I started the day with a very important meeting that lasted almost six hours, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. It was stressful, nerve-wracking, and emotionally draining. Before the meeting, I had to walk several kilometers (imagine the weather this morning was below 2°C) searching for a print shop because I ran out of ink at the worst possible time. I arrived late, gasping for air. Throughout the meeting, we skipped lunch, even forgot to drink water, and only had a brief 5-minute break.

During the break, I turned on my phone and saw messages flooding in about Pope Francis announcing Pier Giorgio Frassati’s upcoming canonization. Overwhelmed with emotion, I went to the washroom and shed tears of joy. Since 2015, Pier Giorgio has been my companion and inspiration, shaping the person I am today. I’m far from perfect, but I strive to please the Lord and follow His will, even though I stumble at times.

The Lord has been incredibly good to me, especially in these past weeks. Despite my many mistakes, He has never judged me solely on my sins. Instead, He has always stood by my side, offering me countless chances to begin again.

Today, despite how exhausting the day has been, I am overjoyed by the news of Pier Giorgio’s canonization. After 35 years of waiting, the Church will finally celebrate his unique holiness and his boundless acts of love and service, especially for the poor—virtues we, as Frassati Societies worldwide, aspire to emulate.

Next year, I will go to Rome to witness this extraordinary moment—the Church affirming the wonderful works of the Lord through the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Verso l’alto!

Karlo Cruz Garcia, Moderator – Frassati Society Philippines