Pier Giorgio's life, although so short, is still significant today probably because of the sense of fullness it inspires. There are no grey areas. Pier Giorgio leaps out at us vivid and fascinating, even if we sense his complex and rich personality that always finds new insights.
What is striking is the absolute lack of weakness: a young man who walks confidently along the roads of life, with complete trust in the love of the Father, through the enthusiasms and sufferings of youth.
Who, with a maturity that is astonishing, knows how to be both joyful and captivating in moments of happiness, as serious and attentive when faced with the problems of the world and of people, as hidden and almost furtive in the gesture of charity.
It is not just a matter of being particularly touched by Grace. Here there is a conscious response, a continually confirmed "yes". There is a commitment to faithfulness, pursued at all costs, even paying high prices. There is the ability to resist the temptations of the world, converting them in the effort to sanctify it.
Pier Giorgio's existence is oriented by an intense spiritual life. The daily Eucharist is the central point of reference of his journey. In order not to miss this appointment, he gets up very early, he gives up trips if they prevent him from going to Mass. For him, taking communion is participating in the intimacy with Jesus; he is seen in the pew, concentrated in a deep recollection, from which nothing could distract him. When someone asks him the reason for his work of charity, he will answer like this: «Jesus visits me every morning in Holy Communion. I return it to Him, with my poor means, by visiting the poor.».
Pier Giorgio's prayer, assiduous, frequent, is expressed in the ways of the time. He prefers the rosary, recited on the street or walking on mountain paths, with friends or kneeling beside the bed. He loves giving rosaries to friends.
His way of praying strikes and will remain forever imprinted in those around him. Warm, captivating, when in common prayer his robust voice rises almost to lead the choir. Collected, intense in personal meditation, so much so as to make one feel God truly present, the other with whom the silent conversation is taking place. He is, without wanting it, an example: the joy he shows he draws from prayer arouses the desire to imitate him.
Sometimes he takes part in night worships. Whole nights spent in prayer in a church from which he then leaves at first light, shouting with his Fucini friends the common joy.
He has a special devotion to Mary. When he is in Pollone he goes up to the sanctuary of Oropa very early every morning, returning when the family is still deep in sleep.
After a journey of rapprochement lasting about four years, Pier Giorgio asked to become a Dominican tertiary. He entered the Order of Preachers on May 28, 1922, taking the name of Fra Girolamo in memory of Savonarola. From belonging to the Dominican laity, which added to its habits the daily recitation of a particular Office dedicated to the Madonna, he received a sure and robust support for his spiritual life. Several friends, encouraged by him, followed his example and entered the Third Order themselves.
How many times in hotels or Alpine refuges, in the evening, suddenly, the din would dominate, which he himself had caused, or at least fueled by intoning the holy rosary in his deep, out-of-tune voice, which was inevitably joined by the other tenants who were not in his group.
Don Rinaldo Ruffini, ODB by Luciana Frassati, My brother Pier Giorgio. Faith
Pier Giorgio Frassati never missed the night adorations and, seeing him during the functions, his edifying way of remaining in recollection for prayer was impressive, in absolute contrast with the vivacity he used when he was with his companions.
Constantine Guardia Riva by Luciana Frassati, My brother Pier Giorgio. Faith
I would very much like you to take the name of Fra Girolamo, not because it is the name I have as the son of Saint Dominic, but because it reminds me of a figure dear to me and certainly also to you, who share with me the same feelings against corrupt customs, the figure of Girolamo Savonarola, whose name I very unworthily bear.
A fervent admirer of this friar, who died a saint on the scaffold, I wanted to take him as a model when I became a tertiary, but unfortunately I am far from imitating him.
Think about it and then write me your ideas about it.
Letter to Antonio Villani – Pollone, 31 August 1923
Dearest, thank you first of all for the good letter. You ask me if I am cheerful; and how could I not be? As long as Faith gives me strength, always cheerful! Every Catholic cannot help but be cheerful: sadness must be banished from Catholic souls; pain is not sadness, which is a disease worse than any other. This disease is almost always produced by atheism; but the purpose for which we were created shows us the path strewn with many thorns, but not a sad path: it is cheerfulness even through pain.
Then these days my soul rejoices because Marco Beltramo has arrived from Livorno.
Letter to his sister – Turin, 14 February 1925