A Gift from Heaven

I had been waiting for what I knew would be a gift from heaven. I knew it would come in a small package through the mail with an earthly postmark. However, its true origin would be heaven.
           
I requested some months ago a first class relic of a young Italian man who died at the age of 15 on October 12, 2006. He was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis. That young man is Blessed Carlo Acutis.  But why are relics important for Catholics?  And why is his relic such a gift to us here in our diocese?
           
Catholics have venerated the saints, holy men and women, from the earliest times of the Church. In the year 156 A.D. a letter written in Smyrna details the death of St. Polycarp. A line from that letter states, “And so we afterwards took up his bones which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are able, in gladness and joy, and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom.” We see the beginning of the celebration of feast days of saints and the celebration of Mass at their tombs in this letter.
           
St. Jerome in the 5th Century noted in a letter to a man named Reparius, “We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are.” So, too, the veneration of the bodies of those saints who were not martyred for Christ grew and continues to this day.
           
The Second Vatican Council, in the Apostolic Constitution on the Church taught, “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the Church more firmly in holiness… They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus… So, by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped” (Lumen Gentium #49).  We see that the saints are truly our brothers and sisters in Christ and members of the Church in heaven.
           
The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the presence of the saints in our life, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” (Heb 12:1). The saints are the ones who ran the race in this life and are with God in heaven interceding for us. That is why the Church in the Preface of the Saints at Mass confesses, “By their way of life you offer us an example, by communion with them you give us companionship, by their intercession sure support.”
           
It is no wonder that we love and venerate the saints and ask them to pray for us. It is no wonder that we highly prize and venerate their relics.
           
So what is a first class relic? It is from the body of a saint. For example, a piece of bone, a strand of hair, or some other part of the saint’s body. A second class relic is an item that a saint owned or frequently used, for example a crucifix, rosary, book, or article of clothing. A third class relic is usually a piece of cloth that has been touched to a first or second class relic.  Just as people sought to touch the person or the clothing of of Jesus and the apostles, so we, too, in faith reach out to the relics of the saints.
           
Let’s get back to Blessed Carlo Acutis. As I noted, I requested a first class relic of him from the association that is promoting devotion to him where his tomb is located in Assisi, Italy. As I read his story, I became convinced that he is a powerful witness for us. Why?
           
First, Blessed Carlo is a saint for our times. He was a young man who was born only 30 years ago into a family who were not practicing their Catholic Faith. God’s grace transformed him in a remarkable way. Baptized shortly after his birth in 1991, he developed a deep love for Jesus. He often said, “Always to be united to Jesus, this is my program for life,” and “Not love of self, but the glory of God.”  He led his own family members into a deeper relationship with Our Lord.
           
Second, Blessed Carlo was a normal, happy youth who went to Catholic school, loved soccer, swimming and taking hikes in the Italian countryside. He was brilliant in using the Internet and computer technology and was recognized as a “computer whiz” by experienced programmers.  He sounds like young people today.
Third, God’s grace perfected the natural gifts and talents of Blessed Carlo. He used his computer skills for holy and beautiful purposes. He established a website about Eucharistic miracles which is maintained today by people devoted to him and to making Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist known and loved.
Fourth, in his deep faith Blessed Carlo was drawn to a profound devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He often said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven” and “The Eucharist is truly the Heart of Jesus.” In our days, when fewer Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, Blessed Carlo is a great example to help us rekindle amazement at how Jesus is substantially present in this wondrous Sacrament.

Fifth, his spiritual life was guided by a living and tender devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Blessed Carlo said, “The Virgin Mary is the only woman in my life,” and “I never fail to keep the most gracious appointment of the day—recitation of the Holy Rosary.” He had great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. His Polish babysitter Beata, a faithful Catholic, who cared for Blessed Carlo for four years, recalls his devotion to the Blessed Mother and how he consecrated himself to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii: “He made us take him there to do the special consecration… and afterwards, all of us together recited the Rosary before the miraculous image of the holy Virgin.”

Sixth, Blessed Carlo practiced charity in a heroic way. From his early years, he showed himself to be generous in self-giving. He would befriend everyone, including gatekeepers, janitors, immigrants and domestic workers. With his own money he bought sleeping bags for the homeless. He brought hot drinks to beggars. He volunteered in a soup kitchen run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. He reached out to others to encourage them and pray for them. Blessed Carlos’s source of charity was Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. He would say, “Without Him, I can do nothing.” He went to Mass, daily receiving Holy Communion, and made daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Going to the Eucharistic Jesus daily is what kept him reaching out in charity to others.  He prayed for everyone he met.

Seventh, Blessed Carlo was a great evangelizer, catechist and defender of the Faith. He witnessed to his peers and classmates about the moral teachings of the Church. He defended the sacredness of human life and told others that abortion was wrong. He reached out to classmates whose parents were getting divorced. He told others about the necessity of going to Mass and confession and of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. He preached the truth by word and example.

Finally, Blessed Carlo showed the power of offering sacrifices and sufferings for others. He lived the message of Our Lady of Fatima and offered his life in reparation for sins and for the salvation of others. His life was cut short by sudden acute leukemia. The intense suffering he experienced at the end he offered for the Holy Father and the Church.

I am sure you agree with me that Blessed Carlo Acutis is a saint for our times, for young people and for all of us struggling to become saints. His story is touching and beautiful.

As we embark on the Movement for Eucharistic Revival in our diocese, we can look to Blessed Carlo as a special patron, helper and intercessor. I know you can see why getting that package with his relic inside was for me and will be for so many people truly a gift from heaven.

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh