On 7 September 2025, the Catholic Church will canonise Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young Italian especially known for his deep faith in the Eucharist and his modern way of sharing the Christian faith.
Blessed Carlo, who died of leukaemia in 2006, is an example of a saint of our times, whose life shows how technology can help spread and strengthen the faith.
Carlo Acutis is widely known for his work documenting Eucharistic miracles. He created the impressive international exhibition Eucharistic Miracles of the World (https://www.miracolieucaristici.org (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)), which brings together historical and contemporary cases in which the Holy Eucharist has manifested itself in a miraculous way in different parts of the world. The exhibition has spread Carlo’s legacy widely, and in June–July 2025 it was also shown in Finland at St. Mary’s Parish. The posters will be on display again in St. Mary’s Church foyer during the exhibition Miracles of Faith on the Open House Day, 6 September.
The exhibition Eucharistic Miracles of the World and Testimonies at St. Mary’s Parish was based on the material collected by Blessed Carlo and included visually striking posters created by St. Mary’s parishioner Antony William. It also featured parishioners’ personal testimonies about the power of the Eucharist, affirming its importance in everyday life and faith.
International surveys have drawn attention to the fact that in certain parts of the world, only a small percentage of Catholics are estimated to believe in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. For example, in the United States in 2019, only about one-third of Catholics were estimated to believe in transubstantiation (that is, that in the Mass, the offerings are changed in substance into the Body and Blood of Christ, while their outward appearances remain) (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/08/05/transubstantiation-eucharist-u-s-catholics/ (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)). This has led to large-scale Church initiatives such as the Eucharistic Revival movement, which began in the USA in 2022 and aims at better catechesis and strengthening of faith (https://www.eucharisticrevival.org (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)).
The latest 2024 survey shows somewhat better figures: more than two-thirds of Catholics now say they believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist (https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258013/new-study-suggests-more-than-two-thirds-of-catholics-believe-the-eucharist-is-truly-jesus (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)).
In Finland, Fr. Tri Nguyen, parish priest of the Holy Cross Parish, has written several profound and practical articles on the Eucharist, available on the parish website (https://risti.katolinen.fi (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.)). These articles address, among other things, the conditions for receiving Communion, its meaning, and its fruits. They are an excellent way to deepen one’s understanding of the value and significance of the Eucharist.
Alongside the exhibition, St. Mary’s parishioners shared testimonies about the power of the Eucharist in daily life: peace, healing, experiences of God’s presence, and comfort. These personal accounts testify to a strong belief in Christ’s real presence, further enriching the core message of Carlo’s life’s work and the exhibition.
Blessed Carlo Acutis reminds us that faith and technology can go hand in hand, and that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church’s life and of our own life of faith. His canonisation in September 2025 can be a call to each of us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ and our encounter with him in the Eucharist.
Aino Okinyo
“When I have received the Holy Eucharist in Mass, I have sometimes felt closeness to God and even love for God. But most often I feel nothing in particular. After receiving Communion, I try to focus on Jesus who is within me. I tell Him that I love Him. I try to be silent and spend a moment with Him. Sometimes I get distracted and start thinking about other things. But I understand that my feelings at that moment are not what ultimately matters most. When I faithfully receive Holy Communion Sunday after Sunday, week after week, month after month, I receive in my heart a strong and deep faith and a great peace. I can love people and see their needs. Even my thoughts and feelings are calm and often joyful. This comes from receiving the Holy Eucharist regularly, because the Holy Eucharist is Jesus. I thank Jesus for all that He has done for me.”
“After I received my first Communion at the Mass of Reception into the Church, I returned to the church after Mass to pray. Then I saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus shining in my innermost being like the sun. I vividly experienced how the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart are one. In the Eucharist, Jesus shines as light and warmth and recreates our hearts anew.”
“I received Communion one Sunday and was healed of a stomach ache. Jesus, who lives in the Holy Eucharist, has given me and my family countless testimonies – I will mention only a few here. He healed my brother from a serious demonic attack. He granted us residence in Finland. He has helped me to study and graduate. He recently helped my wife to begin studying. He has blessed our family with wonderful children. He has never left us hungry. Whenever I am in trouble, He answers powerfully. He has given peace, love, and joy to our family. He gave my sister twins. The list is endless.”