Today, 12th October, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, canonized on 7th September 2025. His feast coincides with the anniversary of his death on 12th October 2006. It is fitting that we reflect on his life today.
On September 7, 2025, the Catholic Church canonized Carlo Acutis. Born in 1991 in London and raised in Milan, he died of leukemia at only 15 years. Yet his brief life inspires millions. Carlo was devoted to the Eucharist, which he called his “highway to heaven,” yet he was also an ordinary teenager who loved football, games and technology.
He taught himself programming and created a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles worldwide. For this he is called “God’s influencer” and patron saint of the internet. He proved modern tools can serve eternal truths.
Living Faithfully in a Secular World
Today’s youth live in a highly secular world that promotes materialism, fame, and self as the goal. Success is measured by followers and likes, while faith is seen as old-fashioned. Many youth feel pressure to hide their faith.
Saint Carlo lived in this same modern world but refused to be a photocopy. He famously said, _”Everyone is born as an original, but many people die as photocopies.”_ He shows you can be fully modern, talented and joyful, yet deeply rooted in God.
Echoing the Late Bishop Charles Martin Wamika – Namugongo 2023
This message was echoed locally by the late Bishop Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja Diocese. During his homily at Namugongo on 3rd June 2023, when Jinja animated the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations under the theme “Lord Increase Our Faith,” Bishop Wamika challenged the youth to use digital technologies, websites, smartphones and television to promote good morals and to defend the Catholic faith courageously.
He urged the youth to embrace St. Kizito, the youngest of the Uganda Martyrs, who died at 14 for his faith.
In response to that call, the Laudato Si Youth Initiative created a website *www.empisaenugi.com* which means “good morals” — a platform where today’s youth can read and learn about good morals, faith, and responsible living. This is exactly what Saint Carlo did with his own website — using the internet to evangelize.
Using the Internet Meaningfully — Instead of Insulting Leaders
In a world where online insults have become normal, both Bishop Wamika and Saint Carlo show a better way:
1. Build, not break: Share knowledge and inspiration instead of hatred.
2. Respectful engagement: Even when disagreeing with leaders, speak truth with charity, not vulgar insults. Respect does not mean silence.
3. Solutions over complaints: Use the internet to propose ideas and document charity — like http://empisaenugi.com does.
4. Digital accountability: As Carlo said, “Not me, but God.” What you post shows who you are.
In conclusion, as we celebrate his Feast Day today, Saint Carlo Acutis, together with the challenge of Bishop Wamika, shows that holiness is possible even online. May his example and the initiative of http://www.empisaenugi.com inspire this generation to take up their phones not to scroll or insult, but to promote good morals and share Christ.
_Saint Carlo Acutis and Uganda Martyrs, pray for us!_
References:
– Vatican decree establishing Feast Day of St. Carlo Acutis on 12th October
– Bishop Wamika’s call for youth to use technology to promote morality at Namugongo 2023.
Kiwala Caroline Tahir
Assistant Resident Commissioner – Iganga
The post KIWALA CAROLINE TAHIR: God’s Influencer: How Saint Carlo Acutis Inspires Today’s Digital Youth appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.