Inspired by the life of the “cyber-apostle of the Eucharist,” Colombian artist Sebastián Sánchez has created a monument in honor of Carlo Acutis.
The work portrays the new saint as a friendly and humble young man, reminding us that holiness is built on everyday life.
The sculpture was installed in the parish of La Inmaculada and the Sanctuary of Fray Leopoldo in Granada, Spain, and will be blessed on September 7, 2025 – the same day as Carlo Acutis’ canonization, along with the placement of a relic of his hair.
Sánchez, a Colombian painter and sculptor based in Spain, has more than 15 years of experience in sacred art. Speaking to ChurchPOP, he recalled that it was Friar Ismael of the Capuchin community who first expressed the desire to have a statue of Carlo Acutis in his parish.
After studying the life of the young blessed, who will be canonized on September 7, 2025, the artist decided to design a work that would reflect Carlo’s spirituality through the simplicity of daily life.
“I thought, what if we make it a little more casual? Not lying down, because that feels a bit gloomy; I wouldn’t want to do it standing either, because that feels unreachable. So, I imagined Carlo in his everyday life—sitting on his bed without shoes, working on his laptop, socializing with friends, browsing the web, and also carrying out his digital research project on Eucharistic miracles,” he explained.
The monument took nearly a year to complete: four months of research and design, followed by six months of production.
A Monument Full of Symbols
The sculpture is rich with symbols that highlight Carlo’s spirituality. The computer represents his tool of evangelization; the screen displays the Eucharistic Miracles website he created, and on the back is the Tau cross, a sign of his closeness to Franciscan spirituality.
“Alongside Carlo, I placed some books that represent personal biblical and doctrinal study, and on top of them, the rosary—evoking formation and prayer as paths of growth in faith.”
The circular background and the table together form the shape of a chalice and host, recalling the centrality of the Eucharist in Carlo’s life. Finally, one of his most famous phrases was included: “It is not I, but God,” as a symbol of humility and weakness—precisely where God becomes strong.
For Sánchez, all of these elements invite reflection on how each person uses the resources God has given them.
“Seeing this monument, one realizes that he really is a young man like all of us, but one who offered his gifts as an example of prayer, communion, and openness to the Spirit, living out the works of mercy at home and beyond,” he said.
Carlo Acutis’ Impact on the Artist
The sculptor admitted he felt personally connected to Carlo’s life, especially his youthful experience of faith.
“Since I was 14, I’ve lived parish life through the various pastoral projects I was able to join. Like many young people, we didn’t want to leave the parish. So, I recognize the joy Carlo Acutis had in serving and giving himself.”
What marked him most, however, was Carlo’s testimony in the midst of suffering.
“Faith doesn’t change reality, but it changes how we live it. He understood this perfectly and used his weakness to become strong in Christ. It challenges me and makes me ask myself how many times I’ve doubted, how many times I’ve lacked faith.”
For Sánchez, the clearest message Carlo offers this generation is that holiness is a universal call.
“Holiness is built on the ordinary. Some people dismissively say, ‘Today, anyone is a saint.’ And yes—that’s the point. It’s a joy for the Church.”
Art as a Path of Evangelization
Sánchez explained that his love for art and his Catholic faith were family legacies.
“When I decided to become a professional artist, I was already part of the parish community as a member of the music ministry and a confirmation catechist. So I drew on my faith experience as inspiration for my works, making them a tool of evangelization that brought together my catechetical and artistic training,” he said.
Over the years, he has taken part in several evangelization projects. At World Youth Day Panama 2019, he participated in “Adoremus,” an abstract painting exhibition that sought to show “the spiritual process of reaching true worship of God—passing through difficulties and spiritual dryness until the grace of God’s manifestation in our lives.”
He also contributed to the “Pilgrim Mary of the World” exhibition at WYD Lisbon 2023, where he presented 32 watercolors of Marian devotions from around the world to help young people grow closer to the Virgin Mary.
With the monument to Carlo Acutis, the artist hopes to continue placing his gifts at the service of faith and prays that God will continue to use him as an instrument.
“Every day, I hope to continue being blessed with the gift of being an instrument of God through my hands, obedient to what He asks of me. I trust I can keep carrying out evangelizing work for the Church, especially for young people,” he concluded.