There’s one role model every young Catholic young should be introduced to and he is Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Pier Giorgio was a attractive, active youth from Italy who lived in the early 1900s and he came from a successful family. He has passion for sports especially mountain climbing and he also had a great love for theater, art, music, and literature.
But at that time, only few knew that he also had a very deep spiritual life and a great love for the poor. To the extent that when he died unexpectedly at the age of 24 from a disease he got from a poor person, it was revealed that he had been secretly serving many poor people in his city. In fact, the crowd lined the streets for his funeral were so many.
Pier Giorgio was referred to as the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes” by Pope John Paul II when he was beatified in St. Peter’s Square on May 20, 1990. Pope John Paul II went further to declare that this young man is a perfect role model for today’s teens and young adults.
It’s true that he was devoted to God, but if you have a look into his life, you will find that he was fun-loving, athletic, dynamic, dutiful, friendly, interested in others, and loving towards his friends and family. All his life he was able to stay faithful to himself while staying faithful to God. And I believe that it is exactly what parents want for their children.
So, let’s take a look at what the short life of Pier Giorgio can teach our teens and us, too. He actually taught us how to live a truly fulfilling life. And these wise words of advice can truly make a difference this Lent.
