Carlo Acutis, now on the path to sainthood, made his relationship with God the greatest priority in his life.
Despite his routine of studying and other activities, he remained faithful to attending Mass and adoring the Blessed Sacrament.
One day, upon arriving at church, he came across a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk, and was unable to hold back his tears.
Rajesh Mohur, who worked for the Acutis family for many years and accompanied Carlo on his church visits and errands, shared in an interview a beautiful and touching story he experienced with the young man.
"There was a homeless man sleeping outside the church—his name was Emmanuelle. We were going in to worship, and Carlo saw the man lying on a piece of cardboard. He began to cry. He was very shaken."
It was then that Carlo decided to take action.
"He asked his mother to buy a sleeping bag so the homeless man could sleep warmly, instead of on cardboard. Then he asked his parents for permission to accompany him every night to bring food to the man."
According to Mohur, Carlo was “always concerned about the poor” and made a point of helping as many people as he could. Part of his daily routine was setting aside some of his own dinner to bring to the homeless. He also saved money to buy blankets and other basic necessities to distribute.
On one occasion, when Carlo saw a homeless man barefoot in the cold Milan winter, he gave the man his own shoes and walked home wearing only socks.
Mohur also highlighted that Carlo was "a very special boy, with a very deep faith," and that he taught him many things, so much so that Mohur left Hinduism and was baptized into the Catholic Church.
Expectation for Carlo Acutis' Canonization
Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991, and later lived in Milan, Italy. From an early age, he demonstrated extraordinary talent with computers, which he used to evangelize, creating a website on Eucharistic miracles. Carlo was also known for his deep faith and love for the Eucharist, which he received daily, and for his strong devotion to Our Lady.
In 2006, Carlo was diagnosed with fulminant leukemia. He accepted his illness with remarkable serenity, offering his suffering out of love for God, the Pope, and the Church.
Carlo was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020. With the recognition of a second miracle, his canonization was scheduled for April 2025, during the Jubilee of Adolescents. However, the event was postponed due to Pope Francis’ death just days before the planned date. The Vatican has not yet announced a new date for the canonization, but it is expected to be announced soon.
This article was inspired by an excerpt from Rajesh Mohur’s interview for the documentary "Holiness Is Possible - The Life of Carlo Acutis," produced by My Catholic Library: