Carlo Acutis
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Lesson Plans for Catholic Catechists

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Educational resources for catechists, teachers, and families.

Complete lesson plans for teaching about Saint Carlo Acutis in religious education, parish programs, and Catholic schools.

How to Use These Plans

Three ready-to-use sessions for ages 10–16. Each includes objectives, materials, teaching steps, and assessment. Adapt timing for 45–60 minute classes.

Lesson 1 — Meet Saint Carlo Acutis (60 min)

Objectives

  • Introduce Carlo's life, timeline, and canonization.
  • Connect Carlo's story to the lives of modern students.

Materials

  • Timeline handout (see Biography for Teens resource)
  • Map of Italy marking Milan and Assisi
  • Projector or printed images from Carlo's exhibition

Procedure

  1. Opening (5 min) — Prayer. Ask: "Can a teenager become a saint?"
  2. Input (15 min) — Present Carlo's biography: birth, First Communion, technology, illness, canonization.
  3. Activity (20 min) — Students create a one-page "saint profile" poster with dates, virtues, and a quote.
  4. Discussion (15 min) — Groups share one habit from Carlo they admire.
  5. Closing (5 min) — Prayer for intercession. Homework: visit miracolieucaristici.org.

Lesson 2 — The Eucharist: Carlo's Center (60 min)

Objectives

  • Explain Carlo's Eucharistic devotion.
  • Introduce the concept of Eucharistic miracles.

Procedure

  1. Opening (5 min) — Gospel reflection on John 6 ("Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man…").
  2. Input (15 min) — Carlo's daily Mass, adoration, and exhibition project.
  3. Activity (25 min) — Walk through one miracle case study (Lanciano or Buenos Aires). Worksheet with who, what, when, Church response.
  4. Discussion (10 min) — Why did Carlo say the Eucharist is a "highway to Heaven"?
  5. Closing (5 min) — Visit church tabernacle if possible; silent prayer.

Lesson 3 — Faith and Technology (60 min)

Objectives

  • Present Carlo as patron of the internet.
  • Help students evaluate digital habits through Catholic values.

Procedure

  1. Opening (5 min) — "How many hours did you spend online yesterday?"
  2. Input (15 min) — Carlo as programmer; websites for parishes; evangelization online.
  3. Activity (25 min) — Digital audit: students list apps used, classify as helpful/neutral/harmful for spiritual life.
  4. Project (10 min) — Plan one "Carlo-style" online act of evangelization for the week.
  5. Closing (5 min) — Prayer to use technology for God's glory.

Assessment Ideas

  • Short written reflection: "What I learned from Carlo Acutis."
  • Oral presentation on one Eucharistic miracle.
  • Portfolio of a week of intentional Catholic media use.

Catechist Notes

Emphasize that Carlo was not perfect by worldly standards of fame — he was holy through ordinary fidelity. Avoid presenting sainthood as unreachable; focus on daily choices in prayer, charity, and courage.