Holy Relics Expo of 2,000 saints opens at St. Theresa’s Church

Mysuru: For the first time in Mysuru, the Holy Relics Expo 2026, featuring relics associated with around 2,000 saints and celebrating centuries of history, human values and inspirational lives, opened to the public at St. Theresa’s Church on Manandavadi Road in Mysuru South this morning.

The expo, organised by Diocese of Mysuru as part of ‘Year of Faith 2026,’ will be open to visitors from 7 am to 7 pm till Sept. 14.

The exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to view an extraordinary collection associated with individuals whose lives have inspired generations across different parts of the world.

A steady stream of devotees visited the venue to pay homage to relics associated with revered figures, including Mother Teresa, St. Devasahayam Pillai and St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception. The collection includes sacred bodily relics, personal objects and liturgical materials associated with the saints.

According to the organisers, the exhibition has been curated from a collection originally assembled by Fr. Ephrem Thomas Manikompel, SJ (1942–2022), of Kerala, and brought to Mysuru for the special display.

Under the Carlo Acutis Foundation, Fr. Ephrem and his team curated and organised solemn expositions featuring more than 1,500 relics of saints.

Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Sagaya Pushpa Raj said, the Mysuru exhibition was the 204th showcase in an ongoing national tour that has covered more than 200 locations across India.

He said, the event was intended to serve the entire regional diocese, covering Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts and would offer local communities an opportunity for prayer, reflection and spiritual engagement.