{"id":8306,"date":"2025-10-19T10:54:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T10:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/8306\/"},"modified":"2025-10-19T10:54:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T10:54:24","slug":"young-hearts-drawn-to-tech-savvy-teen-saint-at-staten-island-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/8306\/","title":{"rendered":"Young hearts drawn to tech-savvy teen saint at Staten Island celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Students and families gathered at Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy last week to celebrate St. Carlo Acutis Day, honoring the newly canonized teen saint with a day of faith, learning, and inspiration.<\/p>\n

The centerpiece of the celebration was the internationally renowned \u201cEucharistic Miracles of the World\u201d exhibition, originally created by Acutis himself. <\/p>\n

The exhibit features panels documenting global Eucharistic miracles that were compiled by the tech-savvy teen who used the internet to spread his devotion to the Eucharist. Known as \u201cGod\u2019s influencer,\u201d Acutis taught himself computer coding and built a website to share these miracles, aiming to inspire faith in others.<\/p>\n

\"St.The event featured part of the saint’s renowned “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibition for students to view.Courtesy of Lisa Nielson<\/p>\n

Acutis, a British-born Italian teen, died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. His deep devotion to the Eucharist and innovative use of technology to evangelize led to his canonization by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, following a delay due to the death of Pope Francis earlier this year.<\/p>\n

In honor of the saint, local artist Sofia Nielsen<\/a> was commissioned by the Padre Pio Society to create a painting of St. Carlo Acutis for the seventh-grade classroom at Holy Rosary School. The painting will remain in the classroom permanently.<\/p>\n

\"St.Sofia Nielsen painted this oil portrait of St. Carlo Acutis for the seventh-grade classroom at Holy Rosary School in South Beach.Advance\/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence<\/p>\n

\u201cThe primary inspiration comes from my faith,\u201d said Nielsen, who also teaches art classes for young children at Emerging Talent Studios. \u201cI went through a difficult period last year with health anxiety. My faith and the church got me through it. This painting is a way for me to give back and hopefully inspire young people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nielsen, who was the salutatorian of her class at Notre Dame Academy, previously gifted each girl in her graduating class a hand-painted portrait<\/a> during her speech on graduation day this past June. She hopes her painting of Acutis will continue his legacy of communicating faith in a modern way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the painting accurately captures his likeness and, more importantly, honors his legacy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"St.Members of Padre Pio Society, Lisa Nielsen (left), Laura Lucchese (right), and Laura Uruchima (middle), pose with the painting that Sofia Nielsen completed.Advance\/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence<\/p>\n

In a statement to the Advance\/SILive.com Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy\u2019s Principal Debbie Cretella said the school is grateful for the gift.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are extremely grateful to be the recipient of this painting,\u201d Cretella said. \u201cEvery grade from kindergarten through eighth has a classroom saint for a yearlong study. St. Carlo Acutis is our seventh-grade saint.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of the celebration, families received rosaries that had been touched to a relic of St. Carlo Acutis \u2014 strands of his hair currently on loan from the pastor at St. Rita\u2019s Church. <\/p>\n

These rosaries, having touched the relic, are considered third-class relics, carrying spiritual significance for those who use them in prayer.<\/p>\n

\"St.The relic of St. Carlo Acutis\u2019 hair that was used to bless over 400 rosaries for students and their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had over 400 rosaries touched to the relic,\u201d said Lisa Nielsen of the Padre Pio Society. \u201cWe taught the children how to pray a decade of the rosary and explained how Carlo Acutis believed Jesus was the center of one\u2019s life. He used rosaries like these every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Padre Pio Society hopes the children will treasure the rosaries and that the event will help rekindle faith in the community.<\/p>\n

\"St.The event featured part of the saint’s renowned “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibition and the unveiling of a new painting for Holy Rosary School’s seventh-grade classroom.Courtesy of Lisa Nielson<\/p>\n

\u201cOur mission is just beginning,\u201d said event organizer Laura Lucchese of the Padre Pio Society. \u201cWe want to bring people back to the church. St. Carlo believed that through the children, we can reach the parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event also featured light refreshments, interactive learning stations, and a short film about Acutis\u2019s life, offering a meaningful experience for all who attended.<\/p>\n

\"St.The event featured part of the saint’s renowned “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibition and the unveiling of a new painting for Holy Rosary School’s seventh-grade classroom.Courtesy of Lisa Nielson<\/p>\n

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