A Loose Association of Wandering Characters
4AM Departure to Journey to the Site of the WYD Vigil and Closing Mass with Pope Francis
WYD Krakow Pilgrims are forming a group called, Frassati Essex. In the footsteps of Saint Pope John Paul II and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the group follows the simple principle that human beings were made for freedom and need to create zones of freedom in order to grow and live their faith. In that regard, this is not a group with weekly meetings, directors, or set structures of any kind, but a loose association of friends that stay in contact and meet up when they can for any number of simple activities, such as hiking, skiing, movies, or charity work.
Pier Giorgio Frassati was born to an influential family in Turin, Italy. He was a witty, handsome, athletic, engineering student, who combined a deep spiritual life and lively sense of humor with his social life, works of charity and political activism. He died young of polio at 24 in 1925. At his funeral, to the surprise of his family, the streets of the city were lined with a multitude of the poor and needy, whom he had served unselfishly throughout his life (Learn More: http://www.frassatiusa.org/frassati-biography). Frassati Essex will follow this example by taking the Frassati Pact to pray the “Prayer for the Courage to be Great” and to do one small act of charity every day (http://www.frassatiusa.org/the-pact-).
The Vision:
We chose to be the Loose Association of “Wandering” Characters because of our partiality to travel. Not just any travel, but exploring creation with God to become closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and learn His will for us. Although that may be our group’s personality, we hope many Frassati groups will be born throughout Vermont. There is no limit to the number of groups. Nor should they be mutually exclusive; they can overlap and coordinate in any number of ways. Ultimately, we will encourage one another to make charity part of our everyday lives, whether done individually or as a group. Life giving action will become central to all we do, from the simple kind word to helping people in need. These acts, big and small, will help create more life in ourselves and in those around us, so we all can be fully alive.
We are just one group, but we also believe this life giving activity will create more Frassati groups. Like the beginnings of all life, it starts with one cell and multiplies.
The Great Need:
The need for many of these groups is real in our modern society. As Pope Francis calls out in his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel,
“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of His love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ…I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them;” (5-6).
Saint Pope John Paul II did exactly this as a young priest living in communist controlled Poland after World War II. He, rather unconventionally, was active with the youth, playing soccer, going on hikes, kayaking and more. In a time of communist government repression of the faith, these trips created a free space in which one could feel safe to express themselves and experience creation, faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. John Paul II’s efforts undermined and eventually brought down communism in Eastern Europe; however, we face a more sinister challenge today.
Unhealthy capitalism, the economy of exclusion, individualism, and idolatry of consumerism, money, comfort, and entertainment are engendering a covert repression of the faith. If you doubt this, ask yourself how comfortable you are talking about Jesus in the grocery store or at school or work. We also need free space in which to discuss and experience our faith and enter into “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.”
That is our goal, pure and simple; I hope you will join us or another Frassati group near you. If you want more information, please email vtwyd@savevermont.org
Christopher Dawson
Westford
Pier Giorgio Frassati was born to an influential family in Turin, Italy. He was a witty, handsome, athletic, engineering student, who combined a deep spiritual life and lively sense of humor with his social life, works of charity and political activism. He died young of polio at 24 in 1925. At his funeral, to the surprise of his family, the streets of the city were lined with a multitude of the poor and needy, whom he had served unselfishly throughout his life (Learn More: http://www.frassatiusa.org/frassati-biography). Frassati Essex will follow this example by taking the Frassati Pact to pray the “Prayer for the Courage to be Great” and to do one small act of charity every day (http://www.frassatiusa.org/the-pact-).
The Vision:
We chose to be the Loose Association of “Wandering” Characters because of our partiality to travel. Not just any travel, but exploring creation with God to become closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and learn His will for us. Although that may be our group’s personality, we hope many Frassati groups will be born throughout Vermont. There is no limit to the number of groups. Nor should they be mutually exclusive; they can overlap and coordinate in any number of ways. Ultimately, we will encourage one another to make charity part of our everyday lives, whether done individually or as a group. Life giving action will become central to all we do, from the simple kind word to helping people in need. These acts, big and small, will help create more life in ourselves and in those around us, so we all can be fully alive.
We are just one group, but we also believe this life giving activity will create more Frassati groups. Like the beginnings of all life, it starts with one cell and multiplies.
The Great Need:
The need for many of these groups is real in our modern society. As Pope Francis calls out in his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel,
“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of His love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ…I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them;” (5-6).
Saint Pope John Paul II did exactly this as a young priest living in communist controlled Poland after World War II. He, rather unconventionally, was active with the youth, playing soccer, going on hikes, kayaking and more. In a time of communist government repression of the faith, these trips created a free space in which one could feel safe to express themselves and experience creation, faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. John Paul II’s efforts undermined and eventually brought down communism in Eastern Europe; however, we face a more sinister challenge today.
Unhealthy capitalism, the economy of exclusion, individualism, and idolatry of consumerism, money, comfort, and entertainment are engendering a covert repression of the faith. If you doubt this, ask yourself how comfortable you are talking about Jesus in the grocery store or at school or work. We also need free space in which to discuss and experience our faith and enter into “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.”
That is our goal, pure and simple; I hope you will join us or another Frassati group near you. If you want more information, please email vtwyd@savevermont.org
Christopher Dawson
Westford
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