The Source and Summit
Novena to Blessed Carlo Acutis Day 8
A friend of mine told me about a podcast called The Merry Beggars, who portray the lives of the saints as a radio drama. Naturally, they’re doing Blessed Carlo Acutis this week, since his feast is on Thursday.
In the first episode, I learned that Carlo received First Communion early, because he was so eager to receive the grace of the Eucharist. It’s one more thing he and Amelia have in common. You see, about a year and a half ago,1 Amelia received her First Communion.
She was obviously younger than the usual first communicant, but our parish priest gave her dispensation because of her diagnosis. He said as long as she understood the Real Presence, she was okay to receive the Eucharist. And although she’s now fed primarily through her g-tube, Amelia will keep receiving as long as she can chew. It’s a minor miracle that she’s still able to receive communion at all.
When she does receive, she’s always very excited. She knows it’s something special. Because we’ve read about Blessed Carlo’s devotion to the Eucharist, including visiting his exhibit on Eucharistic miracles, I’ve made sure to attend daily mass every day during this Novena. Not everyone can, so I’m blessed to have the opportunity to participate in the pascal sacrifice for Amelia.
Opening Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank you for all the grace and favors with which you enriched the soul of the Blessed Carlo Acutis during his 15 years on this earth. Through the merits of this Angel of Youth, grant us the grace which we earnestly seek, that Amelia be cured of her metachromatic leukodystrophy.
Meditation
“The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.”
Blessed Carlo Acutis, you who have always looked for your hidden Jesus in the Tabernacle, give me the grace of a deep fervor for the Eucharist. Amen.
Pray five Our Fathers, five Hail Marys, and five Glory Bes to give thanks to God for the grace granted to Carlo in the 15 years of his earthly life.
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, Father of Mercy, raise your servant Blessed Carlo Acutis to the glory of the altars, so that through him you will be even more glorified. Give us the honor of counting him among the saints, for he lived in Your Will in all things. And through his merit, give us the grace that we so ardently desire.
Amen.
March 13. I had to look it up.