Youth group chooses Millennial Saint as model of holiness

By Myrna Bermudo

St. Carlo Acutis, the newly canonized Millennial Saint, was chosen as the patron saint and model of holiness by Christ the King Parish Social Communications Ministry (CKP SOCOMM) in Palestina, Pili, with Arjay Recaña as President and Fr. Emil Valeza, Parish Priest.

“He is our patron and inspiration in serving God through the media,” the Parish-based social media group said. 

A triduum mass was celebrated on Oct. 9-11 in preparation for Acutis' feast on Oct. 12, Sunday. Twenty-two members were installed. 

To prepare for the said event, a two-day training seminar was conducted last Sept 28 - Oct 5. 

Born on May 3, 1991 in London and raised in Milan, Acutis grew up like many young people playing video games, programming computers and exploring the internet. Yet, he had an extraordinary soul deeply in love with Jesus Christ, especially with the Holy Eucharist. Carlo attended mass daily, prayed the rosary faithfully and spent hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. 

His motto, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” reflected the center of his spiritual life. Carlo also used his talent to create a website cataloging church-verified eucharistic miracles around the world. He showed kindness, helped the needy and his lonely classmates. 

Acutis died of leukemia on October 12, 2006. He was only 15. He was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020 and was canonized on 7 September 2025.

Asked why they have chosen St. Carlo as their patron, Recaña said: “We have chosen St. Carlo Acutis as our patron saint because he represents what it truly means to use [social] media for God’s glory. Just like our mission, St. Carlo showed that technology and social media can be powerful tools in sharing God’s love and spreading the Gospel. His life reminds us that holiness is possible even in the digital world. Through his example, we are inspired to make God’s presence felt in every post, photo and story we share.”