College Community

Last week, our College community was blessed with a truly extraordinary opportunity as we welcomed the Major Relic of St Carlo Acutis to St Brigid’s. With great joy, the Diocese of Broken Bay secured a visit of St Carlo’s relic, his heart, allowing our students and staff to participate in a deeply meaningful experience of faith, prayer and reflection.

In preparation for the visit, all students learned about the significance of relics within the Catholic tradition and explored the life and witness of St Carlo Acutis. As a young person who embraced technology, generosity and a profound love of the Eucharist, Carlo’s example continues to inspire Catholics around the world, particularly young people seeking to live their faith authentically in today’s world.

A special highlight of the Mass was the participation of one of our Year 12 Senior Student Leaders, who had the honour of being part of the procession that brought the relic into the church. The student chose St Carlo Acutis as his Confirmation Saint when he was welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil earlier this year, making the occasion particularly significant for him.

All students and staff received a St Carlo prayer card as a memento of the visit and were invited to touch their prayer card to the relic, creating a tangible connection to this remarkable young saint. We extend our sincere gratitude to Fr Baby for presiding over the Mass and for the ongoing support our parish priests provide to our College community.

What stood out most throughout the celebration was the reverent and respectful manner in which our students and staff engaged with the Mass and the veneration of the relic. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of our faith community and the way in which sacred experiences can deepen our relationship with Christ.

Reflecting on the occasion, our Year 12 student shared: “Over the past year I have been diving deeper into my faith and completed my sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass. As part of this journey, I chose St Carlo Acutis as my patron saint after learning about his life and attending the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. I was inspired by how he used his talents in technology to glorify God and show that faith can be lived out in every part of our lives. Having the opportunity to carry the relic of my patron saint in the procession was an indescribable experience. We also heard from the Friends of Carlo Association about his life and ministry, which was incredibly inspiring. St Carlo’s example shows that holiness is possible at any age, and I am grateful to have been part of such a significant event.”

As a College community, we are thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter the relic of St Carlo Acutis and to learn from the witness of a young saint whose faith, courage and use of his God-given gifts continue to inspire people across the world. May his example encourage all of us to seek holiness in our everyday lives and to use our talents in service of God and others.

Mr Damien Tomsett

Assistant Principal – Evangelisation & Catechesis