Blessed: Pollone Pilgrimage

Brian Francis Kissinger II turned one on April 22!  He's taken his first steps, he has 2.5 teeth, adores his big sister, can say dada and (finally) mama, and still has the chubbiest cheeks!  Thank you to all those who donated to Mary's Meals on his behalf.  So far we've raised enough money to feed 31 children for an entire school year!

I made the blue frosting but bought the candies to add on top - I thought this one said, "Happy Birthday!"   Apparently it says, "Congratulations."  Good thing Francis can't read yet.

 Congrats on turning one, little Buddy!

After Francis' early birthday celebration, we put the kids to bed for a few hours sleep - before awakening them a little before midnight for a 13 hour bus trip to Italy.  We were very fortunate to travel with about 30 students and one of the amazing Resident Directors who arranged the trip to Pollone and Turin, Italy, to visit the sites from the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.  It was a 3-day trip - with 2 long nights on the bus and the other 2 at the stunning Oropa Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary of Oropa, located at 1,200 meters in the Italian Alps (not far from Switzerland and France), dedicated to the Virgin Mary

According to tradition, the statue of the Virgin Mary was brought to Oropa in the 4th Century A.D. by Saint Eusebius

On Friday, Francis' birthday, we took the bus about 45 minutes down the mountain to the town of Pollone.  Pollone is where the Frassati family had their summer home.

Pier Giorgio's mother painted this portrait of him, which hangs in the entry way of the house.

We were able to visit his bedroom and hold his skis and mountain axe.

Yup, same axe....

Mountain climbing was one of Pier Giorgio's favorite sports.  Outings in the mountains, which he organized with his friends, also served as a chance to tell others about God.  

Into the mountains we went.  Retracing a path that Pier Giorgio often took, we hiked 5 hours up the mountain.  It was the hardest, and most rewarding, hike I've ever done!  We never would have been able to complete it without the students taking turns to help carry our children up the mountain. 

A few hours into the hike....still feeling good....

An hour later, not feeling as good....notice the students ahead of us - they're the ones carrying our kids....

Starting to get colder....time to put on our jackets (here we encountered our first patch of snow right behind the rock)....

Almost there....just kidding....false summit!

That's the cloud line....

Almost there....

We made it!!! 

"The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ." - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

We joined the students for a time of praise and worship at the top (in the freezing cold) and then began our two-hour descent down the other side of the mountain to the Sanctuary of Oropa.

I wasn't able to take too many pictures on the way down as it was quite steep and slippery.  But the views were amazing!

Eight hours after we began the hike, we arrived back at the Oropa Sanctuary.

The next day we went to Turin, about 2 hours away.  Pier Giorgio grew up in Turin and he is buried here at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

The cathedral also holds the Shroud of Turin, which is not currently on display.

We also visited the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians.  Here St. John Bosco is buried.

As well as St. Dominic Savio.

After Mass, pizza, wine, and gelato we boarded the bus and were back in Gaming by 11am on Sunday.  It was an amazing trip....a great first "birthday party" for Francis :)

As we gave thanks to God for Francis' life on this pilgrimage, we also praised Him for Gianna Rose, the daughter of our dear friends, who was born and then went to Heaven just a few days later - one year ago.

Through the intercession of Pier Giorgio (who St. Pope John Paul II called 'The Man of the Eight Beatitudes'), John Bosco, Dominic Savio, and Gianna Rose - I was able to grow closer to Jesus and to gain a greater of understanding of what it means to be "blessed."


Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs in the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evils against you because of me. 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

- Matthew 5: 3-11