by Melissa Gillie

For nearly my entire adult life, I’ve worked with children and young people in some capacity: camp counselor, mentor, youth group leader, speaker at high school or college events, and more. I’ve been the one with the “wisdom” to share, usually about my Catholic faith, sharing my journey, perspective, and gifts. And I love it. I love being the big sister, trusted advisor, and go-to person to share about life’s questions, heartbreak, and confusion.

But recently, I gained wisdom from the example of someone much younger than me. And boy, it was humbling and beautiful! I knew of him but didn’t really know him. I knew other people loved him, but I just didn’t get it. What could a 15-year-old boy teach me about life and faith?

Little did I know how strong of a connection I would have! And now, there is no turning back. He imprinted his life into mine in a profound way, and all hyperbole aside, he changed my life. I’m talking about St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint canonized by our first American Pope, on September 7. On that day, I found myself among 80,000 other people in St. Peter’s Square who also felt a similar connection.

My first encounter with Carlo occurred on a visit to Assisi for work on a pilgrimage in 2022. I love Italy—but it wasn’t my choice to be there this time around. However, I fell in love with Assisi. The quaint town is incredibly beautiful and peaceful.

Visiting Carlo’s embalmed body at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was on the to-do list. It was after dying in 2006 from leukemia that this 15-year old’s legacy impacted the Catholic Church. People travel from far and wide to pay him respect. The day we arrived, our approximately 60-person group entered the church together. Many others were there, paying their respects, praying for his intercession, and touching the glass case that held his interred body.

When we had free time the next day, I found myself drawn back to Santa Maria Maggiore. Walking into the church this time, I was the only person there, seeking a brief and intimate encounter with Carlo, then a “Blessed.” In jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers, his interred body lay there—it was incredibly peaceful. I thought of all the young people I encountered and loved through my work and time in youth ministry, and it became a deeply personal and special moment, being alone with a future saint before the crowd poured in.

Fast forward to June 2025 while working for The Angelico Project, a non-profit organization that evangelizes through beauty by offering encounters of art, thought, and culture. At our annual fundraising gala, the only auction item offered was a painting of Carlo Acutis. Objectively, this painting by sacred artist Holly Schapker is incredibly impressive. But subjectively, I thought we could have chosen a better option—something more universal like a painting of Jesus or Mary.

As the gala approached, I made recommendations and projections for how much money we could raise. We boldly set high goals that seemed a little insane at the time. I projected a best-case scenario of $30,000—we made $40,000!

While relishing the night’s success on the following day, a gala committee member shared the announcement that Carlo would be canonized on September 7. I was so moved, I immediately booked an Airbnb within walking distance of the Vatican, to be present for the canonization, then asked the other committee members, “Who’s coming with me?”

Eighteen of us traveled from all over the U.S. to witness the canonization: two teenage boys, seven young women aged 24-40, seven women over 40, and two priests—all taking a spontaneous trip together. Many began as strangers, but we parted as lifelong friends.

This “Carlo Connection,” as I call it, prompted me to pursue work I didn’t think was possible, but knew was needed. I’m doing whatever I can to help people hear about Carlo Acutis—I quit my day job to sell this incredible art that tells the story of a young boy whose deep commitment and faith show us that holiness is possible.

I think holiness freaks people out; if I’m holy, I won’t get to do all the things I want to do. The reality is that holiness purifies our desires, not deplete them.

Carlo wasn’t perfect. He was an ordinary kid, known for his love of Pokémon, PlayStation, and soccer. What made him extraordinary were his love of Christ, his desire to share the incredible miracles that took place to prove the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, his attention and service to the poor, and his profound wisdom to suffer graciously and, ultimately, die with dignity. And now, this humble boy has been exalted as the first modern-day saint in a moving ceremony witnessed by tens of thousands of Catholics standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me in St. Peter’s Square.