Novena in Honor of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, Day One

Seeing as how I'm a huge Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati fan, I thought it would be great to do the novena on my blog again. The first time I did it was two years ago and, if I remember correctly, it was successful so why not do it again?

I'm going to be reading a couple of his books to review over the nine days as well so I can write something good on his actual feast day (July 4th). Side note: His feast day has a very significant to me in more than one way but I'll wait to share that on the actual day.

Special note: I will schedule the novena to go up at 4 a.m. PST every day though I won't be able to tweet or post the link on the Facebook page until much later. I am doing this so that my lovely Irish and UK friends/readers can do it as well (8 hour difference).

I owe a lot to Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati (i.e. graduating with the smallest loan possible after being told I needed to ask for a loan 10 times that amount) and I hope that he intercedes for those of you who do this novena as well. :)

Day One:

Jesus says:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Pier Giorgio responds:  “The faith given to me in Baptism surely suggests to me that of yourself you will do nothing; but if you have God as the center of all your actions, then you will reach the goal.”

We pray:  Blessed Pier Giorgio, teach me true poverty of spirit. Help me understand that God cares for me; and that He asks me, in return, to care for others, especially those in need. Guide me to make choices in my life which will show a preference for service of God and neighbor, rather than accumulating financial wealth and social advantage for myself.  Give me a special love for the poor and the sick. 

Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who is the Lover of the poor, all the 

graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare.  I confidently turn to you for help in my present need:  

(mention your request.)

Litany of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati 

(for private devotion)

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

All the angels and saints, pray for us. (Repeat after each invocation.)

Blessed Pier Giorgio, 

Loving son and brother, 

Support of family life, 

Friend of the friendless, 

Most Christian of companions, 

Leader of youth, 

Helper of those in need, 

Teacher of charity, 

Patron of the poor, 

Comfort of the sick, 

Athlete for God’s kingdom, 

Conqueror of life’s mountains, 

Defender of truth and virtue, 

Opponent of every injustice, 

Patriotic citizen of the nation, 

Loyal son of the Church, 

Devoted child of the Madonna, 

Ardent adorer of the Eucharist, 

Fervent student of the Scriptures, 

Dedicated follower of St. Dominic, 

Apostle of prayer and fasting, 

Guide to a deep love for Jesus, 

Diligent in work and study, 

Joyful in all of life’s circumstances, 

Strong in safeguarding chastity, 

Silent in pain and suffering, 

Faithful to the promises of Baptism,  

Model of humility, 

Example of detachment, 

Mirror of obedience, 

Man of the Beatitudes, 

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,  have mercy on us.

V.   Pray for us, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, 

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray:  Father, You gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick.  Through his intercession, may we, too, walk the path of the Beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in 

society.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

IMPRIMATUR, November 2, 1994: 

+Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.,  

Bishop of Beaumont, TX 

Remember to report any and all intercessions made by Bl. Pier Giorgio here as he's one miracle short of sainthood at the moment. :)

Anyway, no regular posts (unless it's something major) until the novena is done. I hope those of you who don't know who Bl. Pier Giorgio is will look into his life story (which is incredible).

I look forward to doing this novena with y'all for the next nine days. :D

As always, thanks for reading and God Bless. :D