If you ask any mother what her biggest fear is, the answer is probably going to be something bad happening to her child. That can run the gamut from being bullied to a terrible accident to mental health struggles to physical illness and even death. It’s in our nature to be fiercely protective of our kids.
So when I heard Carlo Acutis was approved for canonization, I wasn’t focusing so much on this first millennial saint. I was busy thinking about his mother, Antonia. I realized that in order for Carlo’s canonization to take place, she had to lose her son—a mother’s worst nightmare.
A Story of Loss
In the days following, I thought about when she first heard the news that Carlo had leukemia and how scared she must have been. He had initially been diagnosed with the flu, and then it quickly took a devastating turn. And then, just months later, her 15-year-old son would be gone.
I recalled my own nights in the hospital with my son, Alex, when he was first born and developed RSV. I remember how tired I was from worry and lack of sleep. But I knew my son would recover. Tragically, Carlo’s mother did not.
After his death, I wonder if Antonia had trouble going into Carlo’s room and seeing his PlayStation, saxophone, and computer. He had done such great things on that computer, creating websites for parishes and cataloging Eucharistic miracles throughout the world. He had brought her such joy and renewed her own faith. Did she bury her face in the blue sweatshirt that he once wore in life and now wears in the coffin where he lies in Assisi? Does she remember buying those infamous Nike gym shoes so often associated with him? At what point did she realize she would be sharing her son with the entire world?
I have read numerous interviews with her where she recounts the joys and blessings of raising Carlo. She talks about the many joys and blessings he brought to her in life and even now after his death. I wonder if my faith would be strong enough to follow in her footsteps if something happened to one of my children.
Thanks, Moms
Eventually, I started thinking not just about Carlo’s mom, but also other moms who have walked the path of loss and joy, such as Mary and all the other mothers of the saints. All of them had to endure loss in some shape or form in order for their son or daughter to fulfill his or her purpose. Mary watched her son suffer and die on the cross. St. Francis’ mom, Pica, had to watch her son walk away from her and the family to fulfill his calling. And so many others.
I offered a prayerful thanks to all the mothers who have endured the pain of saying goodbye for our benefit. So, when people talk about praying to the saints, I tell them that I’m also praying for their moms.
Click here for a second take on Carlo Acutis!
