Saint Carlo Acutis: An Unexpected Friend

Caitlan Rangel reflects on her unexpected friendship with Saint Carlo Acutis, whose words are prophetic for us and for this moment in time. 

Saint Carlo Acutis has become an unexpected friend of mine over the past six months. 

My children have had a devotion to him for a couple of years for all of the understandable reasons: he liked Nintendo and Pokémon and soccer; he was a kid “just like me” who loved God and became a Saint. 

I loved Saint Carlo, but mostly for my kids — what a gift for them to have a saint they look at and think, “I want to be like him. I want to be a saint.” 

But after watching Roadmap to Reality, talking with Carlo in prayer, and being at his canonization in Rome, I have come to realize Saint Carlo is a saint for me, too. 

I was born in 1990 and Carlo was born in 1991, so he is my peer, like a friend or a brother. He speaks about things so simply, and yet, in the way I need to hear them. Read on, and maybe you will find the same. 

Pride 

In a world where we are encouraged to build a platform, be known, and influence others (even when it’s for good) something creeps in: pride. Pride is something everyone on the face of the earth deals with. I deal with it, you deal with it. It just is. 

We have concern for ourselves, where we stand, and what others think of us.

I say pride creeps in because most of us do not walk around purposefully thinking about how wonderful we are, how all should envy us, or how we are better than others. 

Pride is more like a vine that grows slowly, tightens us in knots, and shuts out the light. Pride is a turning in on ourselves. 

For me, pride looks like me thinking or attempting to do most things without the help of others; becoming defensive when I’m in the wrong; and thinking of myself and my preferences ahead of others. I don’t mean to do these things — in fact, I really wish I wouldn’t! It is not a joy to be stubborn, defensive, or selfish. 

Happiness: Look Up 

Saint Carlo said, “Sadness is looking at yourself. Happiness is looking at God.” (quoted by Pope Leo XIV in the Canonization Mass for Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati)

 Yes! This is what I mean: He is a friend who can understand a deep issue within me (and perhaps you) and provide a simple encouragement. Look out of yourself. Look at God. Look up! 

When I think of some of the happiest moments of my life, they are moments when I have been living outside of myself, not for myself: 

Looking at my spouse, waiting for me at the altar on our wedding day. Holding my crying, cheesy, bloody, beautiful children when they came from my womb. Being before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, gazing only at him, losing preoccupation with myself. Laughing and smiling over the quirks, uniqueness, and mystery of my children or husband. Writing, inspired by the words the Holy Spirit places on my heart. Being still in nature, captivated by its grandeur or intricate beauty. 

A Saint for Now 

Carlo is a saint for right now, for this moment in time because we need his voice. He reminds us that what is most real is not the you that you create for the world to see.  

What is most real is coming into contact with the God who draws us out of ourselves and helps us to experience the joy and freedom of heaven even here on earth. 

Pray for us, Saint Carlo Acutis. Help us to be bold, humble, and faithful like you. Pray for us, that we might look up. 

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Copyright 2025 Caitlan Rangel
Images: Sir Velpertex di Crantx, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Canva