Pushed around by the Holy Spirit

On June 10, 1915, Pier Giorgio and his sister Luciana received the Sacrament of Confirmation together at their parish church in Turin. He was 14 and she was approaching 13. (Mrs. Frassati had chosen to raise them almost like twins, as they were born just 16 months apart, to be a support and protection for one another in life.)

Although they shared this special occasion, Luciana retained no spiritual recollections about the day. Based on her research, the only person in the Frassati household who could give any insight into Pier Giorgio's experience that day was the family cook. Although 11 years had gone by, she still remembered asking Pier Giorgio, "What did you ask Him, what grace did you request from the Lord today as you were confirmed?"  He answered, "I asked for a grace for me and a grace for Luciana." But he refused to explain what graces he specifically asked for because, as he said, "...if you tell anyone what grace you asked, the Lord won’t grant it anymore."

It's not possible to know for sure what was in Pier Giorgio's heart or mind on his Confirmation day. But the impact of the Holy Spirit on his life is impossible to miss. Charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity (kindness), goodness, longanimity (long-suffering), mildness, faith, modesty, continency (self-restraint), chastity. These 12 fruits of the Spirit were overflowing in him and nourished all those fortunate enough to cross his path.

It brings to mind the frequent advice and admonition of a beloved Nashville priest who is now with the Lord. "Do! Say!", would come from his gruff old voice on the other side of the confessional screen. "Can you remember those two words?" And then he would explain, "When you get up in the morning, ask the Holy Spirit to push you around. Ask him to only let you do or say the things you really should. Anything more would be pride and anything less would be sloth. Do! Say! Got it?"

I think of Pier Giorgio when I remember that good advice. It's easy to see how he let the Holy Spirit push him around because nearly everything he did and said was impactful. He wasn't sinless and he wasn't perfect but he was living and not existing. He was growing in virtue and bearing fruit until he drew his last breath. Even then, he had such a humble view of himself, writing:

"Surely Divine Providence in His Marvelous Plans sometimes uses us miserable little twigs to do Good..."

What a world this would be if we could all become "miserable little twigs" like Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati! With the Holy Spirit pushing us around, we can. In the wake of Pentecost Sunday, this is as good a time as any to give it a try. Do! Say! Got it?

Verso l'alto!  ///cmw