On this day we celebrate the birth of our country and the death of a beloved soul.
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
With gratitude we express appreciation for living in this beautiful country, for the privileges we often take for granted, and for the freedom to worship our Creator.
It is important to pause and reflect on these gifts, recognizing the value they bring to our lives. Moreover, the freedom to worship our Creator is a fundamental right that should be cherished and protected. In a world that can sometimes feel chaotic and uncertain, it is essential to cultivate a sense of gratitude for the blessings that surround us.
On the 4th of July, we at Verso L'alto Coffee commemorated a particularly significant occasion -
99 years ago Pier Giorgio Frassati died at the young age of 24 - July 04, 1925
Pier Giorgio's hidden life was a testament to the profound impact of living in freedom through his unwavering dedication to God. His example serves as a beacon of inspiration for all of us to embrace the beauty, privileges, and freedoms that we are fortunate to possess. By reflecting on his life, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the blessings that surround us, fostering a sense of gratitude that enriches our existence.
Through Pier Giorgio's selfless devotion, we learn that true freedom is found in giving of ourselves wholeheartedly to something greater than our individual desires. His life encourages us to seek contentment and fulfillment not in material possessions or fleeting pleasures, but in the richness of spiritual connection and service to others. In a world often consumed by self-interest, his life stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of selflessness and faith.
As we navigate our own paths, let us carry with us the lessons of Pier Giorgio's life, remembering to express gratitude for the abundance that surrounds us. In doing so, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the gifts we have been given and find greater joy in sharing our blessings with those around us. May his legacy continue to inspire us to live with purpose, passion, and a profound sense of gratitude for the beauty of life.
Pope Saint John Paul II's Homily From the Beatification Mass of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Rome, May 20, 1990
"Faith and charity, the true driving forces of his existence, made him active and diligent in the milieu in which he lived, in his family and school, in the university and society; they transformed him into a joyful, enthusiastic apostle of Christ, a passionate follower of his message and charity. The secret of his apostolic zeal and holiness is to be sought in the ascetical and spiritual journey which he traveled; in prayer, in persevering adoration, even at night, of the Blessed Sacrament, in his thirst for the Word of God, which he sought in Biblical texts; in the peaceful acceptance of life's difficulties, in family life as well; in chastity lived as a cheerful, uncompromising discipline; in his daily love of silence and life's "ordinariness." It is precisely in these factors that we are given to understand the deep well-spring of his spiritual vitality. Indeed, it is through the Eucharist that Christ communicates his Spirit; it is through listening to the word that the readiness to welcome others grows, and it is also through prayerful abandonment to God's will that life's great decisions mature. Only by adoring God who is present in his or her own heart can the baptized Christian respond to the person who "asks you for a reason for your hope" (1 Pt 3:15). And the young Frassati knew it, felt it, lived it. In his life, faith was fused with charity: firm in faith and active in charity, because without works, faith is dead (cf. James 2:20). "
"Certainly, at a superficial glance, Frassati's lifestyle, that of a modern young man who was full of life, does not present anything out of the ordinary. This, however, is the originality of his virtue, which invites us to reflect upon it and impels us to imitate it. In him faith and daily events are harmoniously fused, so that adherence to the Gospel is translated into loving care for the poor and the needy in a continual crescendo until the very last days of the sickness which led to his death. His love for beauty and art, his passion for sports and mountains, his attention to society's problems did not inhibit his constant relationship with the Absolute. Entirely immersed in the mystery of God and totally dedicated to the constant service of his neighbor: thus we can sum up his earthly life!"He died young, at the end of a short life, but one which was extraordinarily filled with spiritual fruits, setting out for his "true homeland and singing God's praises."
photo of Pier Giorgio Frassati - Alpinist
"Today's celebration invites all of us to receive the message which Pier Giorgio Frassati is sending to the men and women of our day, but especially to you young people, who want to make a concrete contribution to the spiritual renewal of our world, which sometimes seems to be falling apart and wasting away because of a lack of ideals. By his example he proclaims that a life lived in Christ's Spirit, the Spirit of the Beatitudes, is "blessed", and that only the person who becomes a "man or woman of the Beatitudes" can succeed in communicating love and peace to others. He repeats that it is really worth giving up everything to serve the Lord. He testifies that holiness is possible for everyone, and that only the revolution of charity can enkindle the hope of a better future in the hearts of people."
Pier Giorigo - the Man of the Eight Beatitudes
"By his example he proclaims that a life lived in Christ's Spirit, the Spirit of the Beatitudes, is "blessed", and that only the person who becomes a "man or woman of the Beatitudes" can succeed in communicating love and peace to others." - Pope Saint John Paul II, May 20, 1990
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