- Courtney Roach (OSV).
I had the privilege of visiting Assisi, Italy, in June 2025, where I found the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and I was not prepared for the immediate and profound impact it would have on my prayer life. Carlo reminds us that holiness is found in using the tools of our time, the digital ones, to lead others to heaven.
As I entered the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Carlo's body currently rests, I remember thinking, "I can't wait to see his iconic Nike sneakers!". As I waited in line to venerate his body, I admit I was distracted by the summer heat and the religious brother repeating over and over, "No photos!" But then I saw him.
Carlo's testimony
Right there, in the city I loved so much as a child, I met a young man who gave everything for God. And I began to cry.
Carlo died young. He is on his way to becoming a saint (he already is), not because he did something great, but because he simply did what he loved and did it with authenticity. He thought it would be great to share the truth of the Eucharistic miracles on the Internet, and so he did. And because he said yes to something that fascinated him as a child of God, the Church - and the world - have been transformed by his witness.
That day, I felt as if Carlo had gently grabbed me by the shoulders. I felt that he was seeking a heavenly friendship with me. And he was offering me his intercession not only for my heart, but also for the work I do in digital evangelization.
I work as the digital marketing director for FOCUS, alongside my amazing teammates. Together, we orchestrate the social media strategy behind one mission: to process Jesus through the algorithm.
Social networks in our lives
I often say that even the most devout Catholic can miss daily Mass, but almost everyone connects to social networks every day. Whether out of habit or addiction, scrolling through networks has become one of the most common human behaviors of our time. And so, we have the opportunity - and the responsibility - to place Jesus directly in those moments of distraction, curiosity and searching.
What strikes me most is how social networks have evolved. They are no longer just a place to keep in touch with friends. They are the place where decisions are made. We buy what we see on TikTok. We wear clothes inspired by Instagram influencers. We furnish our homes with things we discover on Facebook. We learn from strangers on YouTube. These are not just fleeting interactions; they are formative. They shape who we are becoming.
We can show people the beauty, the truth, the Jesus.
And as Catholics, we have a choice.
We can become a light, like Carlo, and offer something bigger than the trend of the week. We can show people beauty. We can show people the truth. We can show people Jesus.
Carlo Acutis reminds us that holiness is not beyond our reach. It is found in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and in using the tools of our time to lead others to heaven. May we follow his example and may our "yes" echo his.
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Courtney Roach is director of digital marketing for FOCUS. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
This article was originally published in OSV News, two days before his canonization on Sunday the 7th. You can consult it here.
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