When St. Carlo Acutis’ pilgrim relic visits the Philippines later this month, it will be brought to at least 29 churches and one school across the Luzon region.
The visit features the saint’s pericardium, the membrane surrounding and protecting the heart, arriving roughly a month after Acutis’ canonization by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
The first-class relic, measuring six centimeters long and two centimeters high, is kept in a reliquary 33 centimeters tall and 17 centimeters wide by the Diocese of Assisi, the custodian of Acutis’ relics.
It is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Nov. 27 before beginning a pilgrimage that includes minor basilicas, cathedrals, parish churches, and shrines in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, director of international affairs and custodian of the pericardium relic for the Diocese of Assisi, will bring the relic from Italy to the Philippines.
Fr. Jerome Ponce, OFM, national spiritual director of Friends of St. Carlo Acutis – Philippines (FSCAPh), which organized the pilgrimage, invites the faithful to welcome the relic.
He described the visit as a grace-filled occasion meant to inspire the faithful, especially the youth, to deepen their devotion to the Holy Eucharist, which Acutis dearly loved and referred to as his “highway to heaven.”
“This grace-filled visit is a powerful reminder of God’s call to holiness in our modern world,” Ponce said. “His life continues to inspire countless young people and families to rediscover the beauty of faith, prayer, and the sacraments, most especially the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.”
The priest urged the faithful, particularly young people, to take part in activities during the relic’s visit, including Masses, veneration, and other events honoring the young saint.
“May this historic visit strengthen us in our faith, especially among our young people, and draw us closer to Jesus in the Eucharist,” Ponce added.
Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, who serves as the episcopal promoter of the Friends of St. Carlo Acutis–Philippines, will lead the formal reception of the relic together with members of the FSCAPh.
Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, who serves as the Episcopal Promoter of the Friends of St. Carlo Acutis Philippines, will lead the formal reception of the relic together with members of the FSCAPh.
Here’s the full itinerary for the first Philippine visit of St. Carlo Acutis’ pericardium relic:
Friday, Nov. 28
8:00 a.m. – Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Malolos City)
3:00 p.m. – San Roque Cathedral (Caloocan City)
Saturday, Nov. 29
8:00 a.m. – Minor Basilica of San Sebastian (Quiapo, Manila)
2:00 p.m. – Kristong Hari Parish – Shrine of the Youth (Commonwealth Ave. Quezon City)
Sunday, Nov. 30
8:00 a.m. – San Sebastián Cathedral (Tarlac City)
2:00 p.m. – Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (Moncada, Tarlac)
Monday, Dec. 1
8:00 a.m. – Cathedral of St. Paul the First Hermit (San Pablo City, Laguna)
2:00 p.m. – Diocese of Imus (Location to be announced later)
Tuesday, Dec. 2
8:00 a.m. – Cathedral Parish of the Immaculate (Pasig City)
2:00 p.m. – National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Valenzuela City)
Wednesday, Dec. 3
9:00 a.m. – Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Balatong, Laoag City)
2:00 p.m. – Diocesan Shrine & Parish of St. Nicolas de Tolentino (San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte)
Thursday, Dec. 4
9:00 a.m. – Saint William’s Cathedral (Laoag City)
Friday, Dec. 5
8:30 a.m. – Antipolo Cathedral (Antipolo City)
2:00 p.m. – Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish (Mandaluyong City)
Saturday, Dec. 6
8:00 a.m. – St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish & Diocesan Shrine (Muntinlupa City)
Sunday, Dec. 7
2:00 p.m. – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Diliman, Quezon City)
NB: The National Pilgrim Relic will substitute the pericardium relic in the afternoon during the Grand Marian Procession and will be available for veneration at a roadside altar.
Monday, Dec. 8
8:00 a.m. – National Shrine and Parish of St. John Paul II (Brgy. Culis, Hermosa, Bataan)
2:00 p.m. – St. Augustine Cathedral Parish (Iba, Zambales)
Tuesday, Dec. 9
8:00 a.m. – Saint Joseph the Patriarch Cathedral Parish (Alaminos, Pangasinan)
2:00 p.m. – Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Dagupan City)
Wednesday, Dec. 10
8:00 a.m. – Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. (Bocaue, Bulacan)
2:00 p.m. – Mary Immaculate Parish (Levitown, Better Living Subd., Parañaque City)
Thursday, Dec. 11
9:00 a.m. Parish and National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio (Sto. Tomas, Batangas)
Friday, Dec. 12
8:00 a.m. – St. Carlo Acutis Proposed Parish (Catalina Lake Residences, Bauan, Batangas)
4:00 p.m. – Santo Domingo Church (Quezon City)
Saturday, Dec. 13
8:00 a.m. – Saint Joseph the Worker Cathedral (San Jose, Nueva Ecija)
2:00 p.m. – St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish Cathedral (Cabanatuan City)
Sunday, Dec. 14
10:00 a.m. – Santuario de San Antonio Parish (McKinley Rd., Makati City)
2:00 p.m. – San Felipe Neri Parish (Mandaluyong City)
Monday, Dec. 15 – Departure of the Pericardium Relic to Assisi
