Relic of Italian teen gamer who will canonised today, sought by several Goa churches

Panaji: As Pope Leo XIV canonises the teenaged Italian gamer and computer programmer, Blessed Carlo Acutis, on Sunday, a first-class relic — a strand of his hair — is in possession of the Capuchin friars in Goa and is being sought by various churches for veneration.

Acutis, who used modern technology to spread the Gospel, especially Eucharistic miracles, will become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.The Capuchins got a 1.4m life-size statue of the teenager — who died in 2006 at the age of 15 — made portraying him in his classic jeans and sneakersand a groove in the heart space where the relic and its case snuggly fit. The statue with the relic has been sent to churches in Margao, Sinquerim and Guirim, and is presently at Cavelossim.

From here it will be taken to the church at Caranzalem for veneration.Blessed Carlo Acutis is very relevant for the youth in today’s digital world,” provincial of the Capuchins in Goa, Fr Steve Rodrigues, told TOI. “He is a true model of holiness in our digital age. He was a gamer who enjoyed computer programming. He had an extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist, which he called his ‘highway to heaven’,” the provincial said.

“His life is an example for the youth of today on how to use technology and the internet wisely and responsibly.”“Since Blessed Carlo Acutis had a deep love and appreciation for St Francis of Assisi, who is our founder, we got our Capuchin friars in Italy to send the relic. He chose to be buried in Assisi and his remains lie in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in Assisi, run by our Capuchin friars. We authorised Fr Franky Fernandes OFM Cap., to bring the relic to our headquarters at Cuncolim around five years ago,” provincial of the Capuchins in Goa, Fr Steve Rodrigues, told TOI.A small garden at St Anne’s Church in Agonda has been dedicated to Acutis and decorated for the canonisation on Sunday. “We decided to do this to inspire and attract children and teenagers to the Blessed Sacrament chapel. Four of the miracles he published on his website have also been displayed in the garden. We have reminded the children who will attend mass on Sunday that it will be the day of his canonisation and they will be garlanding the statue,” said parish priest Fr Patrick Luis.Acutis used his programming skills to design a website documenting Eucharistic miracles that took place around the world. Earlier this year, St Sebastian Church at Aquem held an international exhibition on Eucharistic miracles consisting of 158 exhibits depicting over 100 miracles. At present, the exhibits are on display at the Holy Cross Church, Cavelossim.