For only the second time in my life, I attended a movie on opening night. *
Last night, my wife and I joined a number of parishioners from St. John the Evangelist at the premiere of Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. The story has particular significance to those of us at St. John (and St. Michael and St. Gabriel), as we will become the Saint Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes upon his canonization.
That canonization was supposed to take place on Sunday, though that was delayed due to the passing of Pope Francis. That explains both the timing of the release and the unfortunate assumption in the film when he is referred to as a saint. But that’s about the only misstep in an engrossing and well-done film.
The story tells about the life of Carlo Acutis, while also how Carlo was able to defy the damage done through digital obsessiveness in his evangelization efforts. At the same time, we follow a group of high school students from North Dakota on a pilgrimage to Italy, the fellow young people who represent the fruits of Blessed Carlo’s considerable efforts.
*Years ago, at my baseball-loving son’s insistence, we saw the Jackie Robinson story, 42, on opening night. So, I’m two for two in choosing worthwhile subjects for such a distinction.
52 Masses 