On Sunday, 7th September, the Church will celebrate with joy the beatification of Carlo Acutis, the young teenager who died only 18 years ago at the age of 15, and who is already inspiring so many as a witness to a life rooted in the Eucharist.
Bishop Brendan Leahy has published a new book, In Conversation with St Carlo Acutis. He explained:
“I have imagined a conversation or interview with Carlo, asking him questions about his life, listening to his views on topics, hearing his advice, welcoming his suggestions. I invite you, the reader of this book, to imagine you are the one asking the questions and making comments. In this way, you can develop your own personal conversation with Carlo.
My hope is that the pages of this book will become an opportunity for you to let yourself be guided by Carlo Acutis on what being ‘alive’ in Christ means.”
Fr Fabio Ciardi OMI, who read the book, commented:
“I read in one sitting a beautiful little book on Carlo Acutis by Bishop Brendan Leahy. Saint Carlo (as he will be proclaimed next Sunday) died only eighteen years ago, at the age of 14.
Brendan has imagined a conversation, almost an interview with him, asking him questions about his life, listening to his opinions on current topics, listening to his advice, welcoming his suggestions. Here and there are phrases written directly by Acutis himself.
Through daily contact with Jesus in the Eucharist, he acquired Jesus’ own gaze of love and saw with his very eyes. He wanted to live like Jesus and to be Eucharist, love, for everyone.”
Carlo’s secret was very simple: a daily relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, which shaped his whole way of seeing, loving, and living. He reminds us that holiness is possible for everyone, even in the midst of ordinary life.
As Carlo himself once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.”
The book isavailable on Amazon