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Melbourne

Relics of 'influencer' saint draw hundreds of Melbourne teens to mass

Tissue from St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, tours Australia as church seeks to inspire youth

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
About 500 students, most of them teenagers, gathered at Antonine College in Pascoe Vale South on Wednesday to venerate relics of St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15 and was canonised by Pope Leo in 2025.

The event was part of what organisers call a "highway to heaven" missionary visit to Australia, during which relics (tissue from St Carlo's body) are travelling around the country. The Catholic Church-approved tour aims to inspire people, particularly the young, to follow Jesus, do good and cut back on video gaming.

Posters of Carlo Acutis at the school radiated the charisma of a pop star. With his tousled hair, gentle smile and red polo shirt, he had the casual look of a singer like Ed Sheeran. Known as "God's influencer", Carlo is considered a relatable figure for young Catholics.

The Maronite Catholic school hosted the mass in St Carlo's honour as part of the relics' Australian itinerary. The visit reflects the church's efforts to connect with younger generations through a saint who lived a modern, digitally aware life.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The relics tour represents a new strategy by the Catholic Church to engage young people using a contemporary, tech-savvy saint as a role model.
  • The strong turnout at the Melbourne event suggests the approach resonates with teens, potentially influencing religious participation among a generation often disconnected from traditional worship.

Background

St Carlo Acutis is known as the first millennial saint and a patron of the internet. His canonisation in 2025 was seen as a recognition of holiness in the digital age. He died from leukaemia at age 15 after a life that included documenting online resources for Catholic faith. The relics tour across Australia brings his story directly to schools and parishes.

Key Perspectives

The Catholic Church: Views Carlo Acutis as an effective modern messenger whose example of faith combined with everyday interests (such as video games) can inspire young people to deepen their religious practice. Young attendees: The mass drew hundreds of students who engaged with the relics, indicating curiosity or devotion toward a peer-aged saint. Skeptics: While not voiced in the reported event, some may question the veneration of bodily relics or the church's reliance on a millennial figure to address declining youth attendance.

What to Watch

  • Further stops on the Australian relics tour and attendance numbers at other schools or parishes.
  • Whether the church expands similar outreach featuring Carlo Acutis in other countries.
  • Reactions from youth who encounter the relics and any measurable impact on religious engagement among Australian teenagers.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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