Blessed Carlo Acutis relic coming to Darwin, Katherine with Vatican’s blessing

Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek have been chosen by the Vatican to host a holy relic concerning the world’s youngest, soon-to-be saint. Details.

A relic Blessed Carlo Acutis will be coming to the Territory. Picture: Supplied.

With the Vatican’s blessing, a holy relic will visit the Northern Territory, with the Bishop of Darwin calling on both Catholics and non-believers alike to check out an extraordinary piece of church history.

This month, a hair strand of the Blessed Carlo Acutis will be showcased in Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek as part of the Vatican’s Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles tour.

Acutis, who died in 2006, at age 15, from leukaemia, was an Italian teenager who is soon to be the Catholic Church’s latest Saint due to his canonisation process being approved by the Vatican.

Carlo Acutis will be the world’s youngest Saint once his canonisation process is completed.

Bishop of Darwin Charles Gauci said the arrival of the exhibition was a timely reminder holiness was “available to everyone”.

“Holy people are those who are fully alive, deeply connected with others, with life, and with God,” he said.

“Carlo Acutis embodied this in his life, and his response to Jesus’ call is a model for us all.”

Bishop Gauci said the Territory’s Aboriginal community mixed with Rome’s Latin-speaking visitors would bring a unique dimension to the tour.

“As we anticipate the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a young man who has already been recognised as Blessed, we are reminded that holiness is not reserved for a select few,” he said.

“Holiness is available to everyone, regardless of age or background – it is a universal call to all people, and with God’s grace, we can be healed, find our true selves, and live as holy individuals.”

Darwin City’s Star of the Sea Cathedral will host the holy relic and exhibition. Picture: Harry Brill.

Catholic events in the near-region are not restricted to the Top End this month, with Pope Francis touching down in East Timor after completing a tour of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Bishop Gauci and Bishop Eugene Hurley departed Darwin for Dili on Sunday, intent on meeting the Vatican leader.

A free event, the Vatican’s Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles tour will travel through Tennant Creek from September 14 to 15, Katherine from September 18 to 19 and Darwin City’s Star of the Sea Cathedral September 21 to 22.