Frassati's Friendship Beads

Kneeling beside Pier Giorgio’s bed in Pollone and praying the rosary using his rosary beads is an experience that ranks pretty high on my “special Frassati moments” list.  When I think of all the nights that he fell asleep there on his knees in that room holding those same beads... 

What would he have said if someone had suggested to him that 95 years after his death an American (and many others) would consider it a privilege to be kneeling at his bed and praying with his rosary? He would most likely have dismissed the idea as nonsense - as he did when he was told by his mother that the parish priests were using him as an example in their homilies.

But think about it: what would you say if I told you that 95 years after your death an Italian (or anyone for that matter!) will be kneeling at your bed and praying with your rosary?  Does that seem pretty farfetched?  Do you ever kneel beside your bed to pray?  Do you own a special rosary?

For whatever reason, Pier Giorgio really liked praying with a rosary made from the Jobs Tear plant.  According to his sister, he cultivated the seeds in the family garden with great care. Then he would take the beads to the local nuns and have them make rosaries that he would give to his friends.  After his death, these rosaries were precious reminders of their friendship. 

Pier Giorgio frequently placed orders with our sisters for rosaries.  On several occasions he wanted quite a few, and we found out afterwards that he gave them as spiritual gifts to his friends so that they could pray the Rosary every day.  The Rosary was very special to him, because he loved the Blessed Virgin so much and was so very devoted to her. -- Mother Serafina Soro of the Angelina Franciscans

I was given my first truly special rosary just after I turned 25.  My Italian grandmother died a few days after my birthday.  Not long after the funeral, I was at my parents’ house standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes.  Out of the blue, my mother asked me if I had a nice rosary.  And then she put in my hand the silver one that my grandmother prayed with most often. I don’t know why she gave it to me and not one of my four sisters but it meant so much to me.  (I credit that rosary for saving my life in a car accident a few years later.)

Several years ago, I was given a very special rosary by EWTN foundress Mother Angelica and recently felt compelled to give it to one of my brothers.  Although I knew he would appreciate having a rosary from Mother, his reaction took me a little by surprise.  He was so grateful for another reason that I hadn't expected. He explained that although he had many rosaries, they were pretty much plastic or string and he never owned a really nice one until that one. 

After seeing my brother’s reaction, I started thinking about how having a really nice rosary might inspire someone to pray more.  Maybe that was a part of Pier Giorgio’s thinking when he gave them to his friends. So, I decided to order a few Frassati rosaries from the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word just to give away.  (I love that they also handmake them with Jobs Tear beads!)
 
Not long ago, I slipped the last one to a college student who was kneeling in the pew in front of me at Mass one morning. I simply whispered that it was a gift from Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Sure, it's a longshot and seems a bit farfetched. But if someday years from now someone somewhere is kneeling at that young man’s bed praying with that rosary, well, let's just say that would rank pretty high on my “special Frassati moments” list, too! 
 
Blessed Pier Giorgio, devoted child of the Madonna, pray for us! 


Verso l'alto!   ///cmw