Nine months ago, the first millennial saint was canonised. St Carlo Acutis has since become widely venerated, not least because his life speaks so directly to the experience of contemporary Catholics.
Born and baptised in London to an Italian family, he later moved to Milan, where he received his First Holy Communion. From an early age, he showed a profound devotion to the Eucharist, which he described as his “highway to Heaven”.
Carlo employed his aptitude for technology in the service of evangelisation, creating a website dedicated to documenting Eucharistic miracles from around the world. His intention was to foster a deeper love for the Blessed Sacrament.
As he famously observed: “If we stand in front of the sun, we become tanned; but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints.”
The work he began during his lifetime has continued to bear fruit and indeed to expand since his canonisation.
In 2024, Paul Pegden, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, Saltburn, had a profound experience received through the intercession of St Carlo Acutis, igniting a passionate devotion for then beatified teen.
More recently, Paul has been entrusted with the role of custodian of a set of exhibition banners, which present a selection from the St Carlo Acutis International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles.
The exhibition is now available on loan to parishes and groups throughout the Diocese of Middlesbrough and beyond. It seeks to deepen understanding of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and to encourage greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
It comprises 20 roller banners presenting information on Eucharistic miracles from across the world, as documented by St Carlo Acutis.
The banners may be displayed either in a parish hall or within the body of the church. Paul will arrange delivery and assist with their installation.
Parishes interested in hosting the exhibition are invited to make contact via carloacutisfaith@hotmail.com.
Nicola Sweetman
Adult Formation Coordinator
