-8, Ps 78:23-25, Jn 6:28-32, Jn 6:33-37, Jn 6:38-42, Jn 6:43-47, Jn 6:48-54, Jn 6:55-64, Jn 19:34-37, Lk 24:25-32, 1Cor 10:14-17, 1Cor 11:27-29

4. Our Father…

5. Concluding Prayer

O God our Father,
We thank you for giving us Carlo,
a model of life for young people,
And a message of love for all.
You made him fall in love with your son Jesus,
making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.”
You gave him Mary as a beloved mother,
And you made him, through the Rosary,
A cantor of her tenderness.
Receive his prayer for us.
Look above all upon the poor, whom he loved and assisted.
Grant me, too, through his intercession, the grace.
that I need (mention your intention).
And make our joy complete, raising Carlo among
the saints of your Church,
so that his smile shines again for us
to the glory of your name. Amen.

6. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…

7. End with the sign of the cross.

Consider the following as you offer your prayers

- Attend Mass at least three times during this novena prayer

- Receive the Eucharist in the state of grace when you attend, that is, without any mortal sin

- Go to confession at least once before the conclusion of the prayer

This prayer can be said at any time in April, preferably by April 27, the day of his canonization. 
This prayer can also be used as a novena from October 3rd to October 12th, the feast day of St. Carlo Acutis. But when this prayer is used after his canonization, the concluding prayer ends at “mention your intention.”

Fr. Wilfred Emeh