Blessed Carlo Acutis Embraces Rededication and Renaming
When St Chad’s Catholic and CofE Academy became Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy in October 2023, they truly embraced the legacy and outstanding history of their new patron.
Already a supportive and faith-centred community, the academy’s new name and adopted history have strengthened its values and given the Blessed Carlo Acutis school family a new lease of life.
The academy’s rededication and renaming have resulted in increased student numbers for the next academic year, and attendance at parents’ evenings has increased from 50% to over 70%. Knowing where their new name comes from and the impact it has means that students, as well as their families, now take even more pride in their school.
With the upcoming canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager with a passion for computers and the Eucharist, the academy is truly proud to wear his name on its uniforms, which students wear with pride. Acutis died at the early age of 15 in 2006 from acute promyelocytic leukaemia. He was an outstanding computer-coding teenager known for his great devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He will soon become the first millennial saint.
Carlo called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven,” and he did all in his power to make this presence known. His witness inspired his own parents to return to practising the Catholic faith and his Hindu au pair to convert and be baptised. He loved computers and video games and had strong relationships with friends. Friends who have stated how he brought them closer to God.
The academy is excited to take another step on its journey. Whilst they knew Carlo was special, and hoped that one day the Pope would recognise that, the canonisation has come earlier than was expected. The whole community is excited to hear the news, which has brought many questions from those visiting the academy. It’s a humbling thought that not many people in England had heard of Blessed Carlo Acutis prior to the academy change of name and that the academy re-naming has been the vehicle to opening up discussion amongst those they serve.
As the academy moves into this new chapter, this new legacy helps to create a stronger, pride-driven community. The academy is also looking forward to making their first visit to Rome as Blessed Carlo Acutis next year.
