As the first saint from the Millennial generation is about to be canonized April 27 in Rome, excitement builds at the official shrine of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, nestled in the heart of Malvern Retreat House’s 125 acres of sacred grounds.
The shrine began only a few years ago with an inspiration experienced by Father James Blount, a charismatic priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity. During Mass in St. Joseph’s Chapel on the retreat grounds, Father Blount saw a vision of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
The Italian teenager died in 2006 at the age of 15 and has become an inspiration for youths and young adults around the world due to his passion for using technology to evangelize and share his devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist.
He has been popularly referred to as “a saint in sneakers” for his deep faith combined with a relatable, modern lifestyle, including his love for video games and comfortable attire like jeans and sneakers, which also resonates with young people.
Saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized on the last day of the Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome, April 25-27.
Father Blount’s insight, as related by Mary Bea Damico, board member and now shrine coordinator, inspired her and Michael Norton, president of Malvern Retreat House, “to do something special,” said Damico, that would honor Blessed Carlo and help spread his message of holiness and deep devotion to the Eucharist.
Damico, a mother of four children and grandmother of two, is a parishioner of St. Patrick Parish in Malvern.
Inside the official shrine of Blessed Carlo Acutis at Malvern Retreat House in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, visitors are invited to explore the International Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World. (Photo courtesy of Blessed Carlo Acutis Shrine)
She had been familiar with Blessed Carlo and his poster exhibit of information he had collected on eucharistic miracles throughout history, which was traveling extensively to parishes and university campuses in the United States and other countries..
While visiting the retreat grounds, specifically the lower level of McShain Hall, a spacious area largely used by retreatants as a lounge, Damico says she prayed and felt an “overwhelming sense” that this was the place where God wanted people – especially young people – to visit and learn about the life of Blessed Carlo and the Sacred Heart of Jesus alive in the Eucharist.
Phase one for building the shrine started in 2022 as an exhibit in an alcove, displaying what Damico refers to as “the heart wall,” which documents the scientific testing of the eucharistic miracles, surrounded by two walls detailing 16 of the miracles.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez attended the ribbon cutting ceremony in August of that year and blessed the exhibit.
Six months later, following a youth Mass with Father Blount and five other archdiocesan priests, including now-Bishop Efren Esmilla and Father Stephen DeLacy, vicar for faith formation for youth and young adults in the archdiocese, Damico says she felt “an overwhelming sense that we weren’t done” with the exhibit.
She again prayed and felt the Holy Spirit guided her to expand the alcove’s exhibit into a shrine covering the whole area of lower McShain Hall.
Norton said he “took the leap of faith” to help move the project forward because he found the story of Blessed Carlo “so intriguing.”
He was also impressed by the “great reaction” of the young people who attended the youth Mass, saying, “It was very special and spiritual.”
Students from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School’s Ignatian Spirituality class visit the Carlo Acutis Shrine in April 2025. Prep students have started “Carlo’s Amigos,” a sodality, or an organized association, of Blessed Carlos. (Photo courtesy of Blessed Carlo Acutis Shrine)
After dry wall, painting and other enhancements, much of which was donated by retreatants, the area became the Carlo Acutis Shrine and Center for Eucharistic Encounter in August 2023.
The expanded space includes documentation of 100 eucharistic miracles, a Hall of Saints featuring eucharistic miracles experienced by saints and mystics, miracles associated with approved apparitions of the Blessed Mother, a Blessed Carlo Room featuring details from his life, and a permanent altar for group adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during scheduled visits and special events.
The shrine was visited on October 1, 2023 by Antonia Salzano Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo. and More than 1,000 pilgrims attended Mass that day and heard her talk on her son’s saintly life, according to Damico.
During that visit Blessed Carlo’s mother proclaimed, “I believe the greatest part of Carlo’s mission is the salvation of the youth of America,” said Damico.
Reflecting on the experience of creating the shrine, Damico said, “I feel that the Lord had planned for this place,” noting the 100-plus years of “the men of Malvern” who attended yearly retreats and have become the “spiritual fathers” for the youth who visit the shrine.
“This shrine is so powerful, and so moving,” said Norton. “It’s for the salvation of our youth.”
Malvern Retreat House will hold an event simulcasting the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis on Sunday, April 27 in Rome, local time. To register, visit https://www.malvernretreat.com/events/st-carlo-acutis-canonization-simulcast/ .
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