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July 29, 2020
"With violence hatred is sown and then its evil fruits are harvested." - Pier Giorgio Frassati
In Pier Giorgio's lifetime, the rise of fascism in Italy brought with it a disturbing amount of violence. He was increasingly concerned about the infiltration of this spirit of violence even into the Church. He wrote against it and insisted that "the Catholic Faith is based on real Love" and that True Peace is sown with charity.
The violence came literally to his doorstep in June of 1924 on a day when his father was away from home. Although he preferred peace, he was prepared to and did use his fists to defend his family and the Church at various times. The news of this attack by the Fascists and Pier Giorgio’s bravery appeared in the Italian newspapers, and even those in England, Germany and the United States.
In his own version (below) of what happened that day, he tried to downplay his bravery because he was embarrassed by all the attention it received. However he made no attempt to downplay his opinion of the Fascist party "made up of a union of delinquents or thieves or assassins or idiots."
Writing to his good friend Antonio Villani - and never expecting his words to be made public decades later, of course - Pier Giorgio revealed his true, raw emotions about the political climate of his time and the loss of liberty closing in on Italy. It is a captivating glimpse into the passionate heart of the Man of the Beatitudes.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, patriotic citizen of the nation, pray for us.
Verso l'alto! ///cmw
p.s. It may help to know when reading his letter that Mariscia is the family maid, Italo is the family chauffeur and Matteoti was a politician who openly spoke against the Fascists and was murdered by them 13 days earlier. Also, when Pier Giorgio uses the word "Courageously," he is being completely sarcastic.
Dearest Tonino,
Turin, June 23, 1924
I’m writing to reassure you: you will read in the newspaper that yesterday we suddenly had a little invasion at home by the dirty Fascists.
It was a cowardly undertaking but nothing much. We were quietly sitting at table and it was a quarter to 1 when we heard someone ringing the doorbell. Mariscia went to see and from the window she saw a young man who was dressed well enough; so thinking that he was a friend of mine she opened the door a bit. He suddenly asked for “Comm. Frassati”; she replied in the negative he pushed the door open and then yelling out “come in” he came into the house along with five others.
We were quietly eating when we heard Marischa’s screams. At first I thought it was thieves, but on reaching the hall and seeing one of them about to cut the telephone wires, I immediately realized that they were the Fascists.
My blood raced in my veins. I threw myself at that scoundrel shouting rascals, cowards, assassins, and delivered a punch. Courageously, as soon as the swindlers heard the voice of one man, they ran for the door and fled hastily outside followed by me and Italo. Outside they made off in a car that was waiting for them. All they managed to do was to break 2 mirrors.
Afterward there was a coming and going of police inspectors, military police, investigating judges, Royal District Attorney, etc. They were too late but now I think that those guys won’t dare to do this any more, all the more so because they arrested Mariotti one of the leaders of the group of assassins.
They are shameless people; after the events in Rome they shouldn’t be seen in public and should be ashamed to be Fascists but instead they continue to give proof of what they have always been and will be.
These are their last accomplishments, the accomplishments of a final agony because now the government is so corrupt that if it doesn’t intervene immediately to surgically remove the party that is becoming a cancer there will be no more hope for us not even a little bit. We’re fortunate that today we can glory in this event and boast about it since we’ve always been opposed to this party, made up of a union of delinquents or thieves or assassins or idiots, in short today’s Fascism.
I’ll end now, I’ve poured out my soul to you because I know you share the same ideals, I leave you yelling
Long live Matteotti.
Long live Liberty.
Long live Christian Democracy.
Death to the tyrants.
Pier Giorgio
Note: This letter and many others are published in the book, Pier Giorgio Frassati: Letters to his Friends and Family.