The International Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles Across the World will visit St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, during a historic weekend for the Universal Church. The exhibit’s stop in the Paterson Diocese will coincide with the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the display’s creator and the first millennial saint, on April 27 in Rome.
A first-class relic of Blessed Carlo’s, a lock of his hair, will accompany the exhibit, which St. Catherine’s will hold in its gym from 3 to 8 p.m. on April 26 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27. Visitors are encouraged to bring their devotional items, such as rosaries and holy cards, and pictures of ill friends and family members, which they can touch to the reliquary as a means of intercessory prayer.
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The British-born Blessed Carlo, who died from incurable leukemia in 2006 at age 15 in Italy, received the Eucharist daily and used his talents to share the joy of Christ’s presence with the world. He developed what became the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit. It features the stories, photos, and artwork of 158 Vatican-approved Eucharistic miracles from 22 countries that are worthy of belief. Documentation for each miracle is displayed on a 2-foot by 3-foot panel.
“Jesus is my great friend, and the Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” said Blessed Carlo, who has become a spiritual role model for young people.
The timelines of these miracles range from centuries ago to the modern day and even involve a few saints.
One miracle involves a German priest who stopped in Bolsena-Orvieta, Italy. He had difficulties believing in the Real Presence. As he celebrated Mass above the tomb of St. Christina in 1263, blood began seeping out of the Host during the Consecration. Because of this miracle, Pope Urban IV commissioned the feast of Corpus Christi, which is celebrated in June.
“Knowledge of these miracles strengthens our faith in Christ and his Church. They are visible proof of his Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist,” according to the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association.
Father Daniel O’Mullane, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Parish in Boonton, acquired Blessed Carlo’s first-class relic featured in the exhibit through an official Vatican process.
Diane Striegel, an OLMC and St. Catherine’s parishioner, is coordinating the April 26-27 visit to Mountain Lakes. She has organized nearly 60 Eucharistic Miracles exhibits across four states, including many in the Paterson Diocese.
Blessed Carlo was an artist, cartoonist, computer gamer, and programmer and is often mentioned by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Pope Francis beatified him in Assisi, Italy, in 2020.
For more information, call St. Catherine’s at 973-334-7131.
