Holy Cross Tralee is honoured to hold two first-class relics of Saint Carlo Acutis. In November 2024 Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, who serves in the Diocese of Assisi, visited Holy Cross with a first-class heart relic of then Blessed Carlo. In acknowledgement of the depth of the response locally during his visit, Monsignor Anthony, as custodian of the heart relic, gifted a first-class ex capillis relic to Holy Cross Tralee. In the weeks that followed, Carlo's mother Antonia came to know of the warmth with which her son's relic was received in Holy Cross, thus prompting her to gift another first-class relic to Holy Cross in the spring of 2025. This relic, ex linteo imbuto humoris corporis Caroli Acutis, is a piece of cloth which was used by Antonia to wipe Carlo's brow in the final stages of his illness.
View Photos of November 2024 Visit
A monthly Mass in honour of Saint Carlo commenced in the first month after Monsignor Anthony's visit, with individual blessings with the relic taking place after Mass each month. Over the past year, twelve visiting preachers have been invited to celebrate this very special monthly Mass at Holy Cross, each sharing their insights into different aspects of Carlo's life and his path to Sainthood.
The congregation has been uplifted by the visits and homilies of Prior Provincial Fr John Harris OP, Fr David Walker OP, Fr Philip Mulryane OP, Fr Seamus Tuohy OP, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, Fr Michael Dunleavy OP, Fr Patrick Desmond OP, Fr Fabio Alexis Sanchéz OP, Fr Conor McDonough OP, Fr Joe O'Brien OP, Fr John Walsh OP, Fr Eoin Casey OP and Fr Damian Polly OP.
A beautifully crafted shrine dedicated to Saint Carlo is in place in Holy Cross and fittingly, given Carlo's dedication to the Virgin Mary as his beloved Mother, the shrine is located beside the altar to Our Lady of Fatima. The two first-class relics sit either side of a striking depiction of Carlo, painted by student Áine Newsome of Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, Tralee and gifted to Holy Cross in celebration of the arrival of the relic in November 2024. The shrine wonderfully blends old mahogany from disused furniture, an acknowledgement of Pope Francis' call for the protection and care of earth's resources.
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The blessing of the shrine by Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo and Prior Provincial Fr John Harris OP took place on Monday 19th January during the monthly Mass in honour of Saint Carlo. On his third visit to Holy Cross, Monsignor Figueiredo's homily about Carlo's path to sainthood was again deeply inspiring, emphasising how we all can follow a simple roadmap towards holiness - the holiness of saints. Monsignor Anthony encouraged everyone to visit the shrine regularly.
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The Monthly Mass in honour of Saint Carlo takes place on the third Monday of every month at 7:30pm. The next Mass shall take place on Monday 16th March and will be celebrated by Fr Joseph Bulman OP. Please note this Mass will also be the vigil Mass of the Solemnity of Saint Patrick. Mass times for Tuesday 17th March are available here.