St. Carlo Acutis Relics Visit Ohio Prison, Inspire Faith & Healing

Relics of the newly canonized saint made a stop at the Southeastern Correctional Institution, offering inmates a rare opportunity for veneration.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Relics of St. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized in 2025, made their third stop in the Columbus diocese on Saturday, February 14, at the Southeastern Correctional Institution (SCI) in Ohio. The six-day tour, organized by local parishioners, included visits to other venues like senior living communities and a parish. At the SCI, about 50 inmates attended a Mass celebrated by clergy, including the Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo who brought the relics from Assisi, Italy. Inmates were invited to venerate the relics, which included St. Carlo's pericardium, a lock of hair, a piece of his bedsheet, and a fragment of his favorite t-shirt.

Why it matters

Bringing first-class relics of the newly canonized, millennial saint Carlo Acutis to a correctional setting underscores the Diocese of Columbus's commitment to reaching marginalized believers. It offers incarcerated individuals a tangible connection to a modern-day saint whose life blended deep faith with technology, potentially fostering spiritual renewal among a population that rarely experiences such sacraments.

The details

The six-day tour of the St. Carlo Acutis relics in the Columbus diocese began on Friday, February 13, with visits to senior living facilities and a local parish. On Saturday, February 14, the relics arrived at the Southeastern Correctional Institution (SCI), about six miles south of Lancaster, Ohio. At the SCI chapel, a Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, Father Matt Morris (the SCI chaplain), and Deacon Jeff Hurdley (from the Lancaster Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption), with around 50 inmates in attendance. Inmates were invited to venerate the relics, which included St. Carlo's pericardium, a lock of hair, a piece of the bedsheet on which he suffered and died, and a fragment of his favorite t-shirt.

  • The six-day tour of the St. Carlo Acutis relics in the Columbus diocese began on Friday, February 13.
  • The relics arrived at the Southeastern Correctional Institution (SCI) on Saturday, February 14.

The players

Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo

Arrived in the diocese from Assisi, Italy, with the relics of St. Carlo Acutis.

Father Matt Morris

The chaplain at the Southeastern Correctional Institution (SCI).

Deacon Jeff Hurdley

A minister at the Lancaster Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption.

Dr. Stephen and Mary Ann Jepsen

Parishioners of Columbus-Powell St. Peter St. Joan of Arc who organized the effort to bring the relics to Columbus.

Carlo Acutis

The newly canonized, millennial saint whose relics were on display.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The relics are scheduled to continue visiting other diocesan parishes over the remaining days of the six-day tour. Analysts note that the presence of the relics in diverse venues - from senior living communities to correctional institutions - may encourage broader participation in upcoming events, such as the Ash Wednesday celebration at the St. Thomas More Newman Center.

The takeaway

This outreach to the incarcerated population demonstrates the Diocese of Columbus's commitment to bringing the faith and inspiration of newly canonized saints like Carlo Acutis to marginalized communities, offering a rare opportunity for spiritual connection and renewal among those who may have limited access to such sacraments.