For a parish already tested by Venezuela’s ongoing challenges, the loss of the relic of St Carlo Acutis casts a shadow over a moment meant to inspire joy and unity
Newsroom (17/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) On September 9, 2025, a small but cherished relic of Saint Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church’s youngest contemporary saint, was reported stolen from Santo Domingo de Guzmán parish in Venezuela’s Andean state of Mérida. The theft, occurring just two days after Pope Leo XIV formally declared Acutis a saint during a vibrant Mass in St. Peter’s Square, has left the local Catholic community grappling with grief and disbelief.
The missing relic—a fragment of cloth preserved in a glass reliquary—was entrusted to the parish by the San Carlo Acutis Youth Group, a local organization devoted to the legacy of the teenager dubbed “God’s Influencer.” For the group’s members and the broader parish community, the relic was far more than a physical object. “It has great spiritual significance,” said Adrián García, the youth group’s coordinator, in an interview. “It’s a connection to Carlo, to his faith, to his mission.” García confirmed that Mérida’s police are investigating the theft, and he expressed measured hope, stating, “We believe it will be found.”
The timing of the theft has amplified its emotional impact. On September 7, more than 80,000 pilgrims filled St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Acutis’ canonization, a moment that marked him as a global symbol of holiness in the digital age. The 15-year-old, who died of leukemia in 2006, gained fame for his website documenting Eucharistic miracles, a project that earned him the affectionate nickname “God’s Influencer.” His canonization, following two miracles attributed to his intercession—including a healing in Brazil that led to his 2020 beatification—cemented his place as a patron for young Catholics navigating faith in a tech-driven world.
The stolen relic, secured by the youth group after Acutis’ beatification, was a rare and sacred link to the saint. Relics of newly canonized figures are often distributed to parishes and shrines worldwide, serving as focal points for prayer and devotion. In Mérida, the cloth fragment was a source of inspiration for a community facing economic hardship and social challenges, offering a tangible reminder of Acutis’ call to find holiness in everyday life. Its loss has struck a deep chord. “It feels like losing a piece of our hope,” said María Elena Torres, a parishioner who regularly prayed before the reliquary. “Carlo’s story taught us that even the young can change the world with faith.”
The theft also raises broader concerns within the Catholic Church, which has long sought to curb the illicit trade of relics. The Vatican has issued repeated warnings against treating relics as collectibles, emphasizing their role as instruments of spiritual devotion. In recent years, the online sale of purported relics tied to Acutis has prompted particular scrutiny, with Church officials urging the faithful to ensure authenticity and reverence. The Mérida theft risks fueling this underground market, a development that could undermine the Church’s efforts to protect the sanctity of such objects.
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis lived a life marked by profound piety and an innovative spirit. From a young age, he combined his Catholic faith with a passion for technology, teaching himself to code and creating digital platforms to share the beauty of the Eucharist. His untimely death at 15 did not dim his influence; instead, it amplified his message, resonating with young people seeking meaning in an increasingly digital world. For the parishioners of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the relic’s absence is more than a material loss—it is a wound to their connection with a saint whose life mirrors their own struggles and aspirations.
As the investigation continues, the Mérida community remains steadfast in its devotion. Prayer vigils have been organized, and the youth group has called for calm, urging the faithful to focus on Acutis’ enduring legacy rather than the theft. “Carlo’s spirit is bigger than any relic,” García said. “His life reminds us that God works through the small and the ordinary.” Yet, for a parish already tested by Venezuela’s ongoing challenges, the loss of this sacred object casts a shadow over a moment meant to inspire joy and unity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Zenit
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