An artefact related to a teenager soon to be recognised as the first saint of the 21st century by the Catholic Church vanished whilst on exhibit at the Ratheniska Ploughing Championships in the County of Laois the previous week. Those viewing the event were able to see a small black case containing a strand of Blessed Carlo Acutis’s hair at Vocations Ireland’s stand. The relic was transported there by Capuchin clergyman, Fr Bryan Shortall, and displayed alongside relics of St Padre Pio with the intent of drawing in more individuals towards a religious life.
Fr Shortall had a recollection of the disappearance of the relic, stating that it vanished after he placed it next to the St Padre Pio mitten to bless people at the stand. According to him, someone might have picked it up. To address the situation, a security officer recommended making an announcement on social media and speaking to the Midlands 103 local station, both of which he did, but the relic is still unaccounted for.
Carlo Acutis, known for being a potent influence on religious matters, passed away from leukaemia at the age of 15 in 2006. He is destined to become the first saint of the millennial era in the Catholic Church following a confirmation of a second miracle performed through his intercession, which was needed for his canonisation. This event is supposed to take place in the coming year. Born in London in 1991, Acutis was a child prodigy in technology, having helped disseminate Catholic doctrines online before his untimely demise.
Fr. Shortall shed light on why relics are venerated, comparing it to owning something that had belonged to celebrities like Ronaldo, Messi or Taylor Swift. His reasoning stems from their intimate bond with a person believed to now be in close proximity to God. If the missing relic is located, he has pleaded for it to be taken back to him at the Capuchin Friary on Church Street in Dublin, where he presides over the Padre Pio Apostolate.
In related news, relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes were showcased at Our Lady of Victories Church in Ballymun last Friday. These mostly comprise bone fragments ensconced in a reliquary, which arrived in Ireland on September 4th and will tour all 26 dioceses of the Catholic Church on the island before making their way back to Lourdes at the beginning of November.