An exciting twist to the feast day this year is his involvement in Sydney's
World Youth Day. As many of you have probably read -- or heard reported on Zoom -- the body of the Italian Blessed has been transported to Sydney where it will be displayed at St. Mary's Cathedral throughout the duration of the World Youth Day activities. Though the body will remain in a closed zinc casket, pilgrims will still have the opportunity to pray before the man who has become so dear to so many young people.
Two of our Basilian friends wrote about the arrival of Blessed Pier's body in Australia, you can read about there
HERE. (you can read about all their Australian adventures on their blog
Youthful Days Down Under. And if you're looking for more WYD stories, visit S+L Producer Gillian Kantor's blog,
Tall Tales. Gillian and her husband David have been working for the WYD team since March.... but back to Frassati...)
What is it about Frassati that appeals to so many young people? I think it's the fact that he's accessible, or maybe
real would be a better word. When we read about his life we see someone who loved life -- he loved the outdoors, sports, spending time with friends. At the same he loved the poor. He served the poor -- courageously!
In him we see a life that could just as easily, by the grace of God, a life that each one of us leads. He's heroic, he's humble, he's charitable, but none of it is over the top. It's understated, it's simple, it's
realistic. It doesn't mean that it's easy, but he showed that a young person can make a difference. You don't have to be a king, a president, a bishop, a miracle maker... but you can reach the heights of holiness as a lay person loving life, loving others, loving God and doing His will!
You can read more about Blessed Pier's life, as penned (typed) by Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica here on this blog, by clicking
HERE, and
HERE as well. Visit his official Sydney WYD Patron page
HERE for more biographical information as well.
Let's also take the opportunity to pray for Blessed Pier's intercession for a successful and fruitful World Youth Day in Sydney!