Pier Giorgio's love for Our Lady of Oropa

Something extraordinary is celebrated on March 25th whether the churches are empty or full.  God, in the womb of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, became one of us.  "Extraordinary" is an understatement.

Among many non-Catholics, a common complaint is that the Church honors Mary too much.  What could ever be too much honor for the Mother of God?

For me, the spirituality of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is so beautiful and appealing because it is so complete.  At the same time he is singularly devoted to the Eucharist, he is also devoted to Our Lady, to prayer, to works of mercy, to evangelization, to living a virtuous life in the spirit of the Beatitudes.  He is not the dreaded "cafeteria Catholic." His solid grasp of Church teaching allows him to prioritize the daily reception of the Eucharist without neglecting to be a faithful servant of the poor.

For him, there could be no limit to the honor due the Blessed Mother.  His rosary was his constant companion.  He belonged to many Marian organizations and prayed the Little Office of Our Lady.

And like so many of us, he had a special fondness for her under a particular title.  The Fatima apparitions took place just seven years before he died.  The happenings at Lourdes were somewhat better known but also relatively recent.  Without a doubt, it was the centuries-old local devotion that captivated him.

Of course, for an Italian, this is not at all unusual.  Every area has their special customs, wines, cheeses, and yes, even Marian devotions.  So, naturally, Pier Giorgio grew fond of the Madonna of Oropa -- known affectionately in that area as the Brown Madonna.

According to legend, she is one of the black statues carved by St. Luke and was brought to Oropa by St. Eusebius.  According to other legends, Pier Giorgio ran off to see her every morning that he spent in Pollone.  This is definitely a legend and not true.  What is true, is that he made a special trip to pray at her feet upon arriving in and before departing from Pollone. 

"On the 27th I will go up to Oropa and pray for you at the feet of the Brown Madonna, even if my prayers have little value." - Pier Giorgio to his friend Marco

It is always important for me to visit the Sanctuary of Oropa when I am in that region because I feel close to Pier Giorgio there and want to honor Our Lady as he did.  A portrait of him with a rosary in his hand now hangs in a side chapel in the old church.  It's a modern piece for such an ancient structure so it may seem a little out of place to some, as works of art go.  But given the devotion he had for her and the rosary, to me it is completely appropriate. 

I can see that it would be confusing and a little crazy to non-Catholics to learn how many different titles we give to one singularly spectacular woman.  But she deserves them all!  On this great Solemnity in the Church, although we are prevented from celebrating her at Mass, we can still give Our Lady the gift of a prayerful recitation of the rosary.  I also invite you to make a virtual visit to the Sanctuary of Oropa and leave a prayer at her feet on behalf of Pier Giorgio for the many people suffering in neighboring regions of Italy. 

"Tomorrow as is my custom every time I leave Pollone, I’ll go up to Oropa to pray in the Pious Sanctuary. I’ll remember you at the feet of the Brown Madonna." -  Pier Giorgio to his friend Isidoro

A fitting prayer might be one that was so dear to Pier Giorgio that he wrote it out and pinned it to his study door.  

"Virgin mother, daughter of your son,
More humble and more high than other creatures,
The constant goal of the eternal plan,

You are the one who so raised human nature
That your Creator did not hesitate
To be created in your mortal flesh,

And in your womb was gathered all the love,
The warmth of which fills our eternal peace
And nourishes this flower as it grows.

For us in heaven you are the bright sun
Of charity at noon and to the living
You are the running fountain of their faith.

Lady, you are so powerful and great
That he who would seek grace and not seek you
Is one who would try flying without wings.

Your blessings do not fall only on those
Who ask for them, but many times they come
Freely to those who do not know their need.

In you is mercy, in you is pity,
In you is majesty, in you is gathered
All the good of all created things."
[St. Bernard's Hymn to the Virgin from Dante's Paradiso. Translation by Dana Gioia]

Blessed Pier Giorgio,
devoted child of the Madonna,
pray for us.