April 16, 2025

By Mary Beth Bracy, consecrated virgin
Contributing Writer

On his recent European pilgrimage to celebrate his 25th priestly anniversary, Father Michael Marzan was offered a special mission, if he chose to accept it. On March 27, Father Marzan received a message from Father Bryan D. Stitt, asking if he could travel to Assisi to obtain a relic of the soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis for veneration at the April 26 “Highway to Heaven” event in Lake Placid.

Father Marzan was vacationing with the priests he was ordained with and pondered what to do.

“How could I obtain it (the relic) because I was in the middle of my vacation in Spain? It was the last week of my vacation,” he said, describing his thoughts at the time. “Did I need to sacrifice the rest of my time and turn back to Rome? Who are the people that were going to help me to facilitate the process? For me it was a really difficult and decisive mission to do.”

“During our Mass in the Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona (in the crypt) an inspiration came to me telling me to go for that mission, although it was difficult to leave the group and go back to Rome,” continued Father Marzan. “An inner voice kept telling me in my conscience to help to find the relic of Carlo Acutis in Assisi. I wanted to be of help for the good of the people and the diocese. I believe that God put me in this situation for this purpose.”

Many people in the North Country and worldwide feel connected to Acutis and are eager to venerate his relics to ask for his intercession for their needs and those of their loved ones.

Father Marzan said the trip to Assisi was an experience he won’t forget.

“From Spain I went to Switzerland,” he said. “It took six or eight hours to go back to Italy by train. There were a lot of transfers from one train. You have to be quick and walk fast. On the following day, I went to Assisi. I took the train and the bus to go to Assisi. Since it was Sunday, there was no one in the office, so I needed to stay and go the next day. I called a Filipina friend and she helped introduce me to a Benedictine Filipina nun who welcomed me to stay overnight in their monastery. The room that I used is the room that the Cardinal who is in charge of the canonization of saints stayed in, and also Cardinal Tagle used that room. So, there was a different kind of feeling.”

Initially, the attempt to obtain the relic wasn’t successful.

“The next day, I asked sister to help me talk to the secretary (in charge of distributing Acutis’ relics),” Father Marzan said. “The secretary was very accommodating and kind. She could speak English. I told the secretary that the request from the bishop had been sent to her email. They were not able to read the request. When she opened the email, they had run out of the availability of the (first class) relics. She promised to place our diocese on the waiting list, so as soon as the relic is available they will let us know.”

Due to Acutis’ immense popularity, there is an overwhelming demand for his relics, Father Marzan learned.
Despite this obstacle, Father Marzan’s adventure was successful.

“We did not leave empty handed,” he said. “There was a great sense of blessedness despite the difficulties. There was hope and assurance that they are giving the first class relic for the diocese.”

Amazingly, the secretary provided Father Marzan with second class relics of Acutis for veneration at the Highway to Heaven event. They are pieces of clothing Acutis wore.

“It was my first time at Santa Maria Maggiore where Carlo Acutis body is venerated,” Father Marzan said. “I was grateful to preside over the celebration of the Mass there with my nine other classmates concelebrating. Other pilgrims (a bus of 54) were there (with us). There was a feeling of awe and amazement to see Carlo’s body, wearing jeans and sneakers and the Rosary in his hand. Being able to touch the tomb was very different and special to pay respect and honor in his presence.”

Although Acutis’ body is not incorrupt, it is fully integral and preserved in a glass case for veneration.

“There are different types of relics of the saints,” Father Marzan related. “The first type is of the body parts of the saint like bones, blood, or hair. The second class type are items that belonged to or are used by the saints. The third class are objects that have been touched to the first and the second class relics.”

Father Marzan said he feels Acutis’s “life resonates with young people.”

“He died at the age of 15 in 2006. He placed the Eucharist at the heart of his life and faith from a young age. He really loved to attend Mass and receive Communion, seeing it as spiritual nourishment and the way to encounter Jesus. He said, ‘The Holy Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.’ This quote means that (the Eucharist) is the way to reach Heaven.”