Westminster Cathedral was filled with worshippers on Saturday, 11 October, for the Westminster Eucharistic Festival, a celebration of the gift of the Blessed Sacrament. This year’s event formed part of a series marking the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis, the London-born teenager whose profound devotion to the Eucharist shaped his short but saintly life.
Before the festival began, Bishop Nicholas Hudson blessed the console used to livestream Masses, with the Cathedral’s newly acquired relic of St Carlo Acutis. Volunteers who manage the livestream often seek the young saint’s intercession when technical challenges arise.
The celebration opened with Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. In his homily, Cardinal Nichols reflected on St Carlo’s simplicity and authenticity, describing him as 'a young saint characterised by simple sincerity and a life of holiness.'
'St Carlo is an inspiration to so many, especially those in jeans,' the Cardinal said. 'His methods of entering more deeply into faith were new, yet his message is as old as the Church, a timeless truth that we attend to today. He insisted: "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven!" Simple, profound, life-giving, inspiring!'
Following Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for a period of adoration, during which Fr Alan Robinson, Rector of Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, preached on the power and mystery of the Eucharist.
The afternoon continued with the recitation of the Rosary and a second sermon from Bishop Hudson, who spoke about St Carlo’s journey to sainthood and the central role of the Eucharist in his life.
'For Carlo, the Eucharist was at the centre of his life,' Bishop Hudson said. 'He would often remind others: "The more we receive the Eucharist, the more we become like Jesus and receive a foretaste of heaven." He was convinced that each of us can become saints, if we live in the presence of Jesus. "If we face the sun," he said, "we get a tan. But if we look at Jesus, we become saints."'
The day concluded with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the Cathedral, drawing to a close a day of prayer, and thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist, and for the inspiring witness of St Carlo Acutis.
