Quebec Catholic Louise Normandeau has been given a rare and intimate glimpse into the soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis.

While millions of Catholics and Christians around the world have come to learn about this “Thomas Aquinas in Blue Jeans” via sermons, books and a diverse slate of online media — a domain where the teenager joyfully thrived — Normandeau has directly met Acutis’ mother on several occasions.

In 2022, Acutis’ schoolteacher, Valentina Quadrio, provided Normandeau with Antonia Salzano’s phone number. Salzano agreed to meet and greet Normandeau and her fellow Quebec pilgrims in Assisi.

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Normandeau reminisced about the graciousness Salzano exhibited during the nearly one-hour audience.

“She was very generous,” recalled Normandeau. “She spoke about (Carlo) and answered all the questions we had about her son. Mrs. Salzano was very proud of Carlo’s message, and now she visits many different countries to speak of Carlo’s faith. Every year since, I come to Milan and Assisi, I call her and I meet her, Valentina and Rajesh Mohur who lives with the family.”

Mohur’s conversion story from Hinduism to Catholicism has been well-publicized in the several years leading up to the Sept. 7 canonization of Acutis. The longtime au pair for the Acutis household was amazed and touched by the way the young boy in his charge spoke about his faith, honoured God in church, exuded reverence for the Eucharist and performed innumerable acts of generosity.

“When I saw Carlo’s acts, you know, of such a small child, then I got converted,” said Mohur in an interview with Catholic News Agency correspondent Courtney Mares.                           

Time and time again, young Carlo astonished Mohur and so many others in his orbit with his charism to tenderly and wisely speak about every precept about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith.

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Before passing from leukemia at age 15, Acutis sought to help others from all corners of the world become knowledgeable about the faith with his website documenting Eucharistic miracles throughout history and communicates the doctrine that Jesus Christ is present in the consecrated host Catholics receive each Sunday.                                                               

Now that Acutis is no longer here on Earth to evangelize, Salzano and his dad, Andrea Acutis, honour their son by continuing his work, said Normandeau.

“It is important for them to transmit Carlo’s message,” said Normandeau. “They share his message of faith through prayer, Mass, the Eucharist and the Rosary. She wrote two books, one alone and one with her husband, which both speak to the importance of being near the Lord and putting your life in His hands.”

In July, The Catholic Register spotlighted Salzano and Acutis’ book God’s Influencer: Holy Advice by Carlo Acutis, which chronicles how their son’s example of faith led them both back to God. The book also featured spiritual writing from Acutis himself.

The following is a meditation he penned about the presence of God:

“The Lord looks at me and I look at Him. His gazing enriches me. I let the Lord observe me, dig into me, so He can form my soul. That He might shape me. He is truly present. It is not an invention — He is there. If only everyone could realize this, they would run to Him. If people would believe in this truth, how it would change their lives."

Acutis' devotion to God has transfigured Normandeau’s life across the Atlantic Ocean in Quebec. Her love for Acutis has inspired her to deliver presentations in schools and parishes in her native province, Ontario, New Brunswick, and soon, Manitoba. She will return from the canonization and embark upon a multi-week tour to various French-speaking parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface.

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In addition to her slideshow presentation, Normandeau has also devoted extensive time in recent years to showcasing the traveling exhibit on 136 Eucharistic miracles, created by Acutis, at various houses of worship.

Normandeau told the Register that meeting Salzano at the canonization is unlikely, considering how extremely busy this period will be for the family. However, she does intend to visit her friend again in early 2026, accompanied by another group of Quebec Catholics eager to meet the mother of the first millennial saint.