Blessed Carlo Acutis on the Sacrament of Confession

Here are 3 images that Blessed Carlo Acutis used to help us understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

1. A hot-air balloon ride.

“The smallest flaw keeps us anchored to the earth, just like balloons that are held down by a string that you hold in your hand” (Blessed Carlo).

Carlo often used this metaphor to describe the residue that sin leaves on the soul. He used another analogy to show how we need to confess often:

The soul is like a hot air balloon. Venial sins are like little weights that prevent the soul from rising up to heaven. A single mortal sin makes the soul fall back to earth. Confession is like the fire that makes the hot air balloon rise up again.

As a result, Blessed Carlo went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation every week with a retired priest from his local parish.

After his death, the priest told Antonia that Carlo was a boy of exceptional transparency and clarity. He wanted to improve in all aspects, both in terms of love toward God and in terms of love for his neighbour, starting with his parents. He wanted to perfect his friendships with those his age, with his classmates, with his teachers. He also wanted to work harder to dive deeper into various school subjects and informatics in addition to topics related to faith.

2. An appointment with your doctor.

Blessed Carlo said that you have to look at the priest with eyes of faith and see Him as your doctor.

In fact, it is through him that God heals the wounds which come from sin. The only obstacle to a good confession is the “I.” When we confess our wretchedness, we demolish the “I,” and the mirror of our soul becomes pure, with no shadows, and God reflects his own image through this mirror since no obstacle presents itself to him.”

Carlo believed it was fundamental to have changes recommended at each confession and to have achievable goals. With this in mind, going to the same priest can be helpful.

3. A step from darkness into light.

Carlo felt the need to explain that confession is also called the sacrament of mercy, because it reflects God’s love for us — the love of he who died on the cross to save us and redeem us. Since eternity, he has thought of each of us individually.

Carlo said that through this sacrament, it is as if a ray of light filters through the consecrated hands of a priest and tears down the shadows in which we are enveloped by sin. Mercy is the movement of light in the shadows.