The parish of Our Lady of Miracles in Algeciras is preparing for some especially significant days on the occasion of the arrival and enthronement of a relic of Saint Carlo Acutis, the young Italian recently canonized and now a reference figure for many young people in the Catholic Church. A delegation from the parish, led by its pastor, Juan José Galvín, traveled to Assisi last August to personally collect the relic, which is now in the parish community.
This is a first-class relic, consisting of hair from the saint. Galvín has explained that the arrival of this relic represents “a revitalization of faith” and a joy for the entire community. The presence of the relic also takes on special significance given its proximity to the Our Lady of Miracles School, due to Carlo Acutis’s particular connection with young people.
The pastor recalls that Acutis stood out for his profound devotion to the Eucharist and his commitment to spreading knowledge of Eucharistic miracles. One of his most famous phrases is “the Eucharist is the highway to heaven,” reflecting the central role faith played in his life. Carlo Acutis died in 2006, at just 15 years old, from leukemia. His way of living with illness and facing death, with faith and joy, has also helped make him a figure especially close to new generations.
Program of events
On the occasion of the enthronement of the relic, the parish has prepared a wide-ranging program that will begin with a triduum on September 3, 4, and 5. On Thursday the 3rd, the celebration of the Eucharist will move to the Our Lady of Miracles School, in a day intended to focus especially on young people and their relationship with the saint. On Friday the 4th, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a talk on the life of Saint Carlo Acutis by David Motacano, a former student of the school. Afterwards, at 8:30 p.m., the Eucharist corresponding to the second day of the triduum will be celebrated.
On Saturday the 5th, the Eucharist will again be celebrated at 8:30 p.m., and afterwards, at 9:30 p.m., a vigil will be held aimed especially at young people, though open to all faithful who wish to participate. The central events will arrive on Sunday with a procession from the hermitage of Our Lady of Miracles, known as the hermitage of the Cerveras, to the parish. The departure is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
The procession will be presided over, God willing, by Don Ramón Valdivia, apostolic administrator, who will also participate in the celebrations organized during these days. Upon arrival at the parish, at approximately 12:20 or 12:30 p.m., the Eucharist will be celebrated, constituting one of the main moments of this celebration. The day will conclude with a community meal where attendees can share food and enjoy a time of fellowship.
Context and relevance
The parish of Our Lady of Miracles thus invites the entire community to participate in these events and to learn more about the figure of Saint Carlo Acutis, a young man who, despite his short life, has become a reference point of faith and spirituality for millions of people, especially among new generations. The initiative seeks to strengthen parish life and offer spaces for encounter and prayer, in line with the saint’s testimony.
Original source: cadenaser.com (published on September 1, 2026)
