Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis to visit Mayo's Marian Shrine

THE relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit Knock Shrine this Friday, September 15.

In June, the relic travelled to Ireland from the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, Assisi, and visited the Archdiocese of Armagh and Diocese of Down and Connor. In August, thousands of young people venerated the relic at World Youth Day in Lisbon, where Blessed Carlo happens to be one of the patrons of this global youth gathering.

The pilgrimage of the holy relic to Ireland will continue every three months until all 26 dioceses on the island have had an opportunity to offer it locally for devotion.

Accompanying the fragment of the pericardium relic, the membrane that protected his heart, will be Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, head of International Relations, and Sister Alessandra Rusca, Chancellor of the Diocese of Assisi.

Large crowds are expected in Knock for the visit of the relic, with Mass to be celebrated in the basilica at 12 noon and 3 p.m. by Archbishop Sorrentino. Rosary is at 2 p.m. and again at 4.45 p.m., with holy hour at 5 p.m.

An exhibition of his life will be on display at St. John’s Rest & Care Centre, and the launch will take place of a new book by Monsignor Figueiredo: 'Blessed Carlo Lights the Fire for Ireland'. The book will consist of the history of our Irish faith, where we are today and how Blessed Carlo can intercede. The life of Carlo will be included with his 'Five Steps to Heaven', his prayer for canonisation and a Hymn to Carlo.

The relic will depart Knock for St. Anne’s Church, Sligo where it will be on display on Saturday, September 16, followed by a visit to Newry Cathedral on Sunday.

Already this month there has been a lot of discussion amongst the faithful, and in the media, specifically RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline, about the significance of the relic of Blessed Carlo to the faith lives of young people.

Blessed Carlo Acutis is the first millennial to be beatified. Known ‘as the kid in jeans and sneakers,’ he died of leukaemia at just 15 years of age in 2006.

Blessed Carlo had a passion for holiness, focusing his life on the Eucharist in order to grow in his relationship with Jesus: ‘The more we receive the Eucharist,’ he said, ‘the more we will become like Jesus.’ Carlo tried to attend Mass every day and spend time in prayer at Eucharistic Adoration, believing that ‘when we put ourselves before Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints’.