By Mariella Zevallos,
Star of the Sea Parish Director of Communications and Parish Life
On Sept. 7, 2025, I was one of more than 70,000 people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome for the canonization of St. Carlo Acutis, the young “techie” who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15. Inspired by his short life, our parish spent the months leading up to his canonization creating a Shrine to St. Carlo Acutis in our sanctuary. The shrine, which includes a custom-made statue, will be blessed on Oct. 19, a week after the anniversary of his death on Oct. 12. Please join us!
The gathering in Rome for St. Carlo’s canonization was unlike anything I had ever seen. Families, youth groups, and pilgrims from all over the world were united by joy and faith, showing that holiness is alive and relevant in our time. St. Carlo’s parents and siblings were also present as he was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIV.
St. Carlo’s life reminds us that sainthood isn’t confined to monasteries or distant centuries. He was a millennial, a teenager who loved video games and coding, yet centered his life around the Eucharist. He once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” His work documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions online showed how technology, when used with intention, can become a tool for evangelization and beauty.
St. Carlo Acutis’ canonization was more than a historical event.It was a call to rediscover faith in everyday life. His story resonates with young people, families, and even those outside the Church. He shows that holiness is not outdated and that faith and technology can stand in harmony. As I stood among thousands in Rome, I felt the love of God — the Church alive, hopeful and growing. Carlo’s legacy reminds us that each generation is called to sanctity in its own way. Through his intercession, may we learn to find God in the ordinary, bring light into our work and live with the same joy that once shone in his simple, confident smile.
The creation of a parish shrine to St. Carlo Acutis began with a group of local “techies” who felt drawn to honor him as a patron for their work and faith. We felt our church, which already has 24/7 Eucharistic adoration and 16 Marian Apparition shrines, would be a fitting home for this tribute. When our pastor Father Joseph Illo and I began planning for the statue, we wanted it to reflect not just Carlo’s appearance, but his soul. We gathered dozens of photographs to capture his true essence — a blend of simplicity, humility and quiet strength. We chose to portray him in a dignified, contemplative way, focusing less on his casual, youthful image and more on his spiritual depth. The statue now stands completed, already drawing people in.
For us, the statue is not simply an object of veneration, but a symbol of God’s presence reflected through St. Carlo’s life. It serves as a reminder that holiness is attainable — not through fame or success but through humility and service. Visitors are encouraged not only to pray before it but also to reflect on the life it represents: a young man who quietly worked to help transform the world through love, devotion and technology used for good.
Join us for the blessing of our St. Carlo Acutis Shrine on Oct. 19 at the 9:30 a.m. Mass at Star of the Sea Parish, which is located at 4420 Geary Blvd. San Francisco. Visit www.starparish.com
