Relic from the body of a beatified teenager will visit four Irish dioceses this week

A relic from the body of a beatified teenager who is expected to be canonised as a saint will be presented at four dioceses across Ireland this week. 

The relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis - who was beatified by the Pope in 2020 - travelled to Ireland from Assisi in June and visited the Archdiocese of Armagh, and the Diocese of Down and Connor, with the pilgrimage set to continue every three months to visit all 26 dioceses on the island. 

The relic in question is said to be a piece of Carlo's pericardium, the fibrous membrane that encloses the heart and blood vessels. 

In August, thousands of young people venerated the relic at World Youth Day in Lisbon, of which Carlo was a patron.

The pilgrimage of the relic will continue from 13 to 18 September, where it will visit the following four dioceses: Saint Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry, on 14 September; the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine of Knock in the Archdiocese of Tuam on 15 September; Saint Anne’s Church in Sligo in the Diocese of Elphin for the Abide Eucharistic Conference on 16 September; and the Cathedral of Saint Patrick & Saint Colman in Newry Diocese of Dromore on 17 September.

It will then return to Assisi on 18 September. 

Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, Head of International Relations, and Sister Alessandra Rusca, Chancellor of the Diocese of Assisi, will all accompany the relic during the pilgrimmage.

According to Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, who is the Bishop of Assisi, Nocera Umbra, Gualdo Tadino and Foligno, “We are happy that a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis can reach four more dioceses in Ireland as, we are convinced, given previous experiences, that devotion to this young man, who lived according to the Gospel, is an example and a help to the Church and to the many young people who are seeking points of reference to grasp the beauty of faith". 

Carlo 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. 

He reportedly had a passion for his faith and created a website chronicling miracles around the world. 

He reportedly said, "The more we receive the Eucharist, 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". 
 
The visit of the holy relic will include the launching of a new book, Blessed Carlo Acutis: Light the Flame of Faith, by Monsignor Figueiredo, written specifically for Ireland, and a CD of a song composed in his honour.

The programme for the relic for its visit to each location can be viewed on each individual diocesan website. 

Carlo is expected to be canonised, making him one of the youngest Catholics ever to become a saint and the first member of his generation.