Carlo Acutis
Who is Carlo Acutis?
Carlo was an extremely good natured kid growing up and as a young child, he would often ask his parents deep questions they couldn’t answer. He also loved to go into churches to say hello to Jesus and Mary and would often ask his parents to bring him. He started to get his parents to question the meaning behind their lives and slowly he brought them back to their faith again.
Carlo was very ordinary growing up. He loved football, playing music and video games although he would only limit himself to one hour of video games every week because he felt they were so addictive! His friends describe him as a normal guy who wasn’t perfect but stood out because of his positive outlook and his good example in everyday life, often helping the bullied, the disabled, the homeless, the migrants.
Carlo had a great love for God and aimed to stay close to Jesus and Mary in his life. He loved to pray and attend mass and he really believed in the power of the Eucharist. Carlo couldn’t understand why so many people would attend pop concerts but then never go to churches to see the creator of the universe. Because of this, he made a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world.
Carlo always believed he would die young and he tried to live life to the full and not waste it. When he was 15 he fell ill with galloping leukemia and died within the week. Although he was in great pain, he told the doctors “there are others who suffer more than me”. You can find out more about Carlo Acutis and his Eucharistic miracle project here or hear about what it was like to grow up with Carlo Acutis from his childhood friend Federico Oldani here.
About Carlo Acutis Ireland
In January 2023, Brenda Cleary visited the tomb of Carlo Acutis on a day trip visit to Assisi from Rome. Although she had not heard about the young saint prior to the trip, she was totally captivated by him resting in the tomb and was determined to find out more about him. A few months later in collaboration with Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino in Assisi, Brenda set off with a mission to bring the primary relic of Carlo Acutis to every diocese on the island of Ireland from Assisi. It was at this point Carlo Acutis Ireland came to life. Since then thousands of people have gathered in churches across Ireland to learn more about Carlo Acutis and to venerate and be blessed by the relic.
In October 2023, the Ong family visited Assisi for the first time after being inspired by two young Italian Capuchin friars who had been studying in Ireland. Like Brenda, upon arrival, the Ong family knew nothing about Carlo Acutis but after visiting his tomb, they too were greatly moved and inspired by his story and had a desire to share it with others. A month later back in Dublin, they met Brenda when the primary relic of Carlo was visiting St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Church Street, Dublin. The two families connected and it wasn't long before the Ong family became a part of the Carlo Acutis Ireland team! In May 2024, the Ong family made a second visit to Assisi to update Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino on the progress of Carlo Acutis Ireland. The Ong family across Ireland in schools, hospitals and parishes promoting Carlo in anyway they can.
