St. Charles church hosting documentary screening on the first millennial saint

The 2025 documentary “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” is coming to the Arcada Theatre on Tuesday, June 9. This screening is presented by St. John Neumann Catholic Church in St. Charles, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a parish, and the Servi Christi Fox Valley Chapter, also in St. Charles, which is marking its fifth year.

This inspiring documentary tells the extraordinary story of St. Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager, referred to as the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.

Following his First Communion, Carlo developed an intense devotion to Christ. His life was marked by extraordinary acts of charity. He was known for his kindness, helping the homeless, and volunteering at soup kitchens. From a young age, he exhibited a deep mystical life, often spending hours in prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He dedicated himself to cataloging Eucharistic Miracles online, showing how technology can be used for evangelization. At age 15, he was diagnosed with leukemia and died in Monza, Italy, on Oct. 12, 2005. His life and faith left a lasting impact on all who knew him. Carlo was beatified on Oct. 10, 2020, in Assisi, Italy. Many who had been inspired by his life and work attended his beatification.

In May 2024, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had recognized the second miracle necessary for Carlo to be named the Church’s first millennial saint, paving the way for his canonization. His deep love for the Eucharist and faith has captivated Catholics worldwide.

The film follows a group of American youth on a technology-free pilgrimage to Italy where they immerse themselves in the life of St. Carlo Acutis.

Along the way, viewers witness their honest reactions and reflections as they search for meaning in today’s digital age. St. Carlo’s family, friends, and prominent Catholic contemporary voices, along with technology experts, share their insights for today’s youth, for all those guiding them, and those who want to regulate their own use of the internet with balance.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. at the theater, 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles. Tickets are $15. For tickets, go to arcadalive.com.

“Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” is a production of Castletown Media and Jim Wahlberg in association with the National Eucharistic Congress Inc. and the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame.

It was directed, produced, and written by Tim Moriarty, the CEO and founder of Castletown Media.