We visited the National Shrine and Parish of St. John Paul II in Hermosa, Bataan as it was one of the stopovers of the pericardium heart relic of Saint Carlo Acutis during its first visit to the Philippines. The relic arrived in the country on November 27, marking the start of an 18-day pilgrimage that would bring this first-class relic to more than 30 churches in 16 dioceses across Luzon.

The nationwide tour is being organized by local bishops in coordination with the Friends of St. Carlo Acutis – Philippines, the group leading efforts to promote devotion to the millennial saint. A special celebratory Mass for the veneration of the relic was held at the shrine and was brought by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo from the Diocese of Assisi, Italy. 

St. Carlo Acutis, now known as the “first millennial saint,” was canonized on September 7, 2025, alongside Dominican layman Pier Giorgio Frassati. He died on October 12, 2006, at the age of 15 due to leukemia. Despite his short life, Carlo became known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and for using digital platforms to share stories of Eucharistic miracles. He is also the second saint in history to be canonized while both of his parents were still alive, following Saint Maria Goretti, who was canonized in 1950 in the presence of her mother.