Revision line – Veneration of the relic of St Francis… and St Carlo Acutis
A third veneration of the relics of St Francis of Assisi using the guided option — more intimate, more intentional — followed by a visit to the shrine of the newly canonised St Carlo Acutis, whose energy and appeal to young people is undeniable. (5 min read)
At the end of the day, I have walked 100km in Italy! I see this as a powerful sign of moving forward. And I am surprised at how easy it has been to achieve. Some days my feet are a little sore but I’ve discovered the rejuvenating power of “Olio Di Chiara”. The weather has been perfect, with generally way above average temperatures, which has made it very pleasant.
Today I had my third visit to the relics of San Francesco. This was quite a different experience because it was the first time I used the “guided option”. This option involved a Friar – in this case an American – providing some introductory remarks about the veneration process and a distillation of the suggested issues for reflection and prayer. After the veneration there is a debrief, an opportunity for renewal of baptism (done as a group), and presentation of a little gift from the organisers – a pot of earth containing a grain of wheat.
The gift echoes the suggested Gospel passage which, in essence, highlights the potential for much new growth that can come from death – both of the body and the dying to the self. Francis’ life has dramatic examples of both, most obviously: the taking up of a holy life; the leadership of the order; his stigmatisation and his bodily death. And the good that came of these “deaths” is so great that we are in gratitude for them 800 years later.
It was suggested that we use the moment in front of the relics – and under a Byzantine crucifix which is very similar to the one that spoke to Francis over 800 years ago – to make a prayer for clarity about our soul’s purpose now. I don’t think there could be a more perfect focus for me personally or for the planet at this time.
There were about 150 people in the English speaking group for the veneration compared to my other two groups of over 700 people. As the same amount of time is set aside for all groups regardless of size, it meant we could process more slowly to the relic and have more time with it. I was more intentional and was able to lay out the rosaries on top of the perspex box covering the glass reliquary. It was even more moving than the previous visits.
Helpfully, I also discovered that the pilgrim’s booklet is available translated online for free – so you may wish to check it out: https://online.fliphtml5.com/ytfwq/ENG_Sussidio-32-pagine/#p=32
Today I also revisited some of the other main Franciscan churches (Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, San Damiano, San Rufino) to make prayers for a family in Brasil that is especially close to Francesco.
The other highlight of the day was visiting the shrine of one of the newest and youngest saints, Carlo Acutis. San Carlo (1991-2006) was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020 and canonised by Pope Leo in September 2025. Carlo died of a rare leukaemia at the age of 15 after living an exemplary life of faith and virtue – with an overwhelming love of God and Jesus from early childhood and a devotion to the sacraments and charity. He is renowned for using the internet as a new form of evangelisation of young people and the creation of a comprehensive website about Eucharistic miracles (https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html).
Carlo’s body, excluding his heart, is encased in a glass coffin in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi (close to the Basilica of St Clare). His heart is in a chapel at the church of San Rufino in Assisi, which I also venerated. I charged my rosaries on Carlo’s relics and had them blessed at San Rufino. I was initially sceptical about the canonisation of such a young person but having read about Carlo’s life and felt the energy around his relics and observed his obvious appeal to young people, I know it was appropriate.
This visit to Assisi is nearing completion but I have a stack of new research and writings about Francis to go through for the next edition of my book. All going well, I will visit the Franciscan hermitage in Cortona tomorrow and Gubbio on Saturday. It would not be Italy without a train strike, so it looks like I will need to take a taxi to Perugia on Saturday night.
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
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