Shrine to St Carlo Acutis AT Holy Family Church, Ardfinnan

Learn More about St Carlo Acutis

Carlo was born in Fulham, London on May 3 1991.  His Italian family moved to Milan and  later he was an amateur website designer with a deep faith, especially in the Eucharist and the Rosary.

Carlo sadly died on October 12 2006 aged just 15 after suffering from leukaemia. 

Carlo was beatified on October 10, 2020 after the Vatican claims he interceded from heaven in 2013 to cure a Brazilian boy suffering from a rare pancreatic disease. The beatification ceremony took place in Assisi, the home of his idol Saint Francis, who dedicated his life to the poor, and where Carlos body now lies in repose in veneration of many pilgrims. 

There has been great interest in the Millennial Saint and the work he did in promoting Eucharistic Miracles and the way he lived his life, and death, in love of the Gospel.

Since then, Carlo was declared a saint at a Mass of Canonisation in St Peters Basilica in the Vatican by Pope Leo XIV, after being postponed from April 27th following the death of the late Pope Francis.

ST CARLO ACUTIS SHRINE AND STATUE IN ARDFINNAN CHURCH

Fr Michael Toomey, Parish Priest was at the Canonisation Mass, and also met that day with St. Carlo’s mother, Antonia Salzano, and the Acutis family including his father Andrea Acutis, and St. Carlo’s twin siblings who were born 4 years after his death, his sister Francesca and brother Michele, who read the First Reading at his brothers Canonisation earlier.

Fr Michael gave his mother a picture of the Shrine installed in Ardfinnan parish and thanked her for her sons witness to his faith, especially the Eucharist, and the legacy he has left and the inspiration he already has given to many around the world.

St Carlo’s mother presented Fr Michael with two Second Class Relics of her son (a piece of his clothing) to allow him to bring to schools, the sick, and those who wish to pray for St Carlo’s intercession.

A few days later, Fr Michael was asked to go to Assisi, where St Carlo’s body lies in repose in the church of St Mary Major. Here, he was presented with a First Class Relic by authorisation of the Bishop of Assisi, of the first millennial saint to be installed into the shrine in Ardfinnan Church.

In October 2024, a statue of Carlo Acutis was installed into a specially designed shrine in Holy Faily Church, Ardfinnan.

This First Class relic and the shrine which also houses the Second Class Relic presented by St Carlo’s mother were permanently installed into the Shrine in the Church of the Holy Family, Ardfinnan, at Mass on Sunday 12th October, St Carlo’s Feast Day, Celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. People attended the Mass from right across the country and beyond!

Parish Priest of Ardfinnan, Fr Michael Toomey said: “St. Carlo Acutis is a powerful example of faith for young people. Having his statue here and now his First Class and Second class Relics in our parish encourages people to come to the church from all over the Ireland. It makes the church a place to pray in a special way for young people who have been amazed at St. Carlos’ story and can easily connect to him because of similar interests they have particularly with computers, gaming, and football who can be seen reposing in Nike trainers, his jeans and sweatshirt” said Fr Michael.

The statue in Ardfinnan was made in Italy, and has Carlo depicting a games console, mobile phone and football, along with a shirt of his beloved football team A.C. Milan, and is in a specially designed shrine which has some history of him, along with some of the quotes of his love of the Eucharist. There is also a livestream showing his tomb which is being venerated from Assisi, and prayer cards and candles are also available for people who wish to use these. 

At the shrine there are leaflets and QR Codes to find out more about the life and legacy of St Carlo. Also a tablet which tells of St Carlo’s life and the Eucharistic miracles website he designed. Religious items and candles are also available for donations.

Parish Priest of Ardfinnan,  Fr Michael Toomey said: “Carlo is a powerful example of faith for young people. Having his statue here in our parish encourages young people to come to the church to pray and it makes the church place to pray for young people”.

Father Michael, who is also the chaplain of the High School in Clonmel, has talked about Carlo to many classes. “They have been amazed at Carlos story and can easily connect to him because of similar interests they have particularly with computers, gaming, and football”.

“What fascinates many of the students is that this soon to be Saint is reposing in Nike trainers, his jeans and sweatshirt, who loved computer games and had a passion for football. He makes this soon to be saint relevant to our young people today” Fr Michael said. 

ARDFINNAN CHURCH ON TV!