Visit of Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis to Dunsford and Ardglass

The relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit St Nicholas’ Church Ardglass on 13th May 2024 and St Mary’s Church Dunsford 14th May 2024

Blessed Carlo Acutis was born in London to Italian parents but grew up in Milan where his family relocated when he was just a child. From a young age, he displayed an extraordinary devotion to his Catholic faith and attended Mass daily, regularly received the sacraments as well as developing a deep love for the Eucharist.

On 10th October 2020, he was beatified by Pope Francis, becoming the first millennial to be declared ‘Blessed’ by the Catholic Church.

The Church said that his beatification highlighted “the significance of his witness, particularly for the younger generation, demonstrating that holiness is attainable even in our modern world.”

The relic has travelled to Ireland this weekend from Assisi’s Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the Church where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ remains are housed and displayed. The church is located at the site where it is said that St. Francis of Assisi cast off his rich clothes and took up the poor habit. It was in Benburb Priory on Sunday 12th May

The relic is a first-class relic, meaning it is a piece of the body of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The relic in question is a piece of his pericardium, the fibrous membrane that encloses the heart and blood vessels.

Programme for the Relic of Blessed Carlo at St. Nicholas’ and St. Mary’s

9.30am Arrival of Relic to St. Nicholas’ Church Ardglass

9.35am Rosary in the Church.

10.00am Mass with Monsignor Figueiredo and Fr McCloskey PP

3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet

7.30pm Mass with Bishop of Down & Connor, Bishop Alan McGuckian S.J.

9.45pm Benediction followed by Closing ceremony and farewell.

There will be an opportunity to be blessed with the relic. Also, there will be an exhibition of Blessed Carlo’s life on display in the porch of the Church

The relic will depart St. Nicholas’ Ardglass and arrive next morning at St Mary’s Church Dunsford (two miles from Ardglass) where it will be available for veneration between 11.00am and 12 noon on Tuesday 14th May.

Everyone is welcome to come.

Blessed Carlo Acutis pray for us

For more information phone Meave at 07742 82001