Carlo Acutis Eucharist

Overview

Unit: Carlo Acutis: Faith in Action
Lesson: 3 of 4
Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 29 pupils
Age group: Year 6 (10–11 years)
Curriculum Link: Northern Ireland Curriculum – Religious Education
Theme: Exploring Carlo Acutis’ devotion to the Eucharist and understanding its significance in Catholic faith and daily life.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Explain the importance of the Eucharist within Catholicism, including its spiritual and communal significance. (RoI: Learning area - The Christian Faith)
• Describe how Carlo Acutis demonstrated his devotion to the Eucharist through his daily actions.
• Reflect on their own experiences and feelings about the Eucharist and share these meaningfully within a group.
• Develop empathy and personal connection with faith by relating Carlo’s example to their own lives.

Northern Ireland Curriculum Links:

• Strand: The Study of Religion and Belief
• Theme: Beliefs and Values; Practices and Ways of Life
• AT1 & AT2: Pupils will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Eucharist (AT1) and engage critically and reflectively (AT2) in discussion and reflection activities.
• Skills: Communication, Reflection, Critical Thinking, Empathy.

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Resources Needed

• PowerPoint presentation or printed visuals about Carlo Acutis and the Eucharist
• Bibles or printed Scripture excerpts (e.g., Last Supper accounts: Luke 22:19-20)
• Reflection worksheets for personal thoughts on the Eucharist
• Large paper/poster for group mind-map or discussion points
• Whiteboard and markers
• Quiet music or instrumental Christian hymns for reflection time (optional)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity: What is the Eucharist? (8 minutes)

• Begin by asking: "Can anyone share what the Eucharist means to them or their family?"
• Show visuals of the Eucharist and briefly introduce its meaning in the Catholic faith (bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ).
• Highlight the significance of the Eucharist as a source of spiritual nourishment and community unity.
• Link this introduction to Carlo’s love for the Eucharist, setting the context.

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge, connect pupil experience with faith topic.

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2. Main Teaching: Carlo Acutis’ Devotion (10 minutes)

• Share a concise story of Carlo Acutis focusing on his deep devotion to the Eucharist (e.g., his daily Mass attendance, his description of the Eucharist as his "highway to heaven").
• Use age-appropriate examples showing how faith motivated his actions (e.g., online catalogue of Eucharistic miracles).
• Read aloud or display Luke 22:19-20 to directly link Scripture to the Eucharist tradition.

Interactive element:

• Ask pupils to discuss in pairs: "Why do you think Carlo was so inspired by the Eucharist? How did it influence his life?"
• Gather answers to emphasise personal and spiritual impact.

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3. Reflection Activity: Personal Connection (12 minutes)

• Hand out reflection sheets with prompts:
  • “When have you experienced the Eucharist?”
  • “How does receiving the Eucharist make you feel?”
  • “What could you learn from Carlo about showing faith in your daily life?”
• Play soft instrumental music to create a reflective atmosphere.
• Pupils write or draw their thoughts quietly.
• Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections respectfully.

Purpose: Develop pupils’ capacity for personal faith reflection and deeper understanding.

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4. Group Discussion and Mind-Map (10 minutes)

• Facilitate a whole-class discussion using a large whiteboard or poster.
• Create a mind-map titled “Carlo Acutis and the Eucharist.”
• Invite pupils to contribute ideas about:
  • What the Eucharist means to Carlo
  • How Carlo showed his faith through the Eucharist
  • What they can learn or do inspired by Carlo’s example
• Encourage positive connections and respect for diverse viewpoints.

Assessment: Observe contributions and ability to link ideas showing AT2 (reflection and personal response).

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5. Plenary: Summary and “Faith in Action” Challenge (5 minutes)

• Recap key points:
  • Eucharist as central to Catholic faith and daily life
  • Carlo Acutis’ example as a faith role model
• Challenge pupils to think of one practical way they could show their own faith inspired by Carlo’s devotion (e.g., prayer, kindness, attending Mass).
• Ask pupils to share their challenge with a partner or write it on a post-it note to be displayed.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation during paired and group discussions.
• Written reflections to be reviewed for understanding of Eucharist and personal connection.
• Use feedback to inform next lesson on Carlo’s other expressions of faith and action.

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Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters or word banks for pupils who need support with reflection writing.
• Encourage higher ability pupils to link Carlo’s devotion to wider Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.
• Use visual and oral prompts to support pupils with literacy or EAL needs.

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Extension Ideas

• Create a digital or physical collage of images and quotes about Eucharist and Carlo Acutis.
• Write a letter to Carlo asking questions about his faith and devotion.
• Research Eucharistic miracles and present a short summary to the class.

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Reflection for Teacher

• Note pupil engagement with personal faith reflection.
• Evaluate effectiveness of the group discussion in fostering critical thinking.
• Consider collecting pupil feedback on what inspired them most for next lesson planning.

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This lesson plan ties directly into the Learning Area of Religious Education within the NI Curriculum by developing pupils’ understanding and personal engagement with key Christian beliefs as modelled by a contemporary figure, Carlo Acutis, enhancing empathy and reflective skills in line with expected progression for Year 6 learners.