How Blessed Carlo ‘Leveled Up’ to Saint Carlo: The Path to Canonization
The Church doesn’t take the title "Saint" lightly. It's reserved for those whose lives so clearly reflected Christ that the entire Church can look to them as models of holiness. And now, Blessed Carlo Acutis—a teenage tech whiz who loved Jesus and built a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles—is on the verge of officially becoming Saint Carlo Acutis.
But how does someone become a saint? And why Carlo? Let’s break it down.
The Road to Sainthood: A Four-Step Process
The Catholic Church has a formal and prayerful path for declaring saints. It involves careful investigation, witness testimonies, and proof of miracles. The process includes these four stages:
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Servant of God – This title is given once a cause for sainthood is opened, and the individual is recognized for living a life of heroic virtue.
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Venerable – The Vatican reviews the person’s life and writings, confirming they demonstrated heroic virtue.
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Blessed – After one verified miracle is attributed to the individual’s intercession, they are beatified and given the title “Blessed.”
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Saint – Canonization requires a second verified miracle. Once approved, the person is officially declared a Saint and added to the universal calendar of the Church.
Carlo’s Verified Miracles
Carlo was declared Venerable in 2018, and his first miracle—the healing of a young Brazilian boy who had a rare pancreatic disease—led to his beatification in 2020.
Now, a second miracle has been officially recognized by the Vatican. Though the details are still unfolding, this second miraculous healing through Carlo’s intercession is what paves the way for his canonization.
This makes Carlo one of the youngest saints in modern history, and notably, the first millennial to be canonized.
Why Carlo? Why Now?
The Church canonizes saints not just to honor them, but to present them as examples of holy living for the rest of us. Carlo’s life is a beacon for today’s world—especially for the digital generation. He shows us that:
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You can love video games and love Jesus.
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Technology can be a tool for evangelization.
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Holiness isn’t out of reach for teenagers.
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A love for the Eucharist can transform your life.
He didn't found a religious order or write long theological books. But he loved God with his whole heart, lived with joy, and inspired everyone around him.
As the Church prepares to canonize him, it’s a moment not just for celebration, but for inspiration. Especially for families like ours—and maybe yours—raising kids in a tech-saturated world, Carlo shows that it’s still possible to be in the world but not of it.
