Blessed Carlo Actutis is set to be canonized in 2025.
That means he’ll become a Saint.
THAT means he’ll be “the Patron Saint of (something).”
Many are jumping the gun and claiming he’ll join Saint Isidore of Seville as a Patron Saint of the Internet. In fact, if you plug “patron saint of the internet” into some search engines, Carlo is already the number 1 result.
But… what if he was the Patron Saint of something else? I mean, sure, Isidore of Seville was a farmer and Carlo knew how to code so, logically, it would seem Carlo had the upper hand. But, was the Internet the greatest fruit of his heroic virtue?
Here are 8 things Carlo could be the Patron Saint of that aren’t “the Internet.”
Only Children
This one is kind of a misnomer, because Carlo eventually DID have siblings. The only problem was they came after he passed away. There were likely many lonely days and nights as an only child, a lot of moments to draw closer to his best friend, Jesus. Being the patron Saint of only children would put him in good company, Mary, Jesus, and a whole host of people today who long for a sibling to share their life with. Hey, maybe they can spend that time with Carlo by their side!
St. Carlo, patron of Only Children?
Pray for us.
Milan FC
Carlo wasn’t a sports nut. He wasn’t athletic. He rarely played anything that wasn’t a video game. But, like most teens ingrained in the culture all norms of our time, he DID have a “team.” He rooted for the professional soccer club, Milan FC, who, by the looks of their most recent record, could use some Saintly intervention.
St. Carlo, patron of Milan FC?
Pray for us.
Videographers
Okay, I know Blessed James Alberione and his Daughters of St. Paul might have this spot locked, but Carlo’s got some serious dubs on it, too. He used to take his parents’ video camera and create mini-films that featured his pets. He’d narrate their voiceovers and put them against each other as playful villains and hilarious protagonists. This still of him holding his video camera says it all.
St. Carlo, patron of Videographers?
Pray for us.
Hanging Out
Imagine being the patron Saint of “hanging out.” Who better to take that patronage than a 15 year old kid who not only loved chilling with his friends, but also chilling before the tabernacle in the empty chapel, hanging out with Jesus? This would be the ultimate homage to teens and Italians alike whose entire culture is based on doing nothing objectively productive together (I mean that in the best way possible), like eating, drinking, and telling stories.
St. Carlo, patron of Hanging Out?
Pray for us.
Web designers + Software Developers
The kid could code. Not only that, he taught himself how to do it. I’m not a master coder, but I know a thing or two because the current internet has a ton of resources on how to DIY. Carlo didn’t have that. And I BET he’s the reason all these coders are making these resources to help all of us get on their level.
St. Carlo, patron of Web & Software Developers?
Pray for us.
Eucharistic Evangelization
Guess what Blessed Carlo did with his teach genius? Made websites dedicated to Eucharistic miracles. He had an astonishing love for the Blessed Sacrament, so much so he attended daily Mass… as a teen. How many non-homeschool teens you know that attend daily Mass? Carlo was special because real recognize real.
St. Carlo, patron of Eucharistic Evangelization?
Pray for us
Social Media or Phones
I hope this isn’t his patronage. While social media (and phones) might be a form of evangelization, I don’t think Carlo would be on it today. He’d be too worried about letting it control his life. He might have autoposted content from a site he developed, but he’d have much rather spent time with his family and friends or filming his dogs.
St. Carlo, patron of Social Media (dear God, no!)?
Pray for us.
Tech Addiction
THIS! This is the one I’m hoping Carlo gets the God-head-nod to represent. He loved tech. ALL of it. But he put limits on it in his life. He spent only and hour playing video games per week. He used his web development skills in service to the Church. He kept his digital life at bay so that he could find God in reality– the Eucharist, his family, his friends, school, and tech. In fact, he kept his priorities in that order, making sure that the amount of time given to each of the aforementioned things was given in descending order.
St. Carlo, patron of Tech Addiction?
Pray for us.