‘Millennial Saint’ relic touring Visayas churches

MANILA, Philippines — A relic of St. Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager canonized in 2025 and now known as the “Millennial Saint,” will be put on display for public veneration at some churches in the Visayas from Nov. 26 to Dec. 6.

It is the same relic — a portion of Acutis’ pericardium, or the membrane surrounding the heart — first brought to the country in late 2025 and hosted by 29 churches in Luzon during an 18-day pilgrimage.

This year’s pilgrimage is expected to include churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu and the dioceses of Bacolod, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, San Carlos and Romblon, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

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READ: Who is Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church’s new millennial saint?

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The final itinerary listing specific churches is yet to be announced.

Msgr. Anthony Figueredo, director for international affairs of the Diocese of Assisi in Italy, will be accompanying the relic as its official custodian.

An opportunity

The tour is being organized by the Association of Friends of St. Carlo Acutis-Philippines, headed by Franciscan priest Jerome Ponce, in coordination with the Diocese of Assisi, where the relic is housed.

CBCP president and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera endorsed the pilgrimage as an opportunity to promote spiritual renewal and evangelization, the CBCP said in a report posted on its website.

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“The life and witness of St. Carlo Acutis … continue to inspire many, especially the youth, toward a deeper relationship with Christ,” Garcera said, as he called on dioceses and parishes to welcome the relic and strengthen unity among Catholic communities.

First-class relic

On Oct. 16, the CBCP president visited Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, where he also celebrated Mass with Filipino priests based in Rome and with members of the Filipino community.

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The Acutic relic that is going on its second Philippine pilgrimage is considered “first-class,” being part of the physical remains of the saint.

Born in London and raised in Milan, Italy, St. Carlo Acutis was known for his deep Marian devotion and for using digital technology to document and promote Eucharistic miracles.

His road to sainthood formally started in 2013 during the time of Pope Francis upon the initiative of a group of priests and friends. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIV in September 2025.

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The Catholic Church designated Oct. 12—the day Acutis died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15—as his feast day. —Chelsy Claire Perez