How to Talk About Faith with Children
Guidance for parents and catechists on sharing Carlo's story with kids
Carlo Acutis is a perfect saint for children. He was young, relatable, and lived in the modern world. But how do you effectively share his story with kids? How do you make faith come alive for the next generation? Here's practical guidance for parents, grandparents, and catechists.
Why Carlo Acutis Resonates with Children
Children connect with Carlo because:
- He was a kid like them—he played games, went to school, and had normal interests
- He lived recently (died in 2006), so his world feels familiar
- He used technology, which kids understand and relate to
- He was kind and helped others—values children can grasp
- He loved Jesus in a simple, authentic way
Age-Appropriate Approaches
Ages 3-6
Approach: Simple, concrete, visual
How to Share Carlo's Story:
Focus on Carlo loving Jesus, being kind, and helping others. Use simple language.
Activities:
- • Look at pictures of Carlo
- • Color pictures of the Eucharist
- • Practice being kind like Carlo
Ages 7-10
Approach: Story-based, relatable examples
How to Share Carlo's Story:
Tell stories about Carlo's daily life—school, video games, helping homeless people.
Activities:
- • Read age-appropriate Carlo biography
- • Visit church to see the Eucharist
- • Do acts of service
Ages 11-14
Approach: Honest, address real questions
How to Share Carlo's Story:
Discuss Carlo's challenges, his use of technology, and how he lived faith as a teenager.
Activities:
- • Watch Carlo documentary
- • Discuss social media use
- • Start daily prayer habit
Practical Tips for Parents and Catechists
Make Faith Part of Daily Life
Don't separate 'faith time' from regular life. Pray before meals, talk about God naturally, and live your faith visibly.
Carlo's Example: Carlo's parents weren't initially devout, but his daily Mass attendance and visible faith brought them back to the Church.
Tell Stories, Don't Just Teach Rules
Children remember stories better than rules. Share saint stories, Bible stories, and your own faith experiences.
Carlo's Example: Instead of saying 'You should go to Mass,' tell them how Carlo loved Jesus in the Eucharist so much he went every day.
Answer Questions Honestly
When kids ask hard questions, don't dismiss them. Answer honestly at their level, and it's okay to say 'I don't know, let's find out together.'
Carlo's Example: If they ask why Carlo died young, explain that God's plans aren't always what we expect, but He's always good.
Make It Joyful, Not Burdensome
Faith should be attractive, not oppressive. Show them that following Jesus brings joy, not just rules.
Carlo's Example: Carlo was joyful! He played games, had fun, and loved life—all while being deeply holy.
Key Messages to Emphasize
When teaching children about Carlo, focus on these core messages:
1. Jesus Loves You
Carlo's whole life was about loving Jesus and knowing Jesus loved him. Help children understand that Jesus isn't just a historical figure—He's alive, present in the Eucharist, and loves them personally.
How to explain: "Carlo knew Jesus was his best friend. He talked to Jesus every day in prayer and visited Him in church. Jesus wants to be your best friend too!"
2. You Can Be Holy Too
Children often think saints are superhuman. Carlo proves that's not true. He was a normal kid who loved Jesus. Holiness is possible for everyone.
How to explain: "Carlo wasn't perfect. He was a regular kid like you. But he tried to be kind, pray every day, and love Jesus. You can do that too!"
3. Small Acts of Love Matter
Carlo didn't do one big heroic act. He did small things with great love—helping classmates, being kind, praying daily. Children can understand this.
How to explain: "Carlo became a saint by doing little things—being nice to people, helping his mom, praying before bed. You can be holy by doing little things with love too!"
4. Technology Can Be Used for Good
In a world where kids are surrounded by screens, Carlo shows that technology isn't bad—it's how you use it that matters.
How to explain: "Carlo loved computers and video games. But he used them in good ways—he made websites about Jesus and only played games for a little bit each week. You can use technology for good things too!"
5. The Eucharist Is Special
Carlo's love for the Eucharist was the center of his life. Help children understand that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
How to explain: "Carlo knew that the bread at Mass becomes Jesus— really Jesus! That's why he went to Mass every single day. He wanted to be close to Jesus. When you go to Mass, Jesus is there too!"
Activities to Bring Carlo's Story to Life
Children learn best through experience. Here are activities to help them connect with Carlo's story:
For Younger Children (3-7)
- • Color pictures of Carlo or the Eucharist
- • Act out Carlo helping someone in need
- • Visit church and show them where Jesus is in the tabernacle
- • Practice saying simple prayers like Carlo did
- • Do a kind act for someone and talk about how Carlo was kind
For Older Children (8-12)
- • Read an age-appropriate biography of Carlo together
- • Watch a documentary about Carlo's life
- • Visit the Eucharistic Miracles exhibition (online or in person)
- • Start a "Carlo Challenge"—daily prayer, weekly Mass, acts of service
- • Create a poster or presentation about Carlo to share with others
- • Discuss how to use technology for good vs. bad
Answering Difficult Questions
Children will ask hard questions. Here's how to answer them:
"Why did Carlo die so young?"
"Carlo got very sick with leukemia. Sometimes people die young, and we don't always understand why. But Carlo trusted God even when he was sick. He's in Heaven now, happy with Jesus forever."
"Can I play video games like Carlo?"
"Yes! Carlo played video games. But he only played for one hour each week, and he chose good games. The important thing is not to let games take over your life. Prayer and family come first."
"Do I have to go to Mass every day like Carlo?"
"You have to go to Mass on Sundays. Carlo chose to go every day because he loved Jesus so much. You can try going to Mass more often if you want, but the most important thing is to love Jesus with your whole heart."
"Can I become a saint?"
"Yes! God wants everyone to be a saint. You don't have to do big, amazing things. Just love Jesus, be kind to others, pray every day, and try your best. That's what Carlo did, and he became a saint!"
For Parents: Living What You Teach
The most powerful way to teach children about faith is to live it yourself. Carlo's parents weren't particularly devout when he was born, but his example brought them back to active faith. Your children are watching you.
- Pray visibly—let your kids see you praying
- Go to Mass as a family and participate fully
- Talk about God naturally in everyday conversations
- Serve others and bring your children along
- Admit when you struggle and show them how you turn to God
- Make faith joyful, not burdensome
For Catechists: Bringing Carlo into the Classroom
If you're teaching religious education, Carlo is a perfect example for modern children:
- Use Carlo's story when teaching about the Eucharist
- Show videos or pictures of Carlo to make him real
- Connect Carlo's use of technology to their lives
- Encourage students to do "Carlo Challenges"—daily prayer, acts of service
- Invite students to share how they can be like Carlo
- Pray to Carlo for your students' intentions
"To be always united with Jesus, this is my life's plan."— Saint Carlo Acutis (a simple plan children can understand and imitate)
Final Encouragement
Teaching children about faith is one of the most important things you can do. Carlo Acutis gives you a perfect example—a young, relatable saint who shows that holiness is possible for everyone.
Don't worry about being perfect. Just be authentic. Share Carlo's story with joy and enthusiasm. Let children see that faith isn't boring—it's the greatest adventure of all.