By Tina Lanigan

Fr Pontius Bandua, the parish priest of The Most Holy Sacrament and St Osburg, welcomed the first class relic of St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, from Wednesday 11 March until Saturday 14 March. 

Anna Johnstone, the former governess to the siblings of St Carlo visited St Osburg's primary school, Our Lady of the Assumption primary school, St Ann's primary school and the Holy Family primary school with the first class relic, reaching over 700 children. 

There were three days of public veneration after visiting the school children, and 30 panels of the eucharistic miracles exhibition that St Carlo Acutis himself researched and created in his short life were exhibited throughout the event. 

Pilgrims gathered and queued to venerate and pray before the relic and spent time reading through his wonderful exhibition. It was truly a holy, blessed and inspiring event for the parish, the schools and indeed all pilgrims. 

Fr Pontius said: “We have been blessed as a parish for having the first class relic of St Carlo Acutis which has brought many blessings to the parish. A much greater number than usual have been to confession which is truly a sign of renewal. 

"I would like to thank all those that helped to organise and contributed to this event which has been a wonderful experience for both our parish and school.” 

St Osburg's parish website

St Carlo Acutis

Photo Gallery by Con McHugh