“Bisogna vivere e non vivacchiare” - “You have to live, not just exist”: Pier Giorgio Frassati's motto has become that of Francesca and her friends from her Roman parish. We met them as they left the Mass sending off the Jubilee volunteers celebrated on Saturday evening near the body of the future saint, transferred for the occasion from Turin to Rome. His relics are currently in the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (from July 26 to August 4).
“‘Existing’ means remaining caught up in worldliness, shopping, going out ... whereas ‘living’ means building friendships that are truly rooted in faith, knowing how to put your phone aside, dedicating time to Jesus, and putting him at the center of our relationships,” says Francesca.
The young woman is involved in welcoming many other young people to her parish for the Jubilee. She repeats that being rooted in faith should enable us to “live real friendships, bonds for eternity,” without falling into the trap of superficiality.
Future patron saint of youth
In his homily, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of the diocese of Rome, pointed out the dead ends of a society “enslaved by social media, a minefield where we risk wasting so much energy.”
“We’re tempted to think that we’re united because we’re hyperconnected, but we’re alone, in a loneliness that kills,” he warned.
He emphasized that Pier Giorgio Frassati's very concrete faith showed the direct link between the “power of prayer” and a very concrete social commitment to the poor, which is the “sign of a life fully realized in God.” Frassati left a great legacy despite the brevity of his life: only 24 years.
“He was very young when he returned to the Father's house,” said Alessandro, a 40-year-old Roman who is one of the coordinators of the Jubilee volunteers.
"Starting on September 7, he will officially be the saint of young people. And in the meantime, for this week, he’s here for us, for the volunteers. He will support us. So it’s important to pray to him. His presence is an immense gift!" he enthuses.
Having come out of curiosity when she saw the gathering, Sister Berenice, a young Mexican religious, admits that she still knows little about him.
“We know that he’ll be a model of holiness for young people, so I wanted to pray, to ask for his intercession, that he may grant light to the young people of today, that he may open new paths for so many young people who are a little lost in society, in the darkness of life,” she explains.
The young sister emphasizes that “he was a young man full of light, who can really help young people to build a future of hope despite all the difficulties, despite the wars, despite all the bad news we hear.”
The enthusiasm of a “Frassatian” religious
Visible from afar with her boundless enthusiasm and charisma, Sister Rosaria, a Franciscan sister from Naples, has almost turned her congregation into a “Frassatian” community, her sisters joke.
“He is a friend to me, who has accompanied me since I was very young and participated in Catholic Action meetings. I owe him a lot in my vocation and in my discernment,” she says with conviction.
“When I first heard about him, he was described to me as a ‘young man who was always running.’ He was very committed to the poor during the day and reserved the evening for study. I was living a bit like that, so it struck me,” the religious explains. “I was really struck by his joy, by his conviction that a day lived with the Lord is never wasted,” she adds.
Her fellow religious, Sister Chiara, laughs out loud as she recalls how Sister Rosaria gave her Neapolitan figurines representing Frassati to help her pray. "I fell in love with him ... You can't help but love Pier Giorgio! And anyway, wherever Sister Rosaria is, Pier Giorgio Frassati is there too,“ she jokes, making Sister Rosaria blush. ”He gave beautiful witness as a young man who loved sports, music, and art, and who knew how to cultivate friendships," says the religious.
Regarding the postponement of his canonization date, originally scheduled for August 3 at the close of the Jubilee for Young People, Sister Rosaria plays down the drama and sees the positive side of the one-month delay.
“It would’ve been wonderful for him to be canonized with all the young people of the world, but he would’ve been a little lost in the event. His canonization on September 7 will give us another opportunity to meet, another opportunity to come to Rome and celebrate our faith together,” the religious rejoices.
