My heart breaks for young people today who first encounter the world through an app. I scan the vast landscape of “influencers” today and all I can see are pretty photocopies encouraging their followers to speak, lift, dress, eat, dance, and moisturize as they do. People are conditioned now to follow a leader; individuality is unfashionable. But you, Blessed Carlo, understood that no two paths should look the same.
While the Western world is encouraged to conform ourselves to the larger collective, you reminded us that God created us to be unique. “All the hairs of your head are counted,” Matthew 10:30–31 reads. “Do not be afraid.” That seemed to be your own mission statement. And your faith was fearless.
—from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Dear Carlo Acutis“
by Christopher Heffron
