Session 4 – Carlo & Everyday Holiness

Showing teens that sainthood is not about perfectionism or visions, but a daily “yes” to Jesus in the middle of ordinary life.

Session overview

Many teenagers quietly assume that holiness is “for other people” – older, more religious, or from another time. Carlo’s short, ordinary-looking life explodes that myth. This session helps each teen begin to write their own simple “life plan with Jesus”.

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 60 minute outline

1. Recap & “what struck you?” (10 minutes)

  • Invite quick sharing: “What has surprised you most about Carlo over these sessions?”

2. Scripture & mini-talk (10–15 minutes)

  • Read Hebrews 12:1–2 slowly.
  • Briefly explain: life as a race, saints as “crowd of witnesses”, Jesus as the focus.
  • Connect to Carlo’s “life plan” centred on staying close to Jesus day by day.

3. Personal exercise – “My life plan with Jesus” (20 minutes)

  • Give each teen a sheet with prompts (or write them on the board):
    • “With Jesus, I want my life to be about…”
    • “One habit I want to grow is…”
    • “One thing I want to let go of is…”
  • Invite them to write a simple “life plan sentence” like Carlo’s. Example: “To stay close to Jesus each day and bring His love to my friends.”
  • Keep background music low if helpful; emphasise this is between them and God.

4. Sharing in pairs (10 minutes – optional)

  • Invite them, if they wish, to share their sentence with one trusted person.
  • Each then prays one line for the other: “Jesus, help [name] live this plan.”

5. Closing consecration (5–10 minutes)

  • As a group, pray a simple consecration, for example: “Jesus, through the prayers of Saint Carlo, we give You our lives. Help us to stay close to You, today and every day.”
  • Option: invite them to quietly place their written “plan” near a cross or image of Jesus and Carlo as a sign of offering.

Writing “my life plan with Jesus”

Offer these prompts on a handout or slide:

  • What kind of person do I want to be at 25? At 40?
  • When do I feel most alive in a good way – and most empty?
  • Which saints (including Carlo) or people inspire me most? Why?
  • If I put Jesus at the centre of my life, what might change?

Then invite them to write one clear sentence that begins with “With Jesus, my life plan is…” – and keep it somewhere they will see it again.