A relic of the first millennial to be beatified, a teenager who loved Pokemon and his PlayStation and admired Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has made another visit to Ireland, with thousands seeking its blessing in Co Down alone.
It is the fifth time that the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who was 15 when he died from leukaemia in 2006, has come to Ireland.
The Italian teenager was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020, a recognition which highlighted “the significance of his witness, particularly for the younger generation, demonstrating that holiness is attainable even in our modern world”.
A miracle involving the cure of a medical problem for a young Brazilian was ascribed to Carlo’s intervention, the Pope said. On Thursday the Vatican confirmed that a second miracle has now been attributed to him – involving the cure of a young woman from Costa Rica who had suffered a head injury - meaning he will become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.
The relic, which visited Benburb Priory near Dungannon and the Parish of Dunsford and Ardglass in the Diocese of Down and Connor, is categorised in Church parlance as ‘first-class’, meaning it is a piece of his body - in this case from his pericardium, the fibrous membrane that encloses the heart and blood vessels.
Fr Gerry McCloskey, parish priest of Dunsford and Ardglass, said “well over 5,500 people” had attended.
“Despite the heavy downpours, the rain didn’t prevent long lines of people waiting to be blessed by the relic of this young teenager,” he said.
“The huge numbers of those wanting to venerate show that devotion to this young saint is increasing as many favours are being received through his intercession.”
