Alliance for Catholic Education
“You should really consider the Frassati Internship for this summer.”
“Fra-what?”
Reflecting on that conversation that marked my first encounter with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the soon-to-be saint and namesake for ACE’s business internship program, I’ve come a long way in my understanding of the avid mountain climber. His dedication to the poor, love for the Eucharist, and constant pursuit of sainthood demonstrate how true success is measured not by earthly fame nor fortune but by the depth of faith and the fellowship fostered in service to God and neighbor.
Far from the Italian Alps, I spent my summer in Los Angeles working for the Smet Foundation, an organization that supports Catholic schools in the largest archdiocese in the United States. In wrestling with how my internship might connect with the life of Frassati, I found that, oddly enough, it was on Hollywood Boulevard—a place often regarded as a tacky tourist destination littered with dreams of fame and fortune—that I discovered how I might better emulate Frassati’s faith in pursuit of sainthood.
As I walked down the boulevard with the massive, white HOLLYWOOD sign looming in the background, I looked at the stars on the ground with the names of famous celebrities who “made it,” perpetually commemorated on the streets of the summit of the entertainment industry. I thought back to Frassati’s constant striving for the heights of eternal life–verso l’alto. Rather than focusing on earthly aspirations, looking to celebrities for inspiration, Frassati looked to Jesus, the superstar of his life encapsulated in the star-shaped monstrance at Eucharistic Adoration, for guidance. It was through his encounters with Christ that he was able to “make it,” to ascend the peak of love which fulfills all human desire: eternal communion with God.
As I conclude my internship, I realize the essence of Frassati's life can indeed be mirrored even amidst the glitz and glamor of the City of Stars, for it’s not about where we are, but who we strive to be. Just as Frassati lived out his vocation in the mountains of Italy, I've found a renewed sense of purpose through my mentors at the Smet Foundation. Their unwavering commitment to Catholic education serves as a framework for integrating work as a vocation that guides one towards sanctity in both monumental initiatives and the everyday administrative tasks. I’ve discovered the depth of my faith in walking with my fellow interns, Jackie and Marry, around L.A., up mountains, down the coast, through Disneyland, and on the Street of Stars as we discuss our “high, low, and G-mo (God moment)” of the week. In striving to embody the spirit of Frassati, I’ve found that seeking sanctity is accomplished not just in extraordinary achievements but in every act of love and service, no matter how small.
The Frassati internship, then, is not just a professional opportunity but also a spiritual journey. It’s a chance to grow closer to God, to serve others, and to strive towards one’s own summit of sainthood. Verso l’alto – to the heights.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!