Just Teach Sheets In Depth October Week 2

In-Depth Track – Just Teach Sheet

October Week 2
Theme: Saints & Holiness
Focus: St. Carlo Acutis — a modern saint whose life embodies Eucharistic devotion, digital evangelisation, heroic charity, and a witness to the universal call to holiness.

Weekly Goal

To study St. Carlo Acutis (1991–2006, canonised 2025) in theological depth as a sign that holiness is possible in the digital age. His Eucharistic faith, charity, suffering, and evangelisation provide apologetic proof that Catholicism is alive, relevant, and transformative today.

What You’ll Need

Bible

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1322–1419; 2013–2015; 2447)

Writings of the Church Fathers on Eucharist and holiness

Carlo Acutis’ Eucharistic Miracles project (available online)

Notebook for theological reflections

Opening Prayer (Daily)

Eternal Father,
You raised up St. Carlo Acutis as a witness of Eucharistic love.
Grant that by studying his life,
I may deepen my own faith in the Real Presence,
use my gifts for evangelisation,
live charity in deed,
and unite my suffering with Christ’s sacrifice.
Make me holy, as You made him holy.
Amen.

Day 1 – Eucharistic Centrality

Teaching:
Carlo’s life centred on the Eucharist. He said: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” His devotion affirms Catholic teaching: the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.

�� John 6:51 – “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”
�� CCC 1324 – “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.”

Patristic Witness:

St. Ignatius of Antioch (1st c.): “The Eucharist is the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

St. Cyril of Jerusalem: “Do not regard the Bread and Wine as ordinary… they are the Body and Blood of Christ.”

Apologetic Note:
Carlo’s life rebukes modern claims that the Eucharist is “just symbolic.” His entire spirituality flowed from Eucharistic adoration and communion.

Day 2 – Digital Evangelisation

Teaching:
Carlo saw the internet as a mission field. He created a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles to help others believe.

�� 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.”

Theological Insight:
The Church calls for evangelisation in new forums (cf. Evangelii Nuntiandi, St. Paul VI). Carlo embodies the “new evangelisation” by sanctifying the digital space.

Apologetic Note:
Critics say Catholicism is outdated. Carlo proves the opposite: the Gospel is always new and can thrive in modern tools, when consecrated to Christ.

Day 3 – Charity as Proof of Holiness

Teaching:
Carlo defended bullied classmates and helped the homeless. His Eucharistic devotion bore fruit in charity.

�� James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”
�� CCC 1397 – “The Eucharist commits us to the poor.”

Patristic Witness:

St. John Chrysostom: “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.”

Apologetic Note:
Carlo answers the charge that Catholic devotion is “ritualistic.” His faith in the Eucharist led to concrete service of the poor — showing liturgy and charity are inseparable.

Day 4 – Redemptive Suffering

Teaching:
Carlo accepted his leukaemia at 15 with peace, offering it for the Pope and the Church. He said: “I’m happy to die, because I haven’t wasted even a minute on things that don’t please God.”

�� Colossians 1:24 – “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

Theological Insight:
Carlo’s suffering participates in the mystery of redemptive suffering, showing even teenagers can live St. Paul’s teaching.

Apologetic Note:
A world that sees suffering as meaningless is confronted with Carlo’s joyful offering — proof that faith transforms even death.

Day 5 – Holiness in the Digital Age

Teaching:
Carlo’s life proves the Church’s teaching on the universal call to holiness (Lumen Gentium V; CCC 2013). He lived holiness not as an abstract ideal but as a daily reality — Mass, prayer, technology, charity, and suffering.

�� Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
�� CCC 2013–2015 – All Christians are called to holiness in every state of life.

Apologetic Note:
Holiness is not outdated. Carlo shows sanctity is possible in trainers, using the internet, loving football, and living in Milan in the 2000s.

Weekend Wrap-Up – Lessons from Carlo

Eucharistic devotion is the foundation of holiness.

The new evangelisation includes sanctifying digital culture.

Faith must bear fruit in charity.

Suffering becomes redemptive in Christ.

Holiness is possible now.

Study Task:
Write a short apologetic response: “Why do Catholics still believe sainthood is possible in today’s world?” Use Carlo’s life, Scripture (Jn 6; Col 1), CCC (1324, 2013, 1397), and Fathers (Ignatius, Chrysostom).

Journal Prompts

“Carlo’s Eucharistic faith challenges me to…”

“My gifts that I could consecrate to God are…”

“The greatest witness of holiness in Carlo’s life is…”

Apologetics Corner

Objection: “Catholicism is outdated.”
→ Response: Carlo (1991–2006) lived holiness in the digital age. His canonisation shows the Gospel is alive now.

Objection: “Eucharistic devotion is ritualism.”
→ Response: Carlo’s Eucharist devotion produced real charity. Ritual and love go together.

Objection: “Sainthood is impossible for ordinary people.”
→ Response: Carlo was a teenager, a gamer, and a student — now he is a saint. Holiness is possible for anyone.

Catechism Deep Dive

CCC 1324–1327 – Eucharist as source and summit.

CCC 1397 – Eucharist commits us to the poor.

CCC 2013–2015 – Universal call to holiness.

CCC 2447 – Works of mercy.

Patristic References:

Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrnaeans (on Eucharist).

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew (on finding Christ in the poor).

Augustine, City of God (on the communion of saints).