The Eucharist and Blessed Carlo Acutis

Parish discussion at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church

On March 26, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Norman hosted a Sunday discussion about the Eucharist and Blessed Carlo Acutis. 

Acutis was an amateur Italian programmer who died of leukemia at the age of 15 leaving behind a beautiful legacy of archived Eucharistic miracles around the world. 

Father Nabil Mouannas, pastor, celebrated the Holy Eucharist asking for intercession of Blessed Carlo for the youth of the parish and all young people around the world. He was assisted at Mass celebration by Deacon Paul Albert from Saint Joseph Old Cathedral in Oklahoma City. 

Speaking to the parishioners and guests, Father Nabil said, “Both Blessed Carlo Acutis and Saint Sharbel Makhlouf - the great saint in our Maronite Catholic tradition - had a profound devotion to the Eucharist. I encourage all of you to listen to the voice of truth from a young saint and the old mystical saint at the same time, so that their intercession can help save our civilization and the world.”

After Mass, an opening talk was given by Jad Ziolkowska, Ph.D., from the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. She presented how science can be used to understand better and learn more about the Eucharistic miracles (godisperfectlove.com/Saints.html). 

Group discussions of adult and young parishioners followed in a lively spirit of learning and exchanging information about the Eucharistic miracles and the inspiring young saint of the day. 

Since his early childhood, Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, attending the Holy Eucharist and receiving Holy Communion daily. He used to share with others, “Jesus is my friend, and the Eucharist is the gate to heaven.” His body was found intact after exhumation. He was beatified on Oct. 10, 2020, in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, in Assisi, Italy by Cardinal Agostino Vallini (on behalf of Pope Francis).

Carlos’ great heritage to the Catholic Church is his website with 108 Eucharistic miracles from 19 countries around the world which were formally approved by the Catholic Church as supernatural phenomena. Using the Internet – a technology just on the rise at the time of this birth, he was able to utilize it wisely and in a prudent way to share Jesus and the Eucharist with others. 

Blessed Carlo’s deep understanding of the Eucharist was igniting others, including his family, to come closer to the Church. 

“The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven,” Carlo said.
 
At his young age he was able to appreciate that there is only one path to holiness, as he expressed, “By standing before the Eucharistic Christ, we become holy.”

During their engaged discussions the parishioners expressed their esteem for Blessed Carlo and his remarkable example of love and devotion to the Eucharist. 

“Carlo had a special gift from God. He was so close to the Eucharist,” said Jeanne Roegiers. Her friend Sandy Vincent seconded and said, “I imagine he will be inspiring to so many young people, but his example resonates with older Catholics as well.” 

Bill Faris, a parishioner of many years at Our Lady of Lebanon, highlighted the works of the Holy Spirit in the life of Blessed Carlo.

“The Holy Spirit used Carlo as an instrument to touch hearts of many Catholics with a sincere message of love for the Eucharist. His witness moves each one of us in a very individual and personal way, so that we too can become powerful witnesses of Christ and his miracles in the world.” 

Several young people in the group enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for Blessed Carlo proclaiming Christ through his life and work. 

“I would like to be like Carlo. Everything he has done is so inspiring,” Mateo Tawk said. “I come to serve as the altar server for this purpose, to deepen my relationship with the Lord.” 

Concluding the discussion Father Nabil emphasized, “I invite everyone in my parish and around the world to a frequent visitation of Jesus in the tabernacle. In the Blessed Sacrament we can find the only true source of love, grace, power, pardon, peace and joy.”

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic.