An Extraordinary Moment with the Communion of Saints

The spiritual heart of Assisi, Italy, is journeying to our community. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, the Bishop Emeritus  of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, is personally escorting the sacred, first-class relics of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, and St. Carlo Acutis. This is not merely an event; it is an extraordinary and profound pilgrimage opportunity to stand in the tangible presence of the cloud of witnesses. Through the generosity of Archbishop Sorrentino, the grace of Assisi is coming directly to your doorstep, inviting us into a deep encounter with the supernatural reality of the communion of saints.

As we prepare our hearts to encounter these living witnesses, we find an unbroken chain of Eucharistic love and radical conversion spanning eight centuries. St. Francis of Assisi speaks to us across time with his message of radical surrender and perfect joy. By stripping himself of his worldly wealth in the Bishop’s palace of Assisi to clothe himself solely in the righteousness of Christ, Francis demonstrated that true spiritual freedom is found when we empty ourselves of material attachments to be filled entirely by God. His life leaves us with the enduring lesson that the Gospel cannot remain a passive idea; it must be lived out actively with our bodies, our choices, and our daily actions.

Following closely in this path of radical transformation is St. Clare of Assisi, whose life shines as a radiant beacon of silent adoration and contemplative prayer. Captivated by the gospel ideal, Clare founded the Poor Clares, choosing a hidden life of intense prayer and absolute reliance on Divine Providence. In a modern culture gripped by noise and constant digital distraction, St. Clare teaches us the power of interior silence and the burning necessity of keeping our eyes fixed entirely upon the Crucified King. Her life leaves us the profound lesson that a soul hidden away in deep, intimate love with Jesus has the power to sustain the spiritual life of the whole Church.

Bridging this rich medieval heritage with our current era is St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, who proves that heroic virtue and holiness are living invitations for us today. Carlo was a normal, tech-savvy teenager who wore jeans and sneakers while using computer programming to catalog Eucharistic Miracles worldwide. He famously declared that the Holy Eucharist was his "Highway to Heaven", showing us that we can fully navigate the digital age and enjoy modern hobbies while making Jesus the absolute center of our daily lives. His life teaches us that sanctity does not require extraordinary status, but an ordinary life lived with extraordinary love for the Blessed Sacrament.

Because relics are conduits of God's healing and grace, allowing us to touch the physical reality of those who loved Christ perfectly, this gathering represents a monumental spiritual gift to your family. St. Carlo requested to be buried in Assisi because of his profound love for St. Francis, and today St. Carlo Acutis's earthly remains are in repose in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation. To have their sacred relics travel across the world together, brought by the very shepherd who guards their tombs in Italy, offers our community a rare channel of grace. Do not allow this sacred moment to pass you by; bring your heartaches, your prayers, your youth, and your families to look upon these reminders of those who made their lives a masterpiece for God, and join us for public veneration according to the following schedule