by Luciana Frassati
Luciana Frassati wrote this book about her dearly loved brother, Blessed Pier Giorgia Frassati. It is not a formal biography, more a pouring out of her remembrances of his great love for others with many quotes from friends and family members.
Not only is Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati a man of humility and generosity, but the book provides some background on the state of Italy during the World War I and the years following. It shows how some Catholics struggled against the regime and that good people did indeed live in countries like Italy and Germany when their governments were spreading fear and war.
During a Fascist attack on his home, Bl. Pier did not hesitate to leap to the defense of his mother and household. A young man of humility and faith does not mean a young man who cannot physically stand strong between the people he loves and one who wishes them harm. There is a tendency in American culture to view saints as weak, but our young men and women need to understand that there are many ways to be an example of heroic faith.
In addition, Bl. Pier struggled mightily as a student. He was often unsuccessful when taking his exams, requiring multiple attempts to pass. Yet he continued to study for the degree he felt was his vocation, engineering.
Bl. Pier was the heart of an informal society, united by faith in the spirit of joyfulness and friendship.
Bl. Pier was joyful in the midst of an unhappy family, perseverant in maintaining his studies, generous with his time in friendship with the poor. There may be other books about Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, but this one is worth reading for the frankness of the telling of his life by his dear sister.
This could be a good choice for Mater Amabilis™ Level 4 students as a twentieth-century saint or blessed. Though he dies as a young man, he does not perish through martyrdom or in a concentration camp, so he is a good choice for the sensitive student.
I have received nothing for this post of my own opinions. I found this book on a shelf at our parish (and will return it for those who are local). Links to Amazon are affiliate links.
Not only is Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati a man of humility and generosity, but the book provides some background on the state of Italy during the World War I and the years following. It shows how some Catholics struggled against the regime and that good people did indeed live in countries like Italy and Germany when their governments were spreading fear and war.
During a Fascist attack on his home, Bl. Pier did not hesitate to leap to the defense of his mother and household. A young man of humility and faith does not mean a young man who cannot physically stand strong between the people he loves and one who wishes them harm. There is a tendency in American culture to view saints as weak, but our young men and women need to understand that there are many ways to be an example of heroic faith.
In addition, Bl. Pier struggled mightily as a student. He was often unsuccessful when taking his exams, requiring multiple attempts to pass. Yet he continued to study for the degree he felt was his vocation, engineering.
Bl. Pier was the heart of an informal society, united by faith in the spirit of joyfulness and friendship.
The members, however, followed no rules and attended no set meetings. Everything was improvised. The important thing was to be together as much as possible under the great ensign of the faith.
Pier Giorgio realized that the group's steadfastness could also nourish a common enthusiasm for the Christian apostolate. For this he used his favorite instrument, high spirits, which, in its various forms, flourished in the society, creating a collective spirit and uniting all under the magic sign of laughter.He is also a marvelous example of a young man who was not physically active instead of prayerful, but instead was prayerful in his love of skiing and mountain climbing. H wrote to a friend:
These Alpine climbs have a strange magic in them so that no matter how many times they are repeated and however alike they are, they are never boring, in the same way as the experience of spring is never boring but fills our spirit with gladness and delight.He encouraged his friends to leave the city for the fresh air of the surrounding country and to strengthen their spirit just as they strengthened their muscles.
Bl. Pier was joyful in the midst of an unhappy family, perseverant in maintaining his studies, generous with his time in friendship with the poor. There may be other books about Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, but this one is worth reading for the frankness of the telling of his life by his dear sister.
This could be a good choice for Mater Amabilis™ Level 4 students as a twentieth-century saint or blessed. Though he dies as a young man, he does not perish through martyrdom or in a concentration camp, so he is a good choice for the sensitive student.
I have received nothing for this post of my own opinions. I found this book on a shelf at our parish (and will return it for those who are local). Links to Amazon are affiliate links.
