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Fred Adler

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Carlo Acutis's Legacy of Holiness and Promotion of Eucharist Miracles

Posted by Fred Adler on March 20, 2024 at 5:14 PM

Blending Holiness and Hyperlinks: The Carlo Acutis Phenomenon

As the realm of faith and the domain of technology continue to intersect in unforeseeable ways, the life and legacy of Carlo Acutis emerge as a profound case study—a millennial who not only harnessed the power of the digital age but blended it seamlessly with his unwavering Catholic faith.

Born in the year of the first web page and baptized while the Internet was still a mere experimental project, Carlo Acutis seemed destined to play a unique role in integrating the divine with the digital. His story transcends the boundaries of geography and time, touching hearts on a global scale and defying conventional boundaries that often separate the sacred from the secular.

The Journey of Carlo Acutis: A Profile in Holiness and Hacking

Carlo's background tells a story of multiculturalism and devotion. Growing up in the vibrant city of Milan, Italy, the young prodigy was reared in a household that valued both heritage and faith. His infatuation with technology was as pronounced as his adoration for the Eucharist, and these seemingly disparate passions were threads interwoven in what would become a tapestry of spiritual innovation.

Infused with the spirit of Catholicism, Carlo's daily routine centered around his love for the Mass and his deep-seated belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Remarkably mature for his age, he publicly championed his faith, engaging in religious discussions with his peers and adults. His humility and intelligence were the anvil and hammer that shaped his spiritual identity—a young man who cherished holy communion as the ultimate source of grace and spiritual nourishment.

Carlo's introduction to the world of computers was, in many ways, providential. He possessed a remarkable talent for technology. Before the age of the internet, he constructed interactive multimedia from a back room in his home, transforming saints' lives into virtual exhibits that could inform and inspire.

Carlo Acutis: The Patron Saint of the Cyberworld

Carlo's digital pursuits were not devoid of a higher purpose. They were, in fact, deeply intertwined with his evangelistic zeal. At the age of 11, he expressed a desire to collaborate with God in writing his code and designing his graphics—a child-like articulation of an extraordinary calling.

His most notable project, a comprehensive and dynamic website that cataloged Eucharistic miracles, underscored his belief that the supernatural could be shared with the public through technology. In his eyes, the naysayers who viewed the digital realm as a weapon against faith were simply ignorant. For Carlo, cyberspace was a haven where the sacred and miraculous could be accessed by anyone with a connection.

The Miracle of Carlo Acutis and the Communion of Saints

The young 21st-century disciple of Christ faced the ultimate test when, at 15, he was diagnosed with leukemia. His approach to suffering was uncommonly mature. Carlo often said that “the more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”

His offering of pain and prayer was not in vain. A Brazilian boy, whose story Carlo had known and for whom he had prayed, became the beneficiary of a miraculous healing. The inexplicable recovery was the intercession that led to Carlo's beatification, positioning him as a beacon of hope to countless believers who now invoke his name with reverence and trust.

Carlo's beatification served as a clarion call to a new generation. It declared that sanctity is not exclusively the domain of antiquity—that the path to sainthood is open to the fervent heart, even in this era of pixels and data. It confirmed that the message of the Gospel could still transform hearts in an age of information saturation.

The Eucharist and the Ethics of Engagement

Carlo's beatification was a milestone not only for the Catholic Church but for society at large—a reminder that the ephemeral rush of digital experiences can coexist with the timeless serenity of the Eucharistic encounter.

For today’s society, characterized by an insatiable digital appetite, Carlo Acutis reveals the potential of technology to amplify the sacred. His legacy challenges the paradigms of online ethics—urging for content that nurtures the soul and elevates the collective conscience. With the dissemination of the Eucharistic miracles, Carlo’s work promotes a reverence for the divine that is both profound and accessible, underscoring the equilibrium that can be maintained between progress and piety.

The Call to Modern Holiness

Carlo Acutis compels us to reconsider holiness in the modern context. His all-too-brief life was a testament to the extraordinary that lies within the ordinary and the potential for greatness in the heart of youth. The message he leaves with us is bold and unfettered by time, culture, or creed: Engage the world, engage it wholeheartedly—but engage it for a higher purpose.

In a world that desperately needs examples of virtue, Carlo's example stands as a challenge to the sedentary soul, an invitation to a life that straddles both earth and heaven, a reminder that the extraordinary is often concealed in the mundane and the divine within the digital.

Conclusion: The Continuum of Carlo's Legacy

Carlo Acutis' legacy is not just a quaint anecdote or a medieval relic from a long-dead era. It is the saga of a soul set ablaze with the Holy Spirit, a narrative that continues to unfold in the hearts and actions of those inspired by his example. In an age where the superficial often eclipses the substantial, Carlo stands as a luminous counterpoint—a youthful saint whose message echoes across the centuries, resonating with those who refuse to divorce their faith from their daily lives.

The life and times of Carlo Acutis teach us that we are neither servants of nor slaves to the technology we create and consume. Instead, we are called to be its stewards, to use it not merely to pass the time but to sanctify it. Carlo's mission—rooted in the Eucharistic heart of the Church—is a clarion call to an entire generation, beckoning each soul to recognize and respond to the divine possibilities present in every click, every connection, and every creation.

As we reflect on Carlo's unprecedented beatification, we are invited to recognize the contours of a modern form of sanctity—the sanctity he not only cherished but advanced with profound commitment and unassuming wisdom. The transformation of Carlo Acutis from a young man who embraced the digital world to a saint who now occupies a unique place within the celestial firmament is not just a religious event; it is, in its own right, a technological breakthrough of the holiest kind. Sant’Carlo Acutis, pray for us.


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Topics: saints

Inventory Management - Your Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

Posted by Fred Adler on April 5, 2023 at 10:14 AM

Inventory management is a crucial aspect of running a successful retail store, and it can either be your best friend or worst enemy. With proper inventory management, you can save time and money, and ensure that you always have the right products in the right quantities at the right times.

To effectively manage your inventory, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

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Topics: Inventory Management

Consultative Selling vs. Bullying: How to Spot the Difference

Posted by Fred Adler on December 20, 2019 at 4:50 PM


As a retailer of religious goods, you rely heavily on your suppliers to ensure you get the products you need - and products that will sell. Building a strong relationship with your suppliers and their salesforce is a critical part of your success.

Have you ever asked yourself if your salesperson has your best interests in mind or are they just trying to land a big order?

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Topics: Religious Jewelry Retailers

Five Qualities of an Exceptional Religious Goods Supplier

Posted by Fred Adler on October 17, 2018 at 9:19 AM

When you run a religious goods retail business, you need a reliable supplier to work with and ensure you get the products you need. However, with the high cost of being in business, you still want to be as effective as possible to maintain your store’s profitability and grow your business.

While supplying quality products at a fair price is crucial, it isn’t all you should look for in a supplier. Whether you’re preparing to audit your existing supplier relationships or looking to find your next partner, here’s how to measure the performance of an exceptional religious goods supplier.

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Topics: domestic manufacturer, jewelry supplier, McVan Capabilities

7 Habits of Highly Successful Religious Retailers

Posted by Fred Adler on September 19, 2018 at 10:21 AM



Most people are familiar with the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. What if we could apply this knowledge to religious retail business? That's what we're going to do here!

As any business owner knows, success doesn't happen overnight. Rather, retailers must repeatedly apply core principles to achieve their goals. This has become especially important with the rapid shift of retail in the past decade. Consumer buying habits have evolved, with many people turning to online sources. While the religious gift shop industry is generally growing, the demographics and methods for reaching consumers will continue to change.

Fortunately, the core tenets of running a business are future-proof. Follow these 7 habits of highly successful retailers to improve customer service and grow your business for years to come: 

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Topics: Religious Jewelry Retailers, retail stores

Lower Retail Store Operation Costs the Right Way

Posted by Fred Adler on August 15, 2018 at 9:45 AM

Many of our retail partners have voiced their concerns about store spending. Logically, reducing spending seems like a simple way to lower business expenses. However, cutting costs in the wrong places can harm your customer experience, which damages your business's reputation. Thankfully, it’s possible to avoid these pitfalls and set your store up for success – smart spending is the key.

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Topics: Religious Jewelry Retailers, retail stores

How to Sell Slow Moving Inventory and Unsold Merchandise

Posted by Fred Adler on April 3, 2018 at 9:39 AM

“Slow moving inventory” might be every retailer’s least favorite phrase. Most retail stores have been faced with unsold merchandise at one point or another. Many retailers perform their due diligence with market research and sales forecasts, but still end up with unsold inventory. Over the years we've gained a fair amount of knowledge from our religious retail partners. Today, we'll shine the light on how to sell slow moving inventory.

With religious products, many retailers purchase too many products around the holiday season. Your store's excess product can cause a slow down in cash flow, a lack of prime shelf space, and result in the lost opportunity cost of showcasing more popular items. Online retailers have the same issues, which can lead to a storage room filled to the brim with unsold merchandise.

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Topics: Religious Jewelry Retailers, retail stores

Top Suppliers of Wholesale Religious Products

Posted by Fred Adler on December 1, 2015 at 10:39 AM

While we here at McVan pride ourselves on being the best supplier of wholesale religious products, such as gifts, jewelry and memorabilia. We do understand that there are other manufacturers out there that do quality work as well. We’re never shy about telling our customers – or potential customers – about these other makers of religious goods when we’re asked, because like we said, we’re all in this business together. And certainly if our customers or potential customers can’t find the product that they’re looking for from us, we want them to be able to find it from someone else – it’s only right.

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Topics: Retailer Knowledge Sharing Series, Religious Jewelry Retailers, retail stores

Lifetime Warranty & Return Policy on McVan's Jewelry Items

Posted by Fred Adler on March 9, 2015 at 11:14 AM

Nothing dictates the success of your business more than the products you stock your store shelves with. Yes, your products are a reflection of your overall business, so it's only natural for you to want to provide the best to your customers. At McVan, we not only provide the best religious jewelry and memorabilia, which are made from long-lasting and high-quality materials, but we'll also stand behind these products 100 percent with our Lifetime Warranty and Return Policy so you can have peace of mind that your customers will always be taken care of in the event that something happens to one of their pieces.

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