Santa Maria Segreta Parish Honors Saint Carlo Acutis with Orphanage Reconstruction in Milan
The parish of Santa Maria Segreta in Milan, well known as the spiritual home of Saint Carlo Acutis, has announced an extraordinary charitable initiative that reflects both the legacy and the values of the young saint. In commemoration of his canonization and in thanksgiving for the countless blessings associated with his witness, the parish has decided to donate all the money collected during this celebratory period to fund the complete reconstruction and renovation of a local orphanage in Milan. This generous act is not only a tribute to Carlo’s life but also a powerful message of solidarity and hope for the city’s most vulnerable children.
A Parish with Special Significance
Santa Maria Segreta Parish has always held a central place in Carlo Acutis’ story. Although born in London, Carlo was raised in Milan from a young age, and this parish became the heart of his spiritual life. He attended Mass there regularly, prayed the Rosary with great devotion, and received the sacraments with fervent love. It was here that his deep Eucharistic faith grew and matured, a faith that would later inspire his worldwide project of documenting Eucharistic miracles online.
For many of the faithful, Santa Maria Segreta is now inseparably linked to Carlo’s memory. Pilgrims visit to walk in his footsteps, pray at the altar where he knelt, and feel close to the young saint who found in this church his “spiritual home.” It is therefore profoundly fitting that this parish is at the center of a charitable initiative inspired by his legacy.
A Gift of Love for Orphans
The parish leadership, after prayerful reflection, chose to dedicate all the funds raised during the celebrations of Carlo’s canonization to support children in need. The money, gathered from donations, pilgrim offerings, and special collections, will go directly toward reconstructing and renovating an orphanage in Milan that has long required urgent care.
This orphanage, which provides shelter, education, and care for abandoned and vulnerable children, has faced structural and financial challenges for years. With the parish’s donation, the facility will now undergo a complete transformation: safe living spaces, renewed classrooms, improved facilities for meals and recreation, and a more dignified environment for both children and caregivers.
The act of channeling every euro raised toward this cause demonstrates the parish’s deep commitment to Carlo’s mission of charity. While Carlo was known for his love of the Eucharist and his devotion to prayer, he was equally recognized for his daily acts of kindness—helping classmates, aiding the poor, and showing tenderness to the forgotten. This orphanage project mirrors that same love for the marginalized.
Carlo’s Spirit Alive in Milan
For those who knew Carlo personally, this initiative is a vivid reminder of his heart. Even as a boy, he would go out of his way to share his pocket money with beggars, buy sleeping bags for the homeless, and defend those who were bullied. His faith was never abstract; it was always rooted in practical love. By choosing to invest in children without families, Santa Maria Segreta Parish ensures that his witness continues to inspire concrete acts of mercy in Milan today.
Moreover, this project emphasizes Carlo’s message that holiness is possible for everyone—even in ordinary life. By living simply, loving generously, and serving the vulnerable, one can reflect Christ’s presence in the world. The orphanage renovation stands as a visible, lasting testimony to this truth.
A Legacy for the Future
The renovated orphanage will not only improve the lives of its current residents but will also become a symbol of hope for generations to come. Every child who enters its doors will, in a sense, encounter the spirit of Saint Carlo Acutis—his generosity, his compassion, and his belief that true happiness is found in loving God and serving others.
In a city as modern and fast-paced as Milan, where technology, fashion, and business often dominate daily life, this initiative is a reminder that spiritual and human values remain at the heart of true progress. Just as Carlo used his computer skills to evangelize and spread devotion, his parish now uses its resources to build a better world for children in need.
Conclusion
The decision of Santa Maria Segreta Parish to donate all the funds collected during this historic period to the complete reconstruction and renovation of a Milan orphanage is much more than an act of charity. It is a profound tribute to the legacy of Saint Carlo Acutis. It translates his youthful love of God and neighbor into action, ensuring that his example continues to bear fruit in the city where he grew up.
Through this gift, Carlo’s message resounds once more: “Everyone is born an original, but many die as copies.” The parish has chosen originality by loving in a radical, Christ-centered way—building not only walls and roofs for an orphanage but also planting seeds of faith, hope, and love in the lives of countless children who will now have a brighter future.