Who Wants to Be a Saint?

Ellen Mongan reviews the new documentary, The Boy from Milan: Stories of Carlo Acutis, available on Formed.org.

Who wants to be a saint? I can see hands raised high and some of you shouting, “I do! I do!” Do you want to be a saint? To become a saint, we must strive to live in the state of sanctifying grace and die in the same state. Some readers may be hesitant to lift their hands, thinking it is a matter of pride or competition to aspire to sainthood. However, those who understand will be the first to raise their hands. 

I can almost picture Carlo Acutis raising his hand and boldly proclaiming, “I do!” You see, Carlo understood, at a very young age, what many die never knowing. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

This is emphasized in the documentary, The Boy from Milan, available now on Formed.org. In the video below, I interview the producer of this film.

Who Is Carlo Acutis?

Carlo Acutis, an ordinary boy, sought the face of God. God bestowed upon him the gift of faith, and he learned to hear God’s voice. He listened and obeyed. Day by day, Carlo's life was transformed. In his mother’s words, “Carlo opened the door of his heart to God, and his ordinary life became extraordinary.”

God gave him the mission to be holy. He accepted, daily surrendering to God’s divine will. His desire was always to be united with God. He cultivated his faith through daily Mass, sitting quietly before the Tabernacle, and receiving the sacraments. He understood the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, knowing that it was being before the Tabernacle that he could always be close to Jesus. He ministered to the poor and could see Jesus in the person in front of him.

Pope Francis noted, “Carlo added action to the words of Jesus.” He chose virtue and growth in character, with grace propelling Him heavenward. “How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). Carlo found that road and entered through the narrow gate with his eyes fixed on Jesus. He grew in love and joy. Carlo Acutis' witness drew others to Christ, which changed their lives forever. 

Carlo Seen Through the Eyes of His Mother, His Teacher, and His Doctor

In this documentary, you will get to know Carlo through the eyes of three key people in his life: his mother, his teacher, and his doctor. Carlo’s words and examples touched each of these three people, encouraging them to deepen their faith. His words and actions took residence in their hearts. They were never the same.  

His mother, Antonia, could see from a young age the hand of God at work in her son’s life. She realized how little she knew about her faith. She was humbled by her son’s great devotion to God, so she brought Carlo to an older priest who was considered enlightened. The priest could see that Carlo was special and had a special purpose. God was Carlo's life project.  

His teacher, Fabrizio, taught religion. He saw Carlo Acutis as an ordinary student. Later on, he was blessed to learn that his ordinary student was going to be canonized as a saint. Fabrizio recalls that he was the boy who said to him, “I have more important things to do,” when asked about his homework! Indeed, Carlo Acutis was about his Heavenly Father’s business even then. His encounter with Carlo taught Fabrizio a different view of what a saint was. This realization prompts him to seek the good in all.  

Finally, Mercedes, his doctor, saw Carlo’s strength amid pain as he suffered from the last stages of cancer without complaining. He was such a witness to her because she, too, had cancer. She asked for Carlo’s intercession and received healing. 

What Did I Learn from this Documentary?

The Boy from Milan introduces you to Carlo Acutis, a boy from Milan. Yes, he was an ordinary boy who received extraordinary graces to witness to the world in this generation. He went forth in his ordinary life and told the world about Jesus. 

I learned a great deal about Carlo Acutis from this documentary. I enjoyed hearing the testimony of those who knew him. I could especially relate to his mother, who spoke humbly from the heart of a mother. I could hear her say, “That’s my boy!” without uttering a word. She knew that her child had been given a special calling by God. Only God takes a bow. The teacher was amazed to find a saint among them, and he did not notice. The doctor did not doubt that Carlo was a saint. He was the patient who changed her life forever. 

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Copyright 2025 Ellen Mongan
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