A first-class relic of St. Carlo Acutis, a significant artifact within the Catholic Church, is scheduled to arrive in central Ohio this week. The relic, a fragment of the saint’s pericardium – the membrane surrounding the heart – will tour parishes within the Diocese of Columbus from February 13 through February 18 as part of a larger procession across Ohio.
A Millennial Saint’s Journey
St. Carlo Acutis, born in 1991, is recognized as the first millennial saint. He was canonized on September 7, 2025, after a life marked by deep religious devotion and a unique embrace of modern technology. Before his death from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 16, Acutis created a website dedicated to cataloging Eucharistic miracles.
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus emphasized the importance of this visit, particularly for young people. “It’s very exciting to have the pericardium relic of St. Carlo Acutis in our diocese,” Fernandes said. “The example he set for the youth of our faith is palpable, and the relic itself represents the heart that St. Carlo had for Jesus and the Eucharist, but also the heart that Jesus has for all of those in His flock.”
Tour Schedule and Public Access
The Diocese of Columbus, which oversees nearly 500,000 Catholics across 23 counties, has announced specific opportunities for the public to view and venerate the relic. Stops are scheduled for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville on Monday, February 16, and the St. Thomas More Newman Center on the Ohio State University campus on Wednesday, February 18, coinciding with Ash Wednesday.
The relic’s journey began in the Diocese of Toledo and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati before arriving in Columbus on Friday, February 13. A complete schedule of tour stops and additional information about the relic’s history can be found at columbuscatholic.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a relic?
In the Catholic tradition, a relic is an object associated with a saint, such as a part of their body, or an object they used. A first-class relic is a physical part of a saint’s body.
Who was St. Carlo Acutis?
St. Carlo Acutis was born in 1991 and is known as the first millennial saint. He developed a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles before dying of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 16. He was canonized on September 7, 2025.
Where can I find more information about the relic’s tour?
A full schedule of the relic’s tour stops and further details on its history are available at columbuscatholic.org.
How might this visit impact faith communities in central Ohio?
