Editor’s Note: The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which was scheduled for April 27, was postponed after the death of Pope Francis.
Saint Dominic Savio said, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want everything I do, even the smallest thing, to be for the greater glory of God.” Those smallest things must have made quite an impression on Saint John Bosco because the Italian Catholic priest wrote a biography on him. Saint Dominic Savio died in 1857 at the age of 14.
I was more of an impressionable child than one who made any impression on others. Growing up in an era of Evel Knievel, The Fonz, and Vinnie Barbarino (younger readers: Google alert!), I was jumping ramps with a bike and trying to act embarrassingly cooler than I actually was rather than reflecting on what I learned in CCD.
This is one of the reasons why I am truly amazed and fascinated with the canonization April 27 of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at age 15. Another reason is that I have taught kids in Blessed Carlo’s age group for many years, and found them to be, well, let’s just say, their demeanor would not be characterized as saintly.
Many of these kids’ pastime – and I say this with all due affection – was filled with computer games and cartoons, light sabers and Legos; whose appearance was always just a little disheveled; whose hygienic essence, especially after gym class, was, shall we say, dubious; whose behaviors were a little giggly and goofy; whose attention span could be likened to a fruit fly. These kids can quickly tap dance on the nerves of teachers, coaches, parents and society as a whole.
By the time Blessed Carlo was 7, he was going to daily Mass and reciting the Rosary. By the time he was 11, he built a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles from around the world, sharing his love of the Eucharist with others. By the time he was 12, he was a catechist for his parish. He was known to show kindness, defended bullied classmates, and helped the elderly, homeless and those with disabilities. He kept a diary outlining his spiritual growth. When he was diagnosed with leukemia at age 15, he offered up his suffering for the pope and the Church.
I am also truly amazed by Blessed Carlo because when I was around that age, I was sharpening my pencils down to a nub because I thought it was cool. Even my own children would at least, once a school year, come to me around 8 o’clock on a Sunday evening to tell me they needed poster paper for a project due Monday.
While we parents would like to believe that we have a greater influence over our children’s behavior, that isn’t necessarily so. According to psychologists, children’s brains begin to seek social rewards, attention and approval, especially from their peers, around age 10. So while Blessed Carlo said his life plan was “to always be close to Jesus,” many kids, dare I say, are more focused on impressing their classmates.
However, throughout history, there have been a number of teen saints. Saint Stanislaus Kostka was known to be a model of religious perfection. He was 17. Saint Teresa of the Andes, inspired by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, followed God’s call and became a Discalced Carmelite nun. She was 19. Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a scholar in the sciences and Christianity who converted many to Christianity. She was 18. Saint Pedro Calungsod was a missionary martyred in Guam. He was 17. Saint Philomena was martyred for her faith. She was 13, just to name a few.
Along with these teen saints and spiritual role models, Blessed Carlo Acutis has made an impression on our world, and I pray that he will make an impression on our children far more than celebrities, athletes, social media influencers, or the kid sitting in the back of the classroom.
Deacon Dean Johnson serves at Church of the Holy Family, Sewell.
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