In Gorgonzola, his relics are now in the chapel of the ‘Maria Immacolata’ School. Carlo Acutis, who will be canonised during the Jubilee for Young People from 25 to 27 April 2025. He will thus be the first saint of the generation born in the Third Millennium.
Sister Giovanna, the religious leader of the ‘Maria Immacolata’ tells us about the reception of Carlo Acutis’ relics.
‘On 28 February 2025, the city of Gorgonzola welcomed the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be proclaimed a saint on 27 April as part of the Jubilee of Adolescents. These are first-class relics delivered by an official of the bishop of Assisi, in the bishop’s seat, to Sister Giovanna Morstabilini who had officially requested them with the Nulla Osta of the Vicar General of the Curia of Milan and to the religion teacher of the IMI, Marco Vismara, creator of the initiative.
Carlo Acutis, a young Milanese who died in 2006 at the age of just 15 from acute leukaemia, was beatified in 2016 for the greatness of his faith demonstrated despite his young age and for the subsequent miracles attributed to him. Raised in a church in Milan, passionate about sport, technology and music, experiencing the challenges of growing up, he attended a state-recognised school: all this significantly and in a special way connects his story to our story.
This is why our school is a privileged place to welcome, with his relics, his presence and share his desire for uniqueness and originality, a solid foundation for the path of fulfilment and holiness of each person. The children have been preparing for the event over the past few weeks by participating in various activities and initiatives to learn about the Blessed and thus welcome him to the school.
From today, our school, ‘Maria Immacolata’, will permanently house these relics in its chapel.
The town and church of Gorgonzola welcomed the relics of Blessed Carlo with a very well-attended celebration in the parish church, presided over by the parish priest Don Paolo Zago and Don Matteo Baraldi, parish vicar of the parish of Santa Maria Segreta, the parish of Blessed Carlo in Milan, and enlivened by the pupils of IMI.
Welcome to the Institute
After the ceremony with the Gorgonzola community, the more than 500 students carried the Blessed’s relics in a procession to the Institute chapel. These will always be available to children and families for moments of prayer, thanks also to the presence of the nuns and the collaboration of a group of IMI alumni.
Even though the relics will remain in the school chapel, the entire community of Gorgonzola will be part of this event and presence. Visitors will also be able to see the Blessed Acutis exhibition set up in an area of the IMI adjacent to the chapel, created in collaboration with the ‘Annunciate dai tetti’ Association of Trani
Inside the Institute the morning ended with a moment of celebration and entertainment.
Blessed Carlo will remain present in our reality, in the places where we study and play, in the relationships between students, in true and sincere friendships. We entrust to him our commitment to grow with Jesus, to take care not only of our exterior, but also of our heart, of our interiority because, as Carlo said, our goal must be the infinite, not the finite.
Sister Giovanna Morstabilini
