The few months of age that separate Pier Giorgio from his sister Luciana have tied the two together since childhood. They are sent to study together, together with catechism; educated without differences, they grow up side by side, developing their different characters and always maintaining a strong bond of community. Pier Giorgio's path leads among the underprivileged, the poor, the lonely; Luciana's path leads towards the bright and fascinating world of diplomacy, where father Alfredo operates.
A diversity caused by the Gospel breaking through in Pier Giorgio, but which instead of creating a divide fuels understanding and complicity between brother and sister. Luciana would write many years later that she often felt the burden of defending Pier Giorgio's candor from the misunderstandings of the world, and even from his family. She was the only person in the house in whom he sometimes confided, from whom he asked for advice. The only one who knew something of his authentic desires, of his many commitments to apostolate and charity, of the reasons for his "always running" toward something important to do.
Luciana also knew Pier Giorgio's closest friends, from his childhood friends to
me Camillo Banzatti, to the group of young Germans with dear Maria Fischer.
On the other hand, he did not know, except by sight, the young men and women of the FUCI with whom Pier Giorgio had close ties and frequent meetings, including: Marco Beltramo who with «Robespierre» (he, «Perault») formed the subsection of the Tipi Loschi called «Terror» and specialized in pranks; Tonino Villani, for a period president of the «Cesare Balbo»; Gian Maria Bertini, who would become a priest, as did Franz Massetti; Antonio Severi; Isidoro Bonini. And the girls, to whom the roles were reserved: Ernestina Bonelli, the «Excursion Director»; Clementina Luotto, the «President»; Laura Hidalgo, the «Secretary». For Laura, a courageous and faith-filled girl, Pier Giorgio would develop over time a feeling of love, which he would rigorously keep in his heart and which he would choose to renounce.
Dear Mom, I am sorry, indeed I felt very sorry that you think such untrue things. Mom's advice is always the wisest and is always good even when one is already old. This year you have been very far from me and I have been able to appreciate what it means not to have Mom close by who scolds us every now and then, but who in the evening gives us a kiss and her blessing, even though I am not alone, but have a dear aunt and a dear grandmother. [...] Dear Mom, forgive me again for all the little annoyances that I have given you, but rest assured that, if I have ever failed you, in the future I will try to do better, because I often think of you and always pray to God, so that He may give you those consolations that I, because of my defects, cannot give you even though I love you very much.
Kisses to you and your aunt. Pier Giorgio
Letter to Mother – July 19, 1922
Dearest Dad, tomorrow is your feast day and I am very sorry that I cannot express to you verbally all the feelings of my soul. However, tomorrow I will be close to you and I will pray that God may give you all the consolations possible for the Good that you have done and that you do.
Letter to Father – September 27, 1923
I know as a mother that you are a housewife and that earns you the praise of your distant brother. I would like to make a recommendation to you that is especially suitable for these times of Lent and it is this that you in these times that are of mourning for the Church prepare yourself with some small sacrifices and deprivations to be able to celebrate Holy Easter that if this year unfortunately we cannot do together materially, spiritually yes, because I in your prayers as you in yours will remember me and so that day as always our spirits will be firmly united in God.
Letter to Sister – March 13, 1925