By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
CORAL SPRINGS | Hundreds of Catholics from across South Florida visited Saint Andrew Catholic Parish to experience The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, a Vatican-approved exhibition created by Saint Carlo Acutis that invites visitors to deepen their faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The exhibit, which documents nearly 100 Eucharistic miracles from 17 countries, drew parishioners and visitors from neighboring communities for a weekend of prayer, reflection and Eucharistic devotion inspired by the life and witness of the Church's first millennial saint.
The weekend concluded with the parish's 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, when members of the Order of Malta, the Secular Franciscan Order and the Knights of Columbus joined the parish community in a public witness of faith and devotion to the Eucharist.
According to Maria Castagna, custodian of the exhibit at Saint Andrew Catholic Parish, the parish's role as caretaker of the exhibition resulted from years of prayer, collaboration and what she describes as God's providence.
Born in Italy and deeply connected to the faith and culture that shaped Saint Carlo Acutis, Castagna said she felt called to bring the exhibition to South Florida. Through contacts in Italy, she reached out to the association responsible for the exhibit through its official website and obtained permission to reproduce and host the exhibition locally.
What began as a personal desire to share the beauty of the Eucharist soon became a parish-wide ministry supported by volunteers, parish organizations and benefactors.
"At every step, God placed the right people in our path," Castagna said. "This ministry became much larger than any one person. It became a beautiful expression of faith, generosity and a shared love for Jesus in the Eucharist."
The exhibition was made possible through the generosity of Saint Andrew parishioners and the financial support of several Knights of Columbus assemblies that supported the evangelizing mission of the project.
Castagna also credited Monsignor Michael Souckar, pastor of Saint Andrew Catholic Parish, for encouraging the initiative from its earliest stages.
"From the moment the idea was presented, Monsignor recognized the opportunity to strengthen Eucharistic devotion within our parish and beyond," she said. "His confidence, support and love for the Eucharist gave this ministry a home and allowed it to flourish."
Another important partnership came through the local printing company Printoly. Owners Paul and Ryan produced museum-quality display panels using durable materials and high-resolution printing while helping keep the project financially affordable.
The project also benefited from the dedication of Joseph Hanley of Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish, a seminarian candidate, who devoted countless hours to the exhibit, helped secure funding for the display panels and assisted wherever needed.
Lynda Papa of Saint Andrew Catholic Parish also played a key role by coordinating logistics, organizing materials and overseeing countless details throughout the planning and installation of the exhibition.
Together, Hanley and Papa worked behind the scenes with humility and dedication, helping transform an idea into a ministry that has already touched countless lives.
The exhibit's success also depended on the efforts of numerous volunteers, parish ministries and youth leaders from neighboring parishes, who organized a Youth Day attended by more than 150 young people. The event focused on the Eucharist and the witness of Saint Carlo Acutis.
Saint Carlo, who was canonized in 2025, dedicated his young life to helping others rediscover the beauty of the Eucharist. His well-known words, "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven," continue to inspire Catholics throughout the world.
Today, The Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibition is managed by custodians and organizations worldwide, bringing the stories of these extraordinary miracles to parishes, schools and communities across the globe.
As the exhibit continues traveling to other parishes, its mission remains unchanged: to help people grow in their understanding of and love for Jesus Christ truly present in the Holy Eucharist.
Castagna said the greatest reward has been seeing visitors leave with renewed faith, a deeper appreciation for the Eucharist and hearts transformed through an encounter with Christ.
"If even one person grows closer to Jesus in the Eucharist because of this exhibit, then every sacrifice and every hour dedicated to this ministry has been worth it," she said.
Those interested in hosting the exhibition or learning more may contact Maria Castagna at [email protected]. Additional information about the Eucharistic miracles documented in the exhibit is available at miracolieucaristici.org.
