Chennai: The Commission for Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Madras–Mylapore commemorated the feast of St. Carlo Acutis with a vibrant day-long celebration titled “Via Carlo” at the Pastoral Centre in Chennai. The event, held on 12 October, brought together parish representatives, youth groups, and faithful from across the city to celebrate the life and legacy of the young Blessed who is widely known as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist.”
The celebration combined spiritual enrichment and creative expression, reflecting St. Carlo’s devotion to the Eucharist and his innovative use of digital media to spread the Gospel. The day featured workshops, cultural programs, and competitions centered on the theme “Eucharist – The Highway to Heaven.”
The day began with a technical workshop on Church audio management, led by Fr. Johnson, Parish Priest of Thiruvotriyur. His session offered hands-on training for parish representatives to improve sound quality during liturgical celebrations. The workshop emphasized how effective sound management enhances the spiritual and auditory experience of worship, ensuring that the message of faith resonates clearly with every member of the congregation.
Hosted by St. Joseph’s Church, Kourukkupet, under the guidance of Fr. Clement Balasamy and Team Carlo, the cultural segment of the event showcased the artistic talents of youth and parish groups. Through music, dance, skits, and creative performances, participants explored the centrality of the Eucharist in Christian life.
The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation from various parishes across the Archdiocese, each offering unique interpretations of faith and hope. Muttapudupet Parish emerged as the overall champions, earning applause from chief guest Pradeep Antony, actor and aspiring director, who praised the performers for their creativity, teamwork, and spiritual expression.
In his concluding address, Fr. Ritchie Vincent, Secretary of the Commission for Social Communications, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and organizers. He described Via Carlo as “a beautiful expression of communion and collaboration within our Archdiocese.” Reflecting on the legacy of St. Carlo Acutis, he said, “Saint Carlo teaches us that the Eucharist is truly our highway to heaven and invites us to use every means of communication to lead others to Christ.”
The ‘Via Carlo’ celebration not only honoured the youthful saint’s devotion to the Eucharist but also encouraged the faithful to embrace modern means of communication as instruments of evangelization. The event stood as a testament to the growing enthusiasm of Chennai’s Catholic community in celebrating faith through creativity, technology, and community spirit.