The visit of the relics forms part of preparations for the 100th Anniversary of the Cork Eucharistic Procession.

A Mass to welcome the relics to the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne took place this morning.

People have been making their way to the North Cathedral throughout the day to venerate the relics of the first millennial saint.

Veneration of the relics continues today until 10pm in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne.

Tomorrow, the relics of St Carlo Acutis will be in Ss Peter and Paul's in the City Centre. There will be a special Mass at 7am for those running in the Cork City Marathon.

Luke Cantillon-Murphy venerates the relic of St Carlo Acutis

The relics arriving to St. Patrick's Cathedral Skibbereen

Over a thousand participated the Welcome Mass this evening in St Patrick’s Cathedral Skibbereen.

There was great excitement in Skibbereen as the relics arrived under garda escort, with the First Holy Communion children forming a guard of honour.

The packed Cathedral gathered in prayer and celebration for what was a deeply moving and historic occasion for the parish and wider diocese as Skibbereen Cathedral celebrates its bicentenary this year.

In his homily, Bishop Fintan spoke of St Carlo’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist and how we can be guided by his example as we prepare for the 100th Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession.

Primary schools from across the diocese were invited to bring their students to the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield, and Christ Our Light in Ballincollig to venerate the relics of St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.

Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo, custodian of St Carlo’s relics, spoke to the students about the young saint’s life. He explained how Carlo enjoyed soccer and video games while also having a deep love for Jesus and the Eucharist. St Carlo described daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration as his “highway to heaven” and encouraged others to discover that active participation in the faith brings true fulfilment and happiness. Monsignor Anthony suggested that this is why St Carlo is such a good role model and witness to help us prepare for our own 100th Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession.

Students in the Cathedral of St Mary and Anne

Mikey and Felicity were in Glanmire Parish speaking as Masses over the weekend

40 of the Cork and Ross mission team were in over 20 parishes this weekend speaking at Masses.

They mission team spoke about the mission plans as they visit parishes and schools, the visit of the relics of St Carlo Acutis and the 100 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration.

They also encouraged parishioners to respond to Bishop Fintan’s invitation to join the whole diocese for the 100^th Anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession on Sunday 7^th June, leaving the Cathedral at 3pm.

On Saturday morning, the missionaries visited the Poor Clares. They joined the Sisters for Mass and prayed a holy hour together before having the opportunity to meet the sisters and share about the mission plans in preparation for the Eucharistic Procession. The sisters also shared their vocation stories and offered some beautiful advice to our young missionaries.

The timetable for the Visit of the Relics of St. Carlo and the preparation for the Procession can be seen here.

Bishop Fintan is inviting people throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross to pray a special Novena prayer as part of our preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Eucharistic Procession.

The Novena will be prayed over the nine days leading up to the Feast of Corpus Christi, from Friday, 29th May to Saturday, 6th June.

Copies of the Novena prayer have already been distributed to parishes and will be prayed at Masses across the diocese during these days. Further copies can also be downloaded from the diocesan website.

Each day of the Novena, a short video will be shared at 12 noon on the diocesan website and social media channels. 

Watch Bishop Fintan's invite to pray the Novena from Friday 29th May