DAILY MEDITATION (SUNDAY, AUGUST 23)
MEDITATION OF THE DAY
Hell Shall Not Prevail
In order for our life to be Christian, it must be a continual renunciation, a continual sacrifice, which however is not burdensome when only we think about what these few years passed in sorrow are, compared with a happy eternity, where joy will have no measure nor end, and where we will enjoy a peace beyond anything we could imagine. And so, young people, learn how to sacrifice from our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to atone for our horrible sins, he sacrificed himself as an Innocent Victim on Calvary, and he renews this wonderful sacrifice every day in every part of the world during Holy Mass….
Hold high the place that the Lord in his goodness has wanted to award you. The times which we are going through are difficult, because persecution against the Church rages as cruelly as ever. But you fearless and good young people, do not be afraid because of this small problem. Bear in mind the fact that the Church is a divine institution that cannot end and will endure until the end of the world, and the gates of hell will not prevail against her. Therefore keep this beautiful white flag [of “Catholic Youth”] immaculate, and if the occasion should present itself tomorrow, defend it, because from now on it is sacred: it not only represents your club, it also represents the most beautiful patrimony of our Italy and of the civilized world. And in order to bring these poor words of mine to an end, let me cry out with you: Long live Jesus Christ! Long live the Pope!
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati († 1925), born in Turin, Italy, was an avid outdoorsman and friend to the poor and the needy. He died at the age of twenty-four and is a patron of young people. [From Letters to His Friends and Family, Father Timothy E. Deeter, Tr. © 2009, Wanda Gawronska, Fathers and Brothers of the Society of St. Paul, ST PAULS/Alba House, Staten Island, NY. www.stpauls.us. Used with permission.]
