Saint Carlo Acutis honored through novenas and youth initiatives

Religious observances are being held to honor Saint Carlo Acutis, who was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025. His liturgical feast day is observed on October 12, marking the anniversary of his death in 2006.

In Italy, the initiative ‘Santi con Carlo’ is being established within Ambrosian oratories to engage pre-adolescents in faith through prayer, community, and play. This year’s program emphasizes Acutis’s connection to Saint Francis of Assisi, reflecting his personal admiration for the saint and his desire to live a life of charity despite his wealthy upbringing.

Additionally, a novena is being observed from October 3 to October 11, during which devotees seek his intercession. The devotion highlights Acutis’s spiritual focus on the Eucharist, prayer, and his belief in the presence of guardian angels.