Blessed Carlo Acutis

A Saint in Sneakers

How does a boy from Milan who only lived to the age of 15 become a global "influencer for God" more than a decade after he died? Discover the inspiring story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial to be Beatified by the Catholic Church.

This tech-savvy teen has shown the world that computer coding and video games are not mutually exclusive with sainthood. Born in the same year as the launch of the World Wide Web, Carlo has been hailed by the pope for providing a witness to holiness in our digital age at a time when Christians are still grappling with how best to live out their faith in the world of laptops, cell phones, and social media.

From a young age, Carlo's enthusiasm for God was contagious. He called the Eucharist "my highway to heaven" and was eager to tell anyone who would listen about the incredible reality of Jesus' presence in the world, hidden in our neighborhoods under the appearances of bread and wine. 

Vatican journalist Courtney Mares traveled in the footsteps of Acutis in the Italian cities of Milan and Assisi to write this biography, which weaves storytelling with well-researched reporting to tell the inspiring story of a modern saint. Drawing on the testimonies of the numerous lives changed by Carlo, this book paints a portrait of Carlo as seen through the eyes of his family, friends, teachers, and classmates.

The book features a section on seven Eucharistic miracles, bringing you to Catholic pilgrimage sites in Europe that were photographed by Carlo for an exhibition that has traversed the globe. It also includes the story of the medical miracle attributed to Acutis' intercession, the healing of a young boy in Brazil in 2013.

This work documents how a boy who did not seek out any attention for himself while he was alive, has "gone viral" in the years after his death. It is the story of a spiritually rich life lived as an ordinary kid. Filled with testimonies from Millennials and GenZ Catholics, this book shows how Carlo's story is continuing to inspire generations of young people by showing that we are "called to something greater" than endless scrolling on a smartphone and that it is possible to be a saint today.

“A superb delivery of the inspiring life of Carlo Acutis. Easy to read and packed with details about his story, this book narrates his holy life while calling all of us to greater levels of holiness by following his example as a saint of modern times.”
—Edward Sri, Author, The Art of Living; Host, All Things Catholic podcast 

“This true story shows us that it’s possible to become holy even when you have a family, pets, and video games. Catholic youth and families have been anxiously waiting for Courtney Mares’ book, which gives us the details about a teenager who is already inspiring youth all over the world.”
—Dawn Beutner, Author, The Leaven of the Saints 

“Carlo teaches us an important lesson. God has called us all to be saints wherever we are—online, on the ski slopes, in sneakers. His story is beautiful, and it should not be extraordinary. Through his example and his intercession—and through this book—may it become quite ordinary.”
—Mike Aquilina, Author, The Fathers of the Church and The Eucharist Foretold 

“At a time when Catholic teens around the world are struggling with unprecedented challenges to their walk with God, the story of Blessed Carlo is one that they desperately need. His story is a reminder to us all that holiness is possible even in this bewildering age of technology and unprecedented challenges.”
—Cheri Blomquist, Author, Before Austen Comes Aesop 

“The life of this teenaged saint is surely one of God’s gifts to this generation and a reminder that holy lives can be lived out in our aggressively secular society. Carlo Acutis will continue to be a role model in the years to come. This book should be on the reading list of every school in the country.”
—Fiorella De Maria, Author, Saint Maximilian Kolbe: A Hero of the Holocaust