The Diocese of Bathurst will have a rare opportunity to welcome the Major Pilgrim Relic of St Carlo Acutis from 27–31 August 2026, as part of its national pilgrimage across Australia.
Australia is the 25th country to welcome the Major Pilgrim Relic, which will visit Dubbo, Bathurst and Oberon during its time in the Diocese. The pilgrimage will also include a second relic of St Carlo and the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition he created.
(See the schedule of his visit to the Diocese of Bathurst below)
Canonised in October 2025, St Carlo Acutis has become a much-loved saint, particularly among young people. An ordinary teenager with a love for computers and technology, Carlo placed Jesus and the Eucharist at the centre of his life. Before his death from leukaemia in 2006 at just 15 years of age, he used his skills to catalogue Eucharistic miracles from around the world.
The Major Pilgrim Relic contains part of Carlo’s pericardium, the membrane surrounding his heart, while a relic of his hair will also accompany the pilgrimage.
Across the five days, there will be opportunities for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, veneration of the relics and the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition, as well as dedicated opportunities for Catholic school students.
Carlo famously described the Eucharist as his “highway to heaven”. The visit offers our Diocese an opportunity not simply to learn about one of the Church’s newest saints, but to follow his example by encountering Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and responding to the call to holiness in our own lives.
All are warmly invited to take part in this significant moment of pilgrimage and prayer in the life of our Diocese.
Dubbo
Thursday 27 August — St Brigid’s Church & Parish Hall
10:00am–8:00pm Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
10:30am Presentation on St Carlo
11:00am–12:00pm Veneration of the Relics, Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction. Confessions available.
12:00pm–4:45pm Individual veneration of the relics
5:00pm Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction
5:45pm Mass
6:15pm Presentation on St Carlo & Veneration of the Relics
7:00pm–8:00pm Eucharistic Adoration. Confessions available.
Friday 28 August — St Brigid’s Church & Parish Hall
8:00am–2:00pm Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
9:30am–11:30am Presentation on St Carlo, Veneration of the Relics & Rosary. Confessions available.
Friday 28 August — St Laurence’s Church
12:00pm Mass
12:45pm Presentation on St Carlo
1:15pm–2:00pm Veneration of the Relics
Bathurst
Friday 28 August — Cathedral of St Michael & St John
5:45pm Youth Mass & Welcome of the Major Pilgrim Relic, followed by a presentation on St Carlo and veneration of the relics.
Saturday 29 August — Cathedral & Parish Centre
9:00am–6:00pm Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
5:00pm Vigil Mass
Sunday 30 August — Cathedral & Parish Centre
9:00am–5:00pm Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
8.00am Mass
10.00am Mass
2:30pm–4:00pm Holy Hour with St Carlo at the Cathedral — Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture & Reflection, Rosary, Benediction, Veneration of the Relics & individual blessings
6.00pm Mass
7:00pm–9:00pm ARISE: Young Adults Fellowship with guest speaker Fr Karl Sinclair, Parish Priest of Coonabarabran (at The George Hotel, Bathurst. RSVP Dale 0417 967 057)
Monday 31 August — Cathedral
9:00am–2:30pm Relics & Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition inside the Cathedral. Catholic school visits will take place throughout the day.
Please note: The relics of St Carlo will be present at all Masses in the Cathedral Parish during the visit. Outside of Mass, the relics will be available for veneration at the Parish Centre during exhibition times.
Oberon
Saturday 29 August — St Ignatius’ Church
10:00am – Welcome & Procession of the Relics
10:30am – Mass (The Beheading of St John the Baptist)
11:15am–12:00pm Prayer with St Carlo
12:00–1:00pm – Veneration & Individual Blessings
1:00–1:30pm Community Gathering
1:30–2:30pm Holy Hour: Eucharistic Adoration and prayer, concluding with Benediction.