A school in Gortahork in the Donegal Gaeltacht has become the first in Ireland to be named after Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, known as “God’s Influencer”. Gort a’ Choirce National School has added Saint Carlo Acutis to its name and will now be known as Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis.

According to school principal Patricia Uí hArlaigh, the parish community of Scoil Náisiúnta Gort an Choirce has been on a ten-year journey praying that Carlo Acutis would become a saint.

“We are so honoured that we can now include Saint Carlo’s name in our school name,” she said. “This is a very special day for the parish, a special day for Donegal, and a special day for all of Ireland. We are delighted to be the first school in Ireland to be named after Saint Carlo.”

Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Raphoe, and Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo of Saint Carlo Parish in Assisi celebrated Mass to mark the occasion.  Parishioners then had the opportunity to venerate  relics of Saint Carlo, which Monsignor Figueiredo brought from Assisi, where the saint is buried.  Among the relics was a piece of the pericardium surrounding Carlo’s heart.

The Mass was followed by a march to the school, led by Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola and Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola.

Bishop Coll encouraged the parish and school community in Gortahork to see Saint Carlo Acutis as a guide and inspiration as Scoil Náisiúnta Gort an Choirce became the first school in Ireland to take him as its patron.  Born in 1991, the millennial saint would be thirty-five years old today had he lived.  He died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of fifteen and was declared a saint of the Church by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September 2025.

Standing at the newly renamed Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis, Bishop Coll said, “This area has been Christian for 1,500 years, spanning 50 generations.  In some ways there has been a stumble in Ireland over the last two or three generations in the transmission of the faith.  But that does not mean that the power and attraction of the Gospel have lost any of their strength.  Don’t let anyone convince you that God doesn’t matter.  When you send your children and grandchildren to Scoil Naomh Carlo Acutis, remember that they have a patron for the modern generation.”

Monsignor Figueiredo drew a comparison between Saint Patrick and Saint Carlo Acutis as Scoil Náisiúnta Gort an Choirce was renamed in honour of the first millennial saint.  Having travelled from Assisi with Saint Carlo’s relics for the celebrations, he encouraged the community, “Saint Carlo Acutis is the first millennial saint: a genius with a computer, the first saint with an email address, and a normal boy who loved Nutella.

“We bring the relics because he is no different from you. Yet he comes to inspire you in three ways:

1. All of us are born originals, yet we want to be photocopies: Carlo made a decision to follow Jesus at the age of seven and brought his parents back to Mass.  You can be originals in a world where God is cancelled.

2. Carlo had a vision for his life: always to follow Jesus: He did this through attending Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, devotion to the Blessed Mother and the saints, and by carrying out small acts of charity.

3. To love what awaits tomorrow, give the best of yourselves today: Don’t hide your gifts and talents.  Use them to bring others to Jesus.”

Monsignor Figueiredo  concluded, “Find God and you will find the meaning of your life.”

Source: Diocese of Raphoe.