An Ordinary Christian
Maria Amata Di Lorenzo
Robert Ventresca (Translator)
Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819811622
I have head the name Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati many times, but until recently never really looked into his life. It is a name I came across in courses in school in passing. Or seen author authors and bloggers mention briefly. But after reading this book I know that I will be spending some more time looking at this man’s incredible life. For Pier Giorgio did more living and more serving in his 24 years of life than many of us who have much longer time on earth. He was born in April of 1901 and he died in 1925 on July 25th.
This book is very well written and also well translated. For sometimes when you read something in translation it feels like a bit is lost or that something is a little off. That is not the case with this volume. To be honest this book was so good that even while I was reading it I was looking up both the author and translator to see what other works that had available.
What an incredible story this is, it is about a Man with a heart for God, a man with a heart for service. And man who strove to be his best and bring out the best in others. Pier Giorgio lived a life of dedicated service, thorough his works of social action, his charity, his personal prayer and communal prayer life. He was involved with many activities including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic youth groups and catholic student groups. He was a Third Order Dominican. And he was involved with and helped establish a Catholic Newspaper called Momento.
This book does an amazing job of chronicling the life of this incredible young man. It follows his journey of faith. And also his physical travels back and forth to Germany a few times. It highlights the insight he had into the need for social justice, and his though was on the cutting edge of that theology.
But most of all this is a book about example. The example of speaking out when we see a wrong. An example of serving when and where we can. The example of making sacrifices and living completely for Jesus Christ. And above all doing so with faithful submission to the Church authority. But it is also an example of staying healthy in body, spirit and mind. For Blessed Pier Giorgio He loved being in the outdoors and climbing mountains.
I was amazing in reading this book about how much Frassati accomplished in his lifetime, and because of this story I am inspired to increase my efforts. This is an incredible read about man who loved God and served others, it serves as an example for us today. Very well written and translated and I highly recommend this book!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
Book about Pier Giorgio Frassati:
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4 comments:
Love this saint! Thanks for the review. How readable would you say it is for teens?
Peggy Haslar (sparrowfare.com)
It would be very accessible for teens.
thank you very much, Steven... I wrote this book many years ago, I wrote it with love and I'm very happy to read your review, thanks!
I have another 2 books translated in English: "Teresa of Calcutta -The Novel of a Soul" and "Don't let me go away". You can take a look at my website in English https://theworldofmariamata.wordpress.com/
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