Saint of the Month- July

Again, this month's "saint" is not a saint yet. This young man, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is another one of my favorite young Catholic people. He didn't write any books. He wasn't a priest. He wasn't anyone famous. He was a young man with a big heart and love for Jesus in the poor. He was born into a wealthy family in the year 1901. His parents made sure that their children were not spoiled and instilled in them a great love or the poor. As a young man, Pier was involved with many Catholic youth-based groups. He was very active in all of them and was devoted to all that he chose to participate in. He loved to serve the poor and had many friends on street corners and in the back alleys of his home city of Turin. When he died at the young age of 24 of polio, his parents expected many political figures, as well as family members to show up to Pier's funeral. Instead, thousands of poor and underprivileged people lined the streets to celebrate Pier's life and to pray for his soul. His body was found incorrupt when the tomb was opened in 1981 and his body is now kept in a cathedral in Turin. He was beatified on May 20th, 1990. His feast day is July 4th. Pope John Paul II called him, "Man of Eight Beatitudes" because of His great love for all people, no matter what.

Blessed Pier, please pray for us that we may learn to love and serve the poor as you did. Help us to see Christ in everyone we meet, especially the poor.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10