Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta From left, Mary Bostwick of Youngstown, Denise Dye of Warren and Cheryl Williams of Girard look at the first of 152 panels documenting Miracles of the Eucharist Across the World Feb. 1. The Vatican-endorsed exhibit was compiled by St. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized by Pope Leo XIV in September. Acutis was 15 when he died of leukemia in 2006. The Italian teen had a great devotion to the Eucharist. The exhibit was on display in the hall of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in downtown Youngstown the weekend of Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

YOUNGSTOWN — An updated version of the “Miracles of the Eucharist Across the World” exhibit that featured reader-friendly examples of God’s presence in everyday life was displayed Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel / St. Anthony of Padua Parish hall.

Eucharistic miracles appeared as blood or flesh in the consecrated host instead of as bread and wine. Maria Pannozzo of Warren and cochair of the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at the parish said the Eucharistic miracles are scientifically proven and always have human blood from the left ventricle of the heart with an AB positive blood type.

One of the earliest examples of these miracles was in Macerata, Italy, in 1356. The priest, who was saying Mass in the Chapel of St. Catherine, doubted the presence of Jesus in the consecrated host. As he broke it up to distribute it, blood flowed from it.

Eucharistic miracles have continued throughout the years. The most recent one happened in 2014 in India and was officially approved by the Vatican last year.

The exhibit contained 152 laminated panels with descriptions and photos of Eucharistic miracles that happened in Italy, France, Austria, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, Peru, Portugal, Poland, Spain and the Caribbean Island of Martinique.

“This exhibit has a first-class relic,” said Deacon Mark Izzo of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel / St. Anthony of Padua Church. “It contains some of St. Carlo Acutis’ hair.”

First-class relics contain some of the saint’s physical body.

Izzo collaborated with Tim Mc Andrew of Grove City to bring the exhibit to the Youngstown Diocese. McAndrew is the founder of Laity for Mercy, which organizes and hosts the exhibit throughout Ohio.

Acutis was a 15 year-old Italian teen who dedicated his life to the Eucharist. He died in 2006 of leukemia.

In Acutis’ own words, “The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”

On Oct. 10, 2020, he was beatified. Two miracles were documented to him, and Pope Leo XIV canonized Acutis as the first millennial saint on Sept. 7, 2025.

St. Carlo was known for his work on computers and with websites.

“This exhibit is inspired by Carlo cataloguing and planning of the Eucharistic miracles on his website,” said McAndrew, curator of the exhibit.

In spite of frigid temperatures outside, Catholics from around the Mahoning Valley made the trek to view the panels.

Cheryl Williams of Girard said she came to the exhibit out of curiosity.

“I want to increase my knowledge of my faith. There is so much that I don’t understand,” she said.

Mary Bostwick of Youngstown said she saw the information in her church bulletin and was drawn to view the exhibit.

Bostwick and Williams attended with their friend, Denise Dye of Warren. All three women said they believe that viewing the panels, watching the video, venerating at the reliquary and reading St. Carlo’s words will deepen their faith.

St. Carlo believed that Eucharistic miracles are God’s reminders that he is present in the world. Some viewers of the exhibit said it is a nice reminder in our daily lives.

“The goal of having the exhibit was to increase awareness of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is the essence of the Catholic faith,” Panozzo said.

She hopes to reignite her desire to be present with the Eucharist through adoration at the special chapel at Mount Carmel Basilica.