Carlo for Teens
A youth ministry pack inspired by Saint Carlo Acutis – ready-made ideas, session outlines and resources to help teenagers discover that holiness is possible in their world today.
Why Carlo speaks to teenagers
Saint Carlo Acutis was not a priest, religious or martyr. He was a teenager who went to a normal school, played football, loved video games, used a computer every day – and quietly let the Eucharist change his life. That is why he connects so strongly with young people: his holiness looks like their world, not another planet.
This youth ministry pack gathers simple, practical ways to use Carlo’s story with teens: session outlines, discussion questions, prayer ideas, and themes that speak directly into their daily experience of school, phones, friendships and pressure.
You can adapt the material for a single youth night, a short retreat, a confirmation programme, or a series of school RE lessons.
Who this pack is for
This “Carlo for Teens” pack is designed for:
- Parish youth leaders and chaplains
- Confirmation and First Communion catechists
- RE teachers in Catholic schools and colleges
- Campus ministers and retreat leaders
- Parents who want to pray with their teens at home
Everything here can be run with minimal equipment: a room, a Bible, a printout or two, and – if possible – a nearby church or chapel for prayer.
What’s in the youth ministry pack
The pack is built around four core sessions that you can use separately or as a mini-series:
- Carlo & the Eucharist – “My highway to Heaven”
- Carlo & the Internet – screens, gaming and freedom
- Carlo & Friendship – bullying, kindness and courage
- Carlo & Everyday Holiness – being an “original”, not a photocopy
Each session outline below includes: a goal, key quote, Scripture passage, suggested structure and discussion questions. You can also click through to view the full, detailed leader’s guide for each session.
Session 1 – Carlo & the Eucharist
Theme: Eucharist • Time: 60–75 minutes • Ideal setting: youth room plus chapel or church
Goal
Help teens see the Eucharist not as a “rule” or routine, but as a living friendship with Jesus that can anchor their whole life.
Key Carlo quote
“The Eucharist is the highway to Heaven.”
Scripture
John 6:51–58 – “I am the living bread which came down from heaven…”
Suggested structure
- Welcome & icebreaker (favourite meal, why?)
- Short video or story about Carlo’s daily Mass
- Read Scripture aloud (John 6:51–58)
- Small group discussion (questions below)
- Quiet time in front of the tabernacle (even 10–15 minutes)
- Simple closing prayer using Carlo’s words
Discussion questions
- If you could ask Carlo one question about the Mass, what would it be?
- What makes it hard for people your age to believe that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist?
- Is there one small change you could make (this week) to take Mass or Holy Communion more seriously?
Session 2 – Carlo & the Internet
Theme: Technology • Time: 60 minutes • Ideal setting: youth room / classroom
Goal
Invite teens to see phones, games and social media as tools that can be used for good – and to set simple, realistic limits inspired by Carlo.
Key Carlo quote
“We are all born as originals, but many die as photocopies.”
Scripture
Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Suggested structure
- Quick poll: “How many hours on screens yesterday?”
- Short story of Carlo limiting games to 1 hour/week
- Read Colossians 3:17 and link to digital life
- Group work: “Pros & cons of the internet” charts
- Personal challenge: one concrete change for the week
- Closing prayer asking Carlo’s help with tech habits
Discussion questions
- When does tech help your faith, and when does it hurt it?
- What do you admire about the way Carlo used technology?
- If you tried Carlo’s 1-hour gaming limit for a week, what would you gain? What would be hardest?
Session 3 – Carlo & Friendship
Theme: Friendship & charity • Time: 60 minutes
Goal
Show teens how Carlo’s faith shaped the way he treated classmates, especially the lonely, bullied and those going through family problems.
Key Carlo example
Carlo defended bullied students, included those on the edge of groups, and invited friends with difficult home lives into his family life.
Scripture
John 15:12–15 – “I have called you friends…”
Suggested structure
- Short anonymous “friendship pressures” brainstorm
- Read John 15:12–15 and reflect in silence
- Tell two or three brief stories about Carlo’s kindness
- Small group sharing: “One time I needed a real friend…”
- Commitment: choose one person to treat differently this week
- Prayer for specific friends in need
Session 4 – Carlo & Everyday Holiness
Theme: Holiness in ordinary life • Time: 60 minutes
Goal
Help teens see that sainthood is not about visions or perfectionism, but about small daily choices to love God and others – just as Carlo did.
Key Carlo quote
“To always be close to Jesus, that is my life plan.”
Scripture
Hebrews 12:1–2 – “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…”
Suggested structure
- Short recap: “What surprised you most about Carlo?”
- Read Hebrews 12:1–2 and Carlo’s quote
- Individual exercise: write “my life plan with Jesus” in one sentence
- Share in pairs (only if they want), then pray for each other
- Optional: simple act of consecration to Jesus through the intercession of Carlo