Heavenly Warrior on the Battlefield of the Internet

“Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.”
(Lumen Gentium)

Nearly six years ago when I began seeing Father Michael Stalla for spiritual direction, he suggested a spiritual practice that is still very dear to me. At the time I was suffering from chronic pain and complex PTSD. Everything was difficult, including praying. He began teaching me about the communion of saints and how we have an army of heavenly friends ready and willing to help us in all our needs. He suggested I transform my night prayer into a tea party with the saints and simply relax as I imagined myself sitting with saints such as Mother Mary, St. Rita and St. Monica, Maria Goretti, Felicity and Perpetua, and of course St. Therese. I was to invite them to be with me, to pray for me and to carry all that burdened me which I did not have the strength to carry or even to speak of in my own prayers. My tea parties with the saints became a source of comfort, peace, and strength for me in a time of intense suffering and chaos. The invitation list grew and grew as I began researching and longing to know more about the lives of the saints, especially those whose stories related to mine. I began to imagine our tea parties were no longer in my little kitchen but in a banquet hall!

My devotion to and reliance on my heavenly companions continues to grow to this day. Our Lord, in His goodness and providence, continues to lead me to the saints who desire to intercede for me and pray with me for the souls God has entrusted to my care. My newest heavenly friend is Blessed Carlo Acutis.

In October 2020, a priest came to my home to administer the anointing of the sick before I was to be hospitalized and receive a blood transfusion. He sat and spoke with me for a while and our conversation turned to Hope’s Garden. He asked if the members of the ministry were praying to a blessed in need of a miracle for canonization. He suggested we all pray for the intercession of Blessed Carlo whose beatification ceremony had just taken place the previous day. For a year now many of the women including those who pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet together daily, have been praying the novena prayer to Bl. Carlo and asking for my complete healing as well as healing for all the Bridegroom’s living Roses.

As I have spent time in prayer with Blessed Carlo, I have felt Jesus’ joy and loving pride in this young, faithful and devoted saint to be. Carlo is a wonderful witness for us of a soul who fell in love with the Bridegroom and committed his life to leading others in his footsteps. His devotion to the Eucharist inspired him to create a website dedicated to sharing Eucharistic miracles. At a very young age, Carlo understood the power that sharing our love for Jesus has to evangelize and convert hearts and he used technology to reach the widest audience possible. The internet has become a virtual “kingdom” or territory in which the battle between good and evil is waged. Blessed Carlo was a warrior for Jesus and His Kingdom on this battlefield. I believe he is still battling to win this virtual territory for Jesus. I have begun to ask his intercession and help in the battle to rid our world of the evil of internet pornogarphy that is destroying so many marriages and families. I also ask our young soon to be saint to pray for protection for our children, grandchildren, and all the young from the many manifestations of evil on the internet and social media.

On this the feast day of Blessed Carlo Acutis 2021, I would like to share my prayers and ask you to join me in asking his intercession for the following intentions: the healing of hearts, marriages and families especially those affected by pornogarphy, physical and emotional healing for the Bridegroom’s living Roses, and protection for the young from all forms of evil on the internet. May Jesus be claimed as King of this virtual kingdom and His Truth and purity reign.

Prayer to Blessed Carlo Acutis
Blessed Carlo, you used the internet to spread Truth, love of Jesus, and devotion to His Eucharistic Presence. The enemy of our souls infects the internet with impurity, lies, and darkness. Through your intercession, may Jesus’ Truth and Love triumph so He may reign as King over the internet as well as in our hearts and our homes. We ask, in particular, for you, Blessed Carlo, to pray with us for the abolishment of internet pornography and for protection from this evil for ourselves and all our loved ones. Amen.

Official Novena Prayer to Blessed Carlo Acutis
Dear Father,
Who has given us the ardent testimony of the young Servant of God, Carlo Acutis, who made the Eucharist the core of his life and strength of his daily commitments so that everybody may love You above all else, let him soon be counted among the Blessed and Saints in Your Church.
Confirm my Faith, nurture my Hope, strengthen my Charity in the image of young Carlo, who, growing in these virtues, now lives with You.
(Mention your request here…)
I trust in you, Father, and your Beloved Son Jesus, in the Virgin Mary, our Dearest Mother, and in the intervention of Your Servant, Carlo Acutis.
“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan”.
“The Sacrament of the Eucharist: My Highway to Heaven.”
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us!
Pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.