​St Carlo's major pilgrim relic is coming to New Zealand from 7 to 23 June and Australia from 25 June to 25 October 2026. Australia will be the 25th country to welcome St Carlo's major relic, his pericardium.​

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The pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart, is a sac filled with fluid that encloses the heart and the great vessels, holding them in place and protecting the body’s most important organ. The relic, therefore, is of major importance physiologically. The pericardium also contains deep spiritual meaning. The heart is the body’s most important organ; it is also the seat of our sentiments and actions. In the heart is born and lives our relationship with the Lord: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Dt 6,5, Mt 22,37).

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Moreover, when the side of Jesus was pierced on the Cross, “blood and water immediately flowed out” (Jn 19,34). Life giving blood, symbol of the Eucharist – to which Carlo Acutis was especially attached as his “highway to Heaven” – came from Christ’s Sacred Heart; water, symbol of Baptism – “the basis of the whole Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1213) – came from the Lord’s pericardium.

 

​Saint Carlo Acutis desired a living relationship with Jesus from an early age. He wished  to receive his First Holy Communion when only 7 years of age and on that day told his parents: “Always to be united to Jesus. This is my programme of life.” He protected and nurtured this most important of relationships with his “spiritual” pericardium of 5 practices or appointments: 

 

1)  Frequent reception of the Eucharistic Jesus,

2)  Adoration, 

3)  Spiritual direction and confession, 

4)  Devotion to the Blessed Mother and the saints, and 

5)  Acts of charity. 

 

It led him, and can lead us to be saints, living just as he lived.          St Carlo, pray for us​​​