In the presence of a second-class relic of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Fr. David David Bellusci, OP, spoke at a “To the Heights” event Oct. 25 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Astrid Alas)
An evening of reflection on the life and holiness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was held Oct. 25 in the Queen of Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. “To the Heights” focused on the life and example of the young 20th-century lay Dominican who died nearly 100 years ago at the age of 24.
Young adult and vocation ministry leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon organized the event in collaboration with the cathedral, hosting guest speaker Fr. David Bellusci, OP, of Vancouver, who has written a book about the young Italian Catholic who is on the road to being proclaimed a saint of the church.
“To The Heights” was a night of reflection about the holiness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati with (l-r) Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, Jarrod D. M. Daunheimer of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica, Fr. Gerard Cooper, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral, guest speaker Fr. Fr. David Bellusci, OP; Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen; Fr. Colin Roy, diocesan Vocation Director; and Christopher Ruest of Project Timothy. (Photo by Sr. Sol Abala, VDMF)
“It was a life-giving experience to be part of this event,” said Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity.
“Fr. David Bellusci brought us ‘To the Heights!’ Through the virtuous life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati we were drawn to awe of the extraordinary in the ordinary, to the sense of beauty and righteousness, and to be inspired to engage generously. As Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati would say: ‘so that the radiant dawn may break in which all nations recognize that Jesus Christ as King.'”
Blessed Frassati, one of the patrons of the 2023 World Youth Day held in Portugal, was concerned about helping the poor in the slums of Turin, the needy students in Berlin, but especially in contributing to world peace. His spiritual maturity was expressed by making sacrifices.
Blessed Frassati’s phrase, Verso l’Alto, “To the Summit,” expresses his journey ascending towards God. His life of virtue, love and sacrifice prompted St. John Paul II to refer to him as a “man of the eight beatitudes.”
The biography written by Bellusci, entitled Pier Giorgio Frassati: Truth, Love, and Sacrifice draws from letters and witness accounts, showing the young man’s increasing engagement with the world around him, shaped by his spiritual life.
Bellusci brought a second-class relic of Blessed Frassati to the Saskatoon event, which included prayer, a talk, and a time for questions.
RELATED:
Upcoming vocation event: a “Come and See” morning for young women 18-28 years of age, about the Sts. Benedict and Scholastica formation program in the diocese of Saskatoon will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; register before Nov. 28 by calling Sr. Sol Abala at (639) 470-8333.
Diocesan World Youth Day will be marked on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday, Nov. 24, with 6:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Hagemoen at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, followed by testimony from young adults. All are welcome.
Photos:
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
(Photo by Astrid Alas)
“To The Heights” was a night of reflection about the holiness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati with (l-r) Sr. Sol Abala of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, Jarrod D. M. Daunheimer of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica, Fr. Gerard Cooper, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral, guest speaker Fr. Fr. David Bellusci, OP; Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen; Fr. Colin Roy, diocesan Vocation Director; and Christopher Ruest of Project Timothy. (Photo by Sr. Marta Piano, VDMF)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Vocations, Communications, and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.
