A newly canonized saint, St. Carlo Acutis, played a pivotal role in the conversion of Rajesh Mohur, the son of a Brahman Hindu priest from Mauritius, whose life was transformed through the holy teenager’s joyful witness to Jesus in the Eucharist and his profound love for the poor.
In an interview, according to Fides Quaerens intellectum, Mohur recounted his remarkable spiritual journey from a deeply Hindu upbringing to embracing the Catholic faith, inspired entirely by his encounters with young Carlo.
From Hindu Roots to a Search for the “Living God”
Mohur grew up in a devout Hindu family in Mauritius, where his father— a respected Hindu priest and president of the national Hindu Association—trained him from childhood in Sanskrit prayers and Hindu scriptures. At 16, he was sent to India, where he immersed himself in temples, gurus, swamis, and Hindu philosophical traditions.
Despite the peace he found in these religious environments, Mohur said he remained spiritually unfulfilled:
“I was in search of a living God… Something deep inside me could not be fulfilled.”
After returning home following his father’s death and facing financial hardship, Mohur migrated to Italy in the mid-1980s for work. In 1995, he was hired by the Acutis family to help care for young Carlo.
Meeting Carlo: A Child Whose Faith Radiated
Mohur vividly remembers meeting 4-year-old Carlo — a cheerful child with curly brown hair who greeted him on his second day with a gift of chewing gum. Rainy days were spent watching Bible-themed cartoons together, giving Mohur his first glimpse into Christianity.
Everything changed after Carlo’s First Communion. Mohur often accompanied the boy to Mass and witnessed his deep reverence before the tabernacle.
“His behavior changed when he entered the church… He knew something was different where Jesus lives. That touched my heart.”
Carlo’s Eucharistic Love and Charity Led to Conversion
Carlo spoke often about heaven, the Mass, and Jesus’ sacrifice — always with clarity and childlike sweetness. He taught Mohur the rosary, explained the Catechism, and emphasized the beauty of Baptism and the Eucharist.
Mohur was deeply moved by Carlo’s compassion. He recalls watching the boy gather his toys — even new Christmas gifts — to sell in the park so he could give the money to the poor sleeping outside the church in winter.
“When I saw Carlo’s acts… such a small child… then I got converted.”
A New Life in Christ
After four years of witnessing Carlo’s faith, Mohur received the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in 1999 at the Acutis’ parish. The family celebrated the occasion with a joyful dinner — Carlo choosing a Chinese restaurant “because it’s a special day.”
Carlo later told his parents:
“Many people don’t realize what an infinite gift it is to receive baptism.”
Carlo’s Influence Reached Across Generations
Later, when Mohur’s mother visited from Mauritius, Carlo spoke to her in English, sharing stories of Jesus and Our Lady of Lourdes. The teen’s gentle explanations inspired her to visit Lourdes for a week.
Upon returning home, she too asked for Baptism — and began visiting the sick, praying with them, and sharing Lourdes water.
“That was Carlo’s magic,” Mohur said.
“He converted me — and my mother, too.”
Credit: Quaerens intellectum
Comment here