"Pumping Iron" with Blessed Pier Giorgio

At the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912, the decathlon event was introduced: three days of competition in 10 track and field events.  An American, Jim Thorpe, brought home the gold medal.

Back in northern Italy, there was an 11-year-old decathlete of another kind in training. But there was no medal category for someone who could climb mountains, compete in ski races, bike long distances, swim, sail, canoe, fence, ride horses, pull heavy carts through the streets and fight off intruders with his fists. If so, Pier Giorgio Frassati would have been a contender!

His athleticism is one of his many relatable characteristics and was frequently mentioned in testimonies collected after his death. 

"He was healthy, strong, and tanned with eyes as clear as pure water..." - Emilio Zanzi, journalist.

" He was so physically strong, he looked exactly the opposite of what one would think an ascetic should look like." -  Costantino Guardia Riva, attorney

"My first impression was of his sturdiness."  - Maria Tasca, Ph.D.

Pier Giorgio wasn't streaming Peloton workouts or training in a judgment-free zone at Planet Fitness.  There was no weight room in the basement at the summer home in Pollone.  How did he get and stay in such amazing physical condition? Basically, he just took full advantage of the opportunities for outdoor activities in every season of the year in the area where he lived. 

Although he stayed in great shape, Pier Giorgio was preoccupied with pumping iron of another kind.  His desire for an iron will is what kept him on the go.  No Fitbit would have had enough memory to keep up with the number of steps he took walking the streets of Turin looking for people to help or visiting churches for Adoration.  This desire also kept him on his knees.

"I’m asking you to pray for me a little so that God will give me an iron will, that does not bend and does not fail in His projects."

Pier Giorgio encouraged his friends to work at being stronger spiritually than physically.  When one of them decided to get involved in a frivolous activity, Pier Giorgio wrote to admonish him.  "And where is Petronius’ Iron will?  That will which becomes Virtue when it results in self-control.  And you who were able to stop smoking when you wanted to, you want to give in to the first temptation of some ... man without good sense who doesn’t realize what he is doing organizing performances for the club which ... ruin the studies of young people by making them waste a lot of time." (Petronius was a nickname Pier Giorgio assigned Franz Massetti as a member of the Tipi Loschi.)

Pier Giorgio was troubled by his own perceived lack of will power.  A few months after he wrote to Franz Massetti admonishing him for not having an iron will, he wrote asking for prayers for the very same thing.

"[T]o put certain plans into action one needs an iron will, which I unfortunately don’t have, but instead alas I unfortunately have a will that is used to giving in; so I need prayers because only with them and through them will I be able to obtain from God the Grace to strengthen my will."

Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another."  We can make each other better and stronger in the spiritual life by giving good example, admonishing each other when we go astray, uplifting each other in prayer.  This was why the apostolates of persuasion and good example were so important to Pier Giorgio and why he ultimately created the Tipi Loschi Society. 

When someone close to us falls into bad habits or is making unhealthy choices, it isn't easy to speak up and offer fraternal correction.  At least three of the seven spiritual works of mercy, challenge us to be the iron-sharpening friend that Proverbs describes.  Counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant and admonishing the sinner can be awkward and difficult in any relationship.  It wasn't easy for Pier Giorgio either.  But he cared enough about the souls of his friends to intervene. As he explained to Franz,

"I know that I should not have been preaching because I’m unworthy, but believe that I have been compelled by that Love which unites us, which will be for us a bond of enduring friendship."

To make progress pumping iron in the gym, a good spotter can be invaluable. Not only to help protect from injury but to offer encouraging words and motivation to reach the desired goals.  A good spotter has to be strong and is often stronger than the person lifting the weight.  A good spotter has to know when the person is struggling and needs help as well as when to refrain from helping so that the weight lifter can draw on the inner strength to push through the workout. 

To make progress in our spiritual lives, a good spotter is priceless.  Strive for holiness so that you can be one for the people around you.  And ask Blessed Frassati to be yours.

Verso l'alto!  ///cmw

P.S. You might also ask him to help you find a holy spiritual director who would be the ideal "spotter" on your journey to the top! :)