St Carlo Acutis

On 22 January 2026, Coloma was honoured to welcome a first-class relic of St Carlo Acutis, giving students and staff a rare and deeply meaningful opportunity for prayer, reflection and encounter.

The visit was a particularly special moment for our Catholic community, following the renaming of one of our school buildings in November 2025 in honour of St Carlo. A young saint of our own time, Carlo continues to inspire people around the world through his love of Jesus, his devotion to the Eucharist and his creative use of technology to share the Catholic faith.

His life offers a powerful message to young people: holiness is not out of reach. It can be found in the everyday choices we make, in the way we treat others and in how we use our gifts to make a positive difference.

Getting to know St Carlo

The visit was led by Sister Anna, who shared personal insights into Carlo's life and family. Sister Anna had a close connection with the family, serving as governess to Carlo's younger brother and sister for three years following his death. Her reflections brought a special warmth and personal perspective to the day, helping students understand the person behind the saint.

She spoke about Carlo's deep faith, his love of the Eucharist and the way he used his interests and talents, particularly his knowledge of computers and technology, to share the message of Jesus.

Through prayer, storytelling and reflection, students also learned about Carlo's life, the miracles associated with him and his journey to canonisation. His example showed that living a life of faith does not mean being extraordinary in the eyes of the world. It means placing Jesus at the centre of our lives and allowing that relationship to shape everything we do.

Sister Anna shared her reflections on her visit:

“I was very moved to visit Coloma and to have the privilege of sharing insights with the whole School. It is a day that will live long in my heart. I hope that everyone will remember that Saint Carlo wishes to be their friend in Heaven.”

A moment of prayer and reflection

The first-class relic was welcomed and treated with great reverence. Students and staff were given time for quiet prayer and personal reflection, creating a peaceful and prayerful atmosphere across the school.

For many, it was an opportunity to pause and consider what it means to live with faith, kindness and purpose. The experience reminded us that saints are not simply figures from the distant past. They are real people whose lives can speak to us today.

St Carlo was only 15 when he died, yet his faith, generosity and enthusiasm for life continue to touch people of all ages. His story reminds us that we are never too young to make a difference, and that holiness is possible in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

A lasting part of Coloma's story

The naming of our St Carlo Acutis building provides a lasting reminder of his example and the values we seek to nurture at Coloma. His love of Jesus, his generosity towards others and his willingness to use his talents in the service of his faith reflect the qualities we hope to inspire in every young woman.

Members of our school community also received a third-class relic prayer card as a keepsake of the visit – a reminder of St Carlo's example and of the encouragement we can find in the saints, our friends in Heaven.

This special encounter has strengthened our commitment to keeping Christ at the centre of school life and supporting every student as she grows in faith, confidence and understanding.

Inspired to follow his example

We will continue to draw inspiration from St Carlo Acutis through our Religious Education, prayer and collective worship. His life challenges us to think about how we use our own gifts, how we support those around us and how we can bring faith into the modern world.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have welcomed his relic to Coloma and to have shared such a memorable moment as a school community. His example leaves us with a simple but powerful message: a life lived close to Jesus can make a difference far beyond what we might imagine.

“To always be close to Jesus, that's my life plan.”

– St Carlo Acutis