Mrs Catherine Harrison – Deputy Head of Prep

Five Prep 5 pupils were invited to visit the relics of St Carlo Acutis, a holy young man who died in 2006 aged just 15 years old and who was canonised last September. They spent a poignant afternoon at St Patrick’s RC Church in Collyhurst, where they were able to see and hold the special relics. These first-class relics included a piece of Carlo’s pericardium (the membrane around his heart), fragments of his hair displayed in a cross, a piece of his t-shirt and a section of the bed sheet that covered him as he died.

During the service, the pupils were invited to write their own prayers of special intention which will be flown out to Italy this week and placed beneath the tomb of St Carlo Acutis in Assisi.

Monsignor Anthony spoke about how ordinary Carlo was – he was a computer genius who enjoyed video games and playing football. However, he knew his priority was service to Our Lady. He used the internet to research and share the miracles of the Eucharist online. All the children present were reminded of the need to perform small, often hidden acts of charity in service to others.

All the pupils were blessed in turn with the relics by Monsignor Anthony and ex-Bedian, Father Theo and they were able to touch the relics with their prayer cards, now their own second-class relics to be kept safe and treasured.