As the Catholic Church celebrated the canonisation of Carlo Acutis in Rome on Sunday, the relic of the teenager continued to attract worshippers at Holy Cross Church, Cavelos-sim, where it is presently placed for veneration.
Parishioners gathered in large numbers to pray before the life-sized stat-ue that houses a strand of Acutis' hair. The Rosary was recited and Parish Priest Fr Ubaldo Fernandes ad-dressed the faithful, calling the moment "an extraordi-nary blessing for the com-munity".
The relic, brought to Goa by the Capuchin friars, has been moving through par-ishes across the State. After
being displayed in Margao, Sinquerim and Guirim, it is now at Cavelossim before its next stop at Caranzalem. Alongside the veneration, an exhibition on Eucharis tic miracles documented by Acutis is also on display at the church.
Speaking to the media,provincial of the Capuchins in Goa, Fr Steve Rodrigues, said the new saint was "a true model of holiness in the digital age."
Acutis died in 2006 at the age of 15. He was both a gamer and computer programmer but de-voted his talents to creating a website showcasing Eucharistic miracles worldwide. "His life shows young people today how to use technology and the internet wisely and responsibly," Fr Rodrigues noted.
The Capuchins secured the relic from Italy, as Acutis had a deep devotion to their founder St Francis of Assisi. He chose to be buried in Assisi, where his remains rest at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation. The Goa province authorized Fr Franky Fernandes, OFM Cap., to bring the relic to Cun-colim around five years ago.
Other parishes also marked the canonization with special observances. At Agonda, St Anne's Church created a garden dedicated to Acutis, decorated with displays of Eucharistic miracles to inspire children and teenagers. Parish priest Fr Patrick Luis explained that the initiative was meant to draw the youth closer to the Blessed Sacra-ment.
For the faithful in Cavelossim, gathering in prayer before the relic while the canonization unfolded in Rome was a way to feel part of the historic occasion. The atmosphere in the church was one of devotion and celebration, as Goa joined the universal Church in wel-coming its first millennial saint a young man whose legacy bridges the ancient traditions of faith with the digital realities of the modern world.