This Sunday, 7 September, Blessed Carlo Acutis will be the first Millennial Saint to be canonised. He will be canonised alongside Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Carlo was just 15 when he died. But in his short life he was renowned for his charity work and his constant pursuit of holiness. The Word of God and the Holy Eucharist were the centre of his life.

His legacy lives on, and he is a worldwide source of inspiration to many, especially young people.

Here in the Archdiocese of Birmingham we have the first parish in Britain to be dedicated to Blessed Carlo.

The Parish of Blessed Carlo Acutis is made up of St Michael's; St Peter and Paul in Wolverhampton and St Bernadette, Wombourne and was founded in December 2020.  

It has a relic of Blessed Carlo from the Bishop of Assisi and for this Jubilee Year is one of the shrines of the Archdiocese of Birmingham for the jubilee indulgence.

A fundraising drive to raise £10,000 was launched earlier this year to develop a shrine to house the relic (pictured below), together with an information and learning centre.

In readiness for this weekend the parish has organised a host of events to celebrate the canonisation.

On Thursday evening (Sept 4) there will be Adoration with the Rosary at St Michael’s, coordinated by the Legion of Mary with other prayer groups.

On Friday evening (Sept 5) a youth vigil will take place at SS Peter & Paul Church. This is coordinated by the Divine Life Prayer Group and youth leaders. 

Adoration and Vespers takes place on Saturday (Sept 6) at St Bernadette’s Church. 

The Canonisation Mass will be celebrated on Sunday morning (Sept 7) at St Michael’s. A large screen will be set up in the church so parishioners can watch the declaration of the canonisation in Rome, followed by Mass. A reception for parishioners will take place afterwards.

After the Canonisation of St Carlo Acutis the parish will be welcoming individuals and groups to visit the shrine with his relic (pictured). 

If you would like to bring a pilgrim group, please email [email protected] to book a place.

More on the Parish Shrine of St Carlo Acutis

The Carlo Acutis Youth Group will also be celebrating the Sainthood.

The youth group is a collaborative initiative between Our Lady of the Wayside, Olton Friary and St Augustine’s, providing a welcoming space for young people to grow in faith, build lasting friendships, and take part in fun and enriching activities.

The group had started out as Our Lady of the Wayside youth group in September 2023 and steadily grew its numbers incredibly to more than 70+ young people – highlighting just how much a youth group facility was needed. Due to the increasing numbers the Carlo Acutis senior youth group (Year 6 +) now meets every Friday term-time at the beautiful Olton Friary (large grounds and hall) 6.30pm – 8.30pm where these numbers can be facilitated. 

A junior Carlo Acutis youth group has also been newly formed this year specifically for Years 4 and 5 and is also held every Friday term-time back at OLOW parish hall. It already has circa 15 children attending.

Towards the end of last year, the group were searching for a communal name, not just representative of one church.

Ray McNally, youth group chairman, said: "Carlo Acutis, who had inspired so many, came to the group's attention. After some diligent investigating we were all blown away and inspired and after praying together about it, it seemed such a natural fit. 

"It was therefore unanimously agreed that we re-name OLOW youth group to become the ‘Carlo Acutis’ youth group, adopting such an inspirational figurehead as our patron – one that resonates and inspires all youth! In fact, during the process of our youth already finding out about Carlo Acutis and how he lived his life has already inspired one of our youth members to very recently choose Carlo Acutis as his Confirmation name!

"The key to the success we are enjoying is the supporting triangle between Church – School – Community and we have a great team of some 16 youth leaders."

The whole of September is being devoted to the youth group’s patron: Saint Carlo Acutis – Following Jesus in the 21st Century.

On Friday (Sept 5) – the next youth group gathering – it will be all about the Canonisation. Friday 12 September will be focused on celebrating Carlo’s life, faith and sainthood, reflection and prayer.

On Saturday 13 September Carlo Acutis youth group leaders will be taking part in the KYT-organised Jubilee Walk from St Chad’s Cathedral to St Michael’s in Wolverhampton.

A youth Mass will be held on Friday 19 September at 6.45pm at Olton Friary – around the theme of Carlo Acutis and in particular religious vocations.

On Friday 26 September the group will delve deeper into how Carlo Acutis inspires young people to live their faith boldly and joyfully. So that we all may have the courage to follow Jesus’ example and path.

If anyone would like more information about the Carlo Acutis youth groups – please email [email protected]  

The Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) is hosting a Pilgrimage Walk on Saturday 13 September. Pilgrims will leave St Chad’s Cathedral and walk along the canal to the Shrine of Carlos Acutis at St Michael’s, Wolverhampton.  

Find out more and sign up

Patrick Denton, from KYT, is due to attend the Canonisation in-person. He has also helped to develop a number of resources now available for use in our parishes and schools.

Blessed Carlo Acutis resources

Holy Hour - Carlo

Youth Group night - Carlo

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati resources

Emmaus Walk - Pier

Youth Group night - Pier

At St Wulstan, Little Malvern, parishioners will receive commemorative prayer cards and after Mass tuck into a specially decorated cake to celebrate. 

At St John Henry Newman Parish (made up of four churches) prayer cards have been designed and will go to all students in the four schools of the parish. A parishioner will also be in Rome for the Canonisation and will act as the parish’s ‘roving reporter’, with updates and videos shared on social media.

Main photograph, and the two above, courtesy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference