Although St. Carlo Acutis loved video games, he limited himself to one hour per week in order to preserve time for more important things, like prayer and time with friends and family.
The “Carlo Fast” is based on this choice he made. Participating in a Carlo Fast during Advent or Lent means limiting yourself to one hour per week of recreational screen time during the liturgical season.
Screen time that is necessary for school or work is okay. Family movie night is also an exception.
We recommend issuing this challenge to people of all ages in your school and parish!
Advent challenge
It can be a great idea to offer participants ideas for what to do with their screen-free time. One way that some of our chapters do this is by using “Advent Bingo” cards.
First, people commit to the Carlo Fast. Then, they receive an Advent Bingo card (kid version, adult version) with ideas for fun activities to do while they are screen-limited. When they make a “Bingo” row on the card, they can pick up a slip of pink or purple (Advent colors) paper to add to a paper chain that will decorate the Carlo Trees.
Here is some sample language to invite your parish to participate in the Advent challenge. This text can also be printed on the backs of the Advent Bingo cards.
We recommend handing out the Advent Bingo cards in school as well as through the parish faith formation classes.
Lent challenge
The Lent challenge can look similar to the Advent challenge, or mix it up! Instead of doing the Bingo cards, some of our chapters partner together. They make and share two videos: one just before Lent starts and one after Easter.
The first video, fast-paced and fun, features students of all ages (and representing each participating school/parish community) who will be participating in the Carlo Fast. The kids explain how the Carlo Fast works and enthusiastically invite other kids to join. They can also say briefly why they personally are doing the fast. Get a few adults – priests, teachers, administrators, parents – to participate as well. Explain that multiple communities will be uniting to do this together. Share this video widely within the participating communities.
Make a form or some kind of sign-up sheet – only as a way of helping people commit. Kids should have a way to sign up during school, either during class, during lunch/recess, and/or some other way (example: take over a bulletin board).
After Easter, make and share another fun video, again featuring students and a few adults from all participating communities. Let them share how it went, what they learned, what they found extra time for when they were screen-limited, what may have surprised them, and whether they would do it again!
St. Carlo Parent Network 
