WHO: Blessed Carlo Acutis, born on May 3, 1991, and died on October 11, 2006, at the age of 15, responsible for the creation of the exhibit
WHAT: A public exhibit generated by the Vatican but devised by a beatified youth and completed in 2005. (See the description below.)
WHERE: Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Saratoga Road (Route 50), Glenville, NY 12302
WHEN: February 15 through February 20, 2024.
Exhibit hours:
Thursday Feb 15 noon to 5 pm
Friday Feb 16 Noon to 6 pm
Saturday Feb 17 Noon to 8 pm
Sunday Feb 18 10 am to 6 pm
Monday Feb 19 Noon to 6 pm
Tuesday Feb 20 Noon to 3 pm
DESCRIPTION: The Vatican International Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles covers more than 100 miracles recognized by the Church. These miracles happened in 19 different countries, from 1194 to 2013 and involve 20 different Saints. The exhibit contains an extensive assortment of photos and historical descriptions on 187 panels. The exhibit took more than 2 ½ years to complete. The person who devised and planned the exhibit was just 13 years old when it was completed. Blessed Carlo Acutis has been beatified. This is the first step toward sainthood.
The exhibit is being sponsored by the three-parish family of Immaculate Conception in Glenville, Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake, and St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia.
The exhibit will arrive at Immaculate Conception Church on Thursday morning, February 15 where parish volunteers will join with the team accompanying the exhibit. The exhibit will be set and ready for public viewing at noon.
Interested news organizations can contact Kathy Barrans at the Albany Catholic Diocese Communications Office at 518-801-2771 for more information.
BACKGROUND: Carlo Acutis’ family moved from London, England to Italy when he was just 4 months old. Carlo was a normal boy. He did the things that all kids do today: he wore Nike shoes, loved sports, was tech-savvy, played with friends and led a similar life to his peers. His big difference – at the center of each day he put his encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist at mass and daily adoration through mass.
When he wasn’t in school, he helped the homeless and destitute. He admired the Franciscans, loved nature, and had 2 cats, four dogs and fish in an aquarium at home. His parish priest described him as exceptionally transparent, wanting to progress in love for his parents, God, and his classmates. He was interested in computer science and used his skills to create a website in 2002 with the help of his family. The Vatican International Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles stemmed from his determined efforts, and it took 2½ years to complete. It was finished in 2005.
He died from Leukemia in 2006 and was beatified on October 10, 2020, at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy. His feast day is October 12, the date of his death at age 15. He is on his way to become the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Two first-class religious relics are coming with the exhibit. They will be placed on exhibit for veneration. One is of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and another is of St. Manual Gonzalez Garcia. The theca of Blessed Carlo's relics has four sections - two 1st class relics (hair and skin) and two 2nd class relics (clothing and part of his coffin). St. Manuel's relic is bone (1st class).
Relics are objects that have a direct association with the saints or with Our Lord. Through Scripture we learn that God acts through relics, most notably to heal and perform miracles. The most important thing to remember is that God causes miracles, not the object. Relics are not magical sources of power unto themselves. God uses relics connected to saints for His Works. He points to saints as models and intercessors. And He uses relics to tell us that one day his faithful children, members of His Body, will reign with him in Glory.
https://evangelist.org/news/2024/jan/24/a-real-hero/
https://evangelist.org/news/2024/jan/24/a-love-for-the-eucharist/