A videographer from Castletown Media located in Seattle was present in June when a collective of 152 Catholic high school students and their chaperones from North Dakota set out on a pilgrimage to Rome. He traveled with them on their journey over the Atlantic Ocean, and he captured footage of them during their visit to Assisi, where they paid their respects at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis. who will officially be canonized in 2025.
The video was recorded for the documentary “Roadmap to Reality: Carlo Acutis and Our Digital Age” that is presently being produced and set to launch in cinemas next year.
Courtesy of Castletown Media
Prior to that visit at the Shrine of the Renunciation Church of St. Mary Major, the pilgrims gained insight into the life of Carlo, who died on Oct. 12, 2006, when he was just 15 years old. However, witnessing his body encased in glass, wearing jeans, Nike sneakers, and a sweatshirt created a powerful impression. He resembles them, contrasting with the more traditional robed saints from history.
Certainly, Carlo has been referred to as a saint for our era and for the contemporary technological landscape. He is set to become the first millennial to achieve canonization, and he is an individual that young people can identify with.
“Several individuals remarked that he appears so youthful that ‘He’s younger than I am,’” stated Jerome Richter, the executive vice president and chief of staff at the University of Mary in Bismarck, who coordinated the pilgrimage. “They expressed that it was incredible to behold the countenance of a saint. Some were moved to tears without understanding the reason behind their emotions. Others found it captivating and commented, ‘There’s a young person I can relate to.’ Many of them felt inspired.”
Their responses will be included in the documentary that delves into the experiences and insights that Carlo provides — particularly for younger audiences — who are facing the difficulties of the digital landscape.
“We are viewing the world through Carlo’s perspective,” stated Tim Moriarty, executive producer of Castletown Media and the film’s director. “We are examining a reality that is progressively influenced by digital innovation, and we are seeing it through the vision of a saint who is profoundly guided by his Catholic beliefs in his interaction with the world.”
He mentioned to Our Sunday Visitor that this perspective should matter to all those who are worried about navigating a world that is becoming more foreign and is influenced by rapidly developing technology.
“It makes us feel unsettled,” he stated. “What steps can we take to establish a roadmap, and even more crucially, how can we offer that roadmap to others, particularly the younger generation, to navigate a scenario where the foundation beneath us is perpetually changing and trembling? How can we keep our connections with one another? Carlo demonstrates how to achieve that.”
Films to inspire
Castletown Media has created multiple faith-oriented documentaries that were released by Fathom Events, which will also manage the latest project. One was “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love,” created for the Knights of Columbus. The other was “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist,” developed for Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry.
These movies were created in partnership with Jim Wahlberg, who is likewise participating in “Road to Reality.”
Filmmaker Jim Wahlberg is seen in an undated photo. CNS photo/courtesy Pinkston
“Carlo Acutis’s journey is exceptionally motivating, particularly for today’s youth,” Wahlberg expressed to Our Sunday Visitor. “He harnessed his skills and contemporary resources to draw others nearer to Christ, illustrating that holiness can be achieved even amidst the digital era. Carlo’s creative application of technology for evangelization and his profound commitment to the Eucharist render him an ideal example for maneuvering through the digital landscape with belief. This initiative serves to pay tribute to his memory and show that anyone, including a teenager with a computer, can create a significant influence through their faith.”
Wahlberg expressed that participating in Catholic filmmaking holds significant personal meaning for him. He experienced a challenging upbringing and frequently found himself in juvenile detention facilities. Wahlberg faced a period of homelessness and battled with substance abuse issues, including drugs and alcohol. He was taken into custody for public intoxication and disorderly behavior, and spent time in prison for armed robbery.
