Today is July 25, the Feast of Saint James, Apostle.
We read at today’s Mass, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:26-28).
We do not have to leave behind the ordinary things of life in order to become saints. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati shows us this. His path to holiness was not marked by withdrawal from the world but by embracing it with joy and integrity.
He spent time with friends, enjoyed hiking and music, played jokes, and was deeply involved in public life. Yet through it all, Pier Giorgio never lost sight of Christ. His ordinary life became a witness to something greater.
Living for Christ
For Pier Giorgio, holiness was not about suppressing the good things of this world but about enjoying them rightly. He once gathered his friends into a playful group called the Society of Shady Characters. Their gatherings were joyful but always shaped by faith and service.
That is a good reminder for us on this feast of St. James, the apostle known for his bold witness. To follow Christ does not mean we must become somber or closed in on ourselves. It means living as fully as we can, loving what is good, building up real friendships and cultivating joy along the way.
Christian life is not about hiding. It is about living openly, honestly and joyfully for Christ.
Let us pray,
Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. 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.
