Honouring the Canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis at Blessed Carlo Virtual School
This September, something extraordinary is happening in our Church, which resonates deeply here at the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB). On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will canonize Carlo Acutis in Rome. At just 15 years old, Carlo lived a life of quiet faith, bold kindness, and love for the Eucharist. Now, he will officially become a Saint of the Catholic Church.
For our OCSB community, especially for students and staff at Blessed Carlo Virtual School, this moment is more than a global milestone. It’s a chance to reflect on what it means to live with purpose, share our gifts with others, and find God in the everyday. As we begin a new school year rooted in our Spiritual Theme to Build Bridges, Saint Carlo’s story invites all of us to build a bridge between faith and the digital world, between the ordinary and the sacred.
A Teen Who Brought Faith Into the Everyday
Carlo Acutis wasn’t unlike many young people today. He played soccer, enjoyed video games, and had a knack for computers. But what set him apart was his deep love of God – especially in the Eucharist, which he once called “my highway to heaven.”
Carlo went to Mass daily, prayed the Rosary, and quietly helped those in need. While he lived a short life – passing away from leukemia at the age of 15 – his legacy lives on in a big way.
He saw the internet as a tool for good. Carlo used his tech skills to create a website that documented Eucharistic miracles and shared stories of faith from around the world. That’s why he’s now recognized as the Patron Saint of the Internet – a young man who used modern tools to bring ancient truths to life.
An Inspiration for Our School Community
At Blessed Carlo Virtual School, Grades 1 to 8 students are reminded daily that technology and faith don’t have to live in separate worlds. Saint Carlo’s life shows us that holiness isn’t reserved for the past or the perfect – it’s possible right now, in how we learn, live, and treat one another.
His upcoming canonization gives all of us – students, staff, and families alike – an invitation to reflect:
- How can I use my talents to help others?
- What does kindness look like online?
- Can I make time for prayer, gratitude, or service in my day?
These are the kinds of questions that open hearts – and doors – to something more.
Rooted in Faith, Ready for What’s Next
This year, our Spiritual Theme invites us to Build Bridges – between faith and learning, between students and staff, and between each other and God. In many ways, Saint Carlo built bridges before we had the words for them. He reminds us that holiness can flourish in a classroom, in a Google Meet, or in a quiet moment of compassion.
As we welcome a new school year and officially welcome Saint Carlo Acutis into the communion of saints, we do so with gratitude. His example doesn’t just inspire one school – it inspires a mindset, a mission, and a way forward.
May we all—especially the Blessed Carlo Virtual School community—begin this year with curiosity, courage, and the faith that even the simplest acts can shape something sacred.
“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” – Saint Carlo Acutis.
