Relic of ‘Millennial Saint’ set for Kildare

A RELIC from a saint canonised only last year is to go on display in the Church of Our Lady and St Joseph in Caragh, at 6.30pm on Thursday 19 November, and the chief celebrant will be Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

Born in London in 1991 to wealthy, non-observant Italian parents, Carlo Acutis grew up in Milan and developed his Catholicism from his maternal grandparents and a Polish nanny.

His life was one of ordinary teenage interests, such as computers, sport and spending time with friends, leading to his postulator (official guide towards canonization) Nicola Gori to describe Acutis as “the first Millennial Saint”.

Having been diagnosed with leukaemia on 9 October 2006, Carlo died a few days later on 12 October at just 15 years of age.

Following the miraculous cure of Mattheus, a young Brazilian boy from annular pancreas in 2013, who prayed to Carlo, he was raised to the glory of the Altars (beatified) by Pope Francis in 2020.

A second attributed miracle in 2022, in which a 21 year old girl Valeria from Costa Rica, was healed from a severe head trauma following a bicycle accident, after her mother went on a pilgrimage to pray at Carlo's grave. Carlo’s canonisation by Pope Leo XIV took place on 7 September 2025.

The opportunity to display the relic – a lock of Saint Carlo’s hair displayed in a monstrance - follows a journey to Assisi in September by Fr Ruairí Ó Domhnaill, parish priest in Newbridge, and Caragh's Fr Joe McDermott, to retrieve the relics and accompany them on their journey to Ireland.

“Their pilgrimage marks a significant moment for the local faith community, bringing a tangible connection with the life and witness of one of the Catholic Church’s most inspiring modern saints,” said a spokesperson for the Caragh parish.

“The celebration will provide an opportunity for parishioners and visitors from across the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and beyond to gather in prayer, honour the memory of St Carlo, and seek his intercession.

“Those attending will also have the opportunity to receive a blessing with his relics.

“St Carlo’s witness carries a timely message for people of every age, that holiness is not reserved for a distant past or for those who live extraordinary lives.

“It is possible in the everyday circumstances of family life, friendship, education, work and parish community, when these are lived with faith, generosity and love for Christ.

“His particular appeal to young people lies in the way he embraced the modern world without losing sight of what matters most.

“Carlo demonstrated that technology along with friendship and the ordinary experiences of adolescence can become opportunities to share the Gospel and draw others towards Jesus Christ.

“It is hoped that this significant event will deepen devotion to the Eucharist, encourage young people in their faith and inspire the wider community to follow St Carlo’s example of placing Christ at the centre of daily life”.