Walkin&#039; in Frassati&#039;s Footsteps

May 29, 2019

I've been walking in Blessed Pier Giorgio's footsteps for almost 25 years now. For Jake Hart, it's only been about three. So I was struck by how beautifully he captured in a five-minute film the intimacy of friendship with Blessed Frassati. I'm so grateful he has given me permission to share it! If you've been to Torino, Pollone, Oropa, Mount Mucrone, I think you will love seeing so many images from these places.

Here's the backstory: I've never met Jake but he wrote last fall to ask for some advice on visiting Italy and the places special to Blessed Pier Giorgio. For me, that was the end of it. Then, three months ago, he dropped me a quick note of thanks and mentioned he had shot some 16mm footage while there and included a link.

I'm a sentimental sort of soul, I suppose. I also believe the Lord works with us in ways known only to us. The day Jake contacted me was already an emotional one for reasons he couldn't have known. So I have to think he was nudged by the Holy Spirit to write to me that day. Who knows? I asked him to explain a little what inspired this project. Here's what he said:

"Quite simply, I made this film because of my devotion to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I found him at World Youth Day in Poland 2016. One of my friends on the trip visited his incorrupt body and brought back some pamphlets. She explained his story and I instantly fell in love. Though I never got to visit him in Poland that year, I read more about him as I returned to college- the last days of his death and the letters he wrote to family and friends. I marveled at his ability to be a part of the world, but simultaneously separate from it. He was able to go to parties, to enjoy time with friends, and study at university without sacrificing an ounce of his spirituality.

This was a message I needed at the time, as it was and always will be too easy to fall into the temptations of the world. Yet, I found a way through him, to balance my social life, studies, and spiritual life.

There is something so special about a young saint so close in years. If he had gone onto live a longer life, he wouldn't quite be the same. As I approached my 24th year, after three years of knowing him and asking for his intercession, I decided I would finally visit him along with my other favorite Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. I figured I would have to film all of his dwelling places for memories' sake and after looking at all the footage months later, I decided to cut it up into a film. This film is a collection of the images I gathered-- I hope it allows you to know him better and ultimately bring you into closer communion with Jesus!"

If you like Jake's work, here's how to reach him:

Jake Hart

[email protected]

If Jake's film inspires you to do a little walking in Blessed Frassati's footsteps, there is a section of the website to help with this.

Your five-minute journey starts here: https://vimeo.com/318774690

Thanks again, Jake. Verso l'alto! ///cmw