Fireworks, Freedom, Frassati

            Happy Fourth of July! For those of us of America, today is the celebration of our independence; for those of us of Catholicism, today is the celebrations of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.  In 1925, Pier Giorgio Frassati died at the age of 24 with a life fuller than many who live to old age.  This overlapping of celebrations, in my opinion, perfectly coincides.

Verso l'alto translates roughly to "to the heights"

            My recent Catholic obsession is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, or as my friends and I
affectionately refer to him, Frassati the Hottie (is that irreverent?).  Good looks aside, Frassati is a man to be admired and I think a perfect Saint to introduce to youth groups and University students. 

            Frassati was born to a wealthy and influential family in Italy in 1901.  His father was agnostic and his mother was Catholic, but not invested in her faith.  Pier was a student, a political activist, an athlete, a friend, and a volunteer.  He was a young man much like the young people of today.  He faced our challenges, he studied hard (and failed), he was passionate about social change, he climbed mountains, played sports, he invested in friendship, and served others. 

            What I love about Frassati is that he had all the temptations to live a life of sin, yet he chose to live a life set apart for Christ.  This man on the fast track to Sainthood is an inspiration to the young people of today showing that it is possible to have fun and be holy.  You can be a lay person, you can still hang out with friends (in fact friendship is a wonderful way to live your faith!), you can play sports, you can enjoy life all while living for the glory of God.

            So, on this day of independence call to mind the words of Blessed Pope John Paul II, “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”  Pier Giorgio Frassati perfectly embodies this freedom as a man with the resources to do whatever he liked and the lifestyle of doing what he ought.  Happy Fourth of July.

            How did you celebrate the 4^th (I went out with my parents)?  Have you heard of Blessed Frassati?  Is there a Saint that particularly inspires you?  Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Drop me a line in the comments below!