VIDEO: Blessed Carlo Acutis comes to Manchester as the ‘millennial saint’ draws pilgrims of all ages

A video report from BBC North West Tonight highlights the impact of the relic of the heart of Blessed Carlo Acutis being brought to St Anthony’s Church in the Manchester area.

The video captures the emotions and responses of those who came to honour a future saint known as “God’s influencer” – and who will become the first saint of the so-called Millennial generation – as well as of the organisers behind the special event.

The relic was brought to Wythenshawe, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, for four days of public prayer, veneration and devotion from 20-23 September.

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Blessed Carlo, who was born in London to Italian parents, died from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He is set to become the youngest non-martyred saint after the two shepherd children who experienced the Fatima apparitions: Francisco Marto, who died aged 10, and Jacinta Marto, who died aged 9.

He is often referred to as “God’s influencer” because he dedicated himself to spreading devotion of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist through social media and a website he designed himself.

His relic, which is kept in an ornate reliquary, had attracted more than 2,000 pilgrims by Saturday 21 September.

With large numbers also expected through Sunday and Monday, 22-23 September, it is estimated that more than 5,000 people will make the pilgrimage to the relic.

In a homily preached during Mass at St Anthony’s Church, the Bishop of Shrewsbury said all people are called to be saints like Blessed Carlo, noting the words of both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis:

“As Pope Benedict declared, ‘whoever wants to eliminate love is preparing to eliminate man’ – for humanity cannot live without love, divine love,” Bishop Mark Davies said.

“This led Pope Francis to reflect the only real tragedy in a human life is that we fail to become a saint, to reach the perfection of love like the 15-year-old Carlo Acutis.”

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Photo: A baby points to the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis at St Anthony’s Church. (Photo by Simon Caldwell.)

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