This coming weekend, on September 7th, 2025, the Church will celebrate the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the teenager from Milan who has already captured the hearts of Catholics around the world. Known as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist,” Carlo used his love of computers and design to share the beauty of faith online, especially through his website documenting Eucharistic miracles.

But what many don’t realize is that Carlo’s Christian journey began right here in London. Born here in 1991 and baptized in a small parish church in Fulham, Carlo’s earliest connection to the faith is rooted in this city. For those of us in London, it means we can walk in the footsteps of a modern saint right on our doorstep.

When news first broke that Carlo would be canonized this year, I was overjoyed and, like so many others, saddened when the date was postponed following the death of Pope Francis. But perhaps the waiting makes the new date even more meaningful.

September 7th was my grandmother’s birthday. She passed away two years ago, and her loss was one of the sparks that set me on this journey to create Hidden Catholic. So for me, celebrating Carlo’s canonization on this day feels like a thread connecting my own story with his – a reminder that faith is always handed on through the love and witness of those who come before us.

And as a mother of two boys, I find myself especially drawn to Carlo’s example. He was young, full of life, and yet so rooted in the Eucharist. To be able to point to him as a model of holiness in our own time is such a gift for families today.

Who Was Carlo Acutis?

Carlo was born in London on May 3, 1991, to Italian parents. Not long after his baptism, his family returned to Milan, where he grew up. He was a boy who loved football, computer games, and making people laugh – but above all, he loved the Eucharist.

At just 15 years old, Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia. He offered his suffering for the Pope and the Church, and died in 2006. His short life, marked by joy, simplicity, and devotion, has inspired countless people. Beatified in 2020, he will be canonized this weekend, becoming the first “millennial” saint.

A Mini-Pilgrimage: Visiting Carlo’s London

Two places in London stand out as especially meaningful for anyone wanting to honor Carlo’s memory and canonization:

Our Lady of Dolours, Fulham

This is where Carlo was baptized. It was here that he was first welcomed into the Church, beginning the journey of faith that would one day lead him to sainthood. Visiting this parish allows us to pause and reflect on our own baptism, the first step in every Christian’s call to holiness. You can pray at the shrine created for Carlo, read about the Eucharistic Miracles he documented, or sit in quiet reflective prayer. Note: look on their website for open hours as they are not open all day.

Corpus Christi, Covent Garden

Carlo became known as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist.” His life revolved around daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and helping others recognize the Real Presence of Christ. In London, there is a natural place to connect with this devotion: Corpus Christi, the Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament.

Here you can spend time in prayer before the Eucharist, just as Carlo loved to do. It’s a fitting way to celebrate his canonization by praying at his shrine and deepen your own Eucharistic faith.

Walking with Carlo Today in London

Carlo’s story reminds us that holiness is not about age or extraordinary circumstance – it’s about love, lived out simply and daily. He played video games, studied, and had friends like any other teenager, yet he always put Jesus at the center.

For us, it’s powerful to remember that this new saint’s journey began in an ordinary parish here in London. His baptism at Our Lady of Dolours and his Eucharistic devotion point us back to the foundations of our own faith: the grace of baptism and the gift of the Eucharist.

As we celebrate his canonization, a London pilgrimage to these two churches offers more than just a day out, it’s a chance to pray with a saint whose story began here.

Whether you stop by quietly on your own, bring your family, or come with a group, visiting Our Lady of Dolours in Fulham and Corpus Christi in Covent Garden is a way of walking with Carlo and letting his witness inspire you.

As he once said:

“The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.”