Today is July 14, the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin.
We read at today’s Mass, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 10:37-39).
These are words of radical discipleship. They remind us that following Christ requires everything, and we cannot hold anything back.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati knew this well. One of the lesser-known aspects of his spirituality is that he was a lay Dominican — a Third Order Dominican. On May 22, 1922, while still quite young, he made his profession in the Order of Preachers, embracing the Dominican charism of study, truth and preaching.
What drew Pier Giorgio to the Dominicans? Certainly the great saints like Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena. But also one who is lesser-known and controversial: Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican friar of fiery zeal who challenged the corrupt Medici rule in Florence and died a martyr’s death. Pier Giorgio admired Savonarola deeply, even taking his name when he entered the order. He saw in him a man who gave everything for Christ.
Losing everything for Christ
That same fire burned in Pier Giorgio’s own soul. He too was willing to lose everything for Jesus — his comfort, his reputation and even his life. His Dominican identity shaped his devotion, his intellect and his mission to bring Christ to others.
This summer, Dominicans from around the world will gather in Rome with young people for the World Jubilee of Youth, a celebration that will honor Blessed Pier Giorgio’s legacy. His witness continues to inspire, especially those of us in the Dominican family, who claim him as one of our own.
So today, let’s ask ourselves: Are we willing to lose our lives for Christ so that we might find them? Are we letting his cross shape our every decision?
Let us pray,
O God, who desired the Virgin St. Kateri Tekakwitha to flower among Native Americans in a life of innocence, grant, through her intercession, that when all are gathered into your Church from every nation, tribe and tongue, they may magnify you in a single canticle of praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
