As we grow closer to the poor, little by little we gain their confidence and can advise them in the most terrible moments of this earthly pilgrimage. We can give them the comforting words of faith and we often succeed, not by our own merit, in putting on the right path people who have strayed not out of malice. 

Seeing daily the faith with which families often bear the most atrocious sufferings, the constant sacrifices that they make and that they do all this for the love of God often makes us ask this question: I, who have had so many things from God, have always been so neglectful, so bad, while they, who have not been privileged like me, are infinitely better than me. Then we resolve in our conscience to follow the way of the cross from then onward, the only way that leads us to Eternal Salvation. 

Each of you can contribute in your own way to relieve those who suffer. Every sacrifice of yours will be compensated in heaven because Jesus Christ has promised that all we do for the poor for love of him he will consider as having been done to himself. You don’t want to refuse this love to Jesus who, because of infinite love for humanity, wanted to be in the Sacrament of the Eucharist as our consoler and as Bread of the soul.  

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), born in Turin, Italy, was an avid outdoorsman and friend to the poor and the needy. He is a patron of young people.

This article first appeared in the October 2021 issue of the Catholic Herald. Subscribe today.

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