Pier Giorgio Frassati, a Saint in Waiting

According to News.Com.au:

"THE body of an inspirational Catholic who died in 1925 has arrived in Sydney for World Youth Day.

The body of Pier Giorgio Frassati, who was beatified in 1990 by Pope John Paul II, has been transported from the Turin Cathedral to Sydney following a farewell mass.

Mr Frassati was only 24 when, after a one-week illness, he died of polio.

He became a role model for young Catholics because of his fervent faith and sunny nature and was noted for his charity.

At his funeral the poor turned out in force, beginning a devotion that has spread around the world.

On Wednesday at 12pm (AEST) his body will be transported to St Benedict's Church in Chippendale in inner Sydney where it will remain in the church for veneration until July 10.

The following Thursday his body will be moved to St Mary's Cathedral for a pilgrimage.

The coffin will remain on display in the cathedral until July 22.

The transportation of his remains was organised by Sydney Archbishop George Pell and World Youth Day co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher in conjunction with the Vatican Council for the Causes of Saints.

A possible road to sainthood has been propelled by a vigorous campaign by Mr Frassati's sister, Luciana, who wrote books about him.

It is the first time the body of Mr Frassati has visited Australia."

Profound words from St. Padre Pio

"The most beautiful Credo is the one we pronounce in our hour of darkness."--
St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Speaking of Saints...

I recently returned from Italy as most of you know. I had attended the International Congress for women hosted by the Holy See. I was invited by the Pontifical Council for the Laity to participate in the history-making event. It was an incredible experience - one I will be talking about and writing about for some time. In addition to the honor of attending the International Congress, it was truly amazing to spend time at St. Peter's and visit all of the altars and shrines as well as be able to see Pope Benedict XVI twice!

What I'd like to share with you now though, is my trip to Assisi after I attended the congress. I took two of my daughters with me and we went off on a two hour train ride heading for Assisi. We got a little bit lost when we arrived on that brisk and windy day. We eventually did get our bearings straight and then found our way to St. Clare of Assisi's tomb! I had been really looking forward to visiting and then there we were! We knelt down by her tomb and prayed and took in all of the graces that were awaiting us.


Here's what it really looks like with all of the iron grids and glass protecting Saint Clare's body, but my daughter turned off the flash on her camera and put her camera through the iron bars to get the above photo.





This is with holding the camera through one set of the metal grids with the flash off.

Review from Lisa Hendey at Catholic Mom.Com

Catholic Saints Prayer Book

Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey


In the introduction to her latest work, Catholic Saints Prayer Book, author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle offers readers a concise yet inspiring bit of motivation for cultivating relationships with the saints.


“Ultimately, we should see the saints as models of sanctity for us to imitate as well as tremendous intercessors, helping us when we invoke them. We should indeed seek out the saints who will surely help lead us to God, assisting us all along the way."


Catholic Saints Prayer Book arms readers with the tools necessary to come to know these holy men and women in order to emulate the lives they led. Additionally, Cooper O’Boyle’s lovingly formed words offer readers prompting prayers to build intercessory relationships with people who struggled just as we do along life’s path toward a relationship with a loving heavenly Father. Donna Marie’s book is just the right blend of biography and heart – readers will find themselves edified about the lives of the thirty two saints covered and inspired to turn to these holy ones for intercessory aid and consolation.


From spiritual “favorites” such as St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Joseph to lesser known or newer saints such as St. Marguerite Bourgeoys or St. Padre Pio, each chapter offers the details of lives well lived, stirring quotations, and patronage and feast day information. Cooper O’Boyle’s personally crafted prayers set this apart from other books on the Saints lives I have read in the past – Donna-Marie’s clear faith and beautiful soul shine through in each prayer and will encourage you to strive for sainthood along your own journey to heaven.