Get THE PACT kit and join the revolution of charity!
When Pier Giorgio Frassati died in 1925, he left behind a legacy of charity. His family did not know during his lifetime all of the sacrifices that he made to help those in need around him. Now YOU can pick up where he left off!
What is THE PACT?
THE PACT is a simple commitment to radically change the world -- one act of charity at a time. All it requires is your willingness to pray each day the Prayer for the Courage to be Great and to do each day one small act of charity. That's it!
Here's how to join the pact online:
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Complete THE PACT pledge form.
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Send for THE PACTTM pledge kit ($1.00 + S&H). The kit is optional but consists of everything you need to participate in THE PACT. It includes the Prayer for the Courage to be Great, a pledge card and a cool band to remind you that you are a part of THE PACT.
Why is it called THE PACT?
The name comes from Pier Giorgio's own desire to be forever united to his friends through prayer and action. On January 15, 1925, he wrote to his friend Isidoro Bonini, "I would like for us to pledge a pact that knows no earthly boundaries or temporal limits: union in prayer."
Pier Giorgio also spoke often about what he called "the apostolate of charity." On July 29, 1923, he gave a speech to the youth of Pollone urging them to charity "by going among those who suffer and comforting them, among the unfortunate and saying a comforting word to them, because the Catholic religion is based on charity which is nothing other than the most perfect Love."
In his notes for another speech on charity made to the Federation of Italian Catholic Students, Pier Giorgio wrote, "Every one of you knows that the foundation of our religion is charity. Without it all our religion would crumble, because we would not truly be Catholics as long as we did not carry out or rather shape our whole life by the two commandments in which the essence of the Catholic Faith lies: to love God with all our strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves."
According to his sister Luciana, Pier Giorgio copied by hand St. Paul's Hymn of Charity in order to always have it with him. After his death, the countless acts of charity he performed became known. Sometimes it was simply giving away his bus money and walking home. Sometimes it was helping someone find a job. Sometimes it was bringing others to Mass. Sometimes it was writing a note of sympathy upon the death of a friend's relative. Sometimes it was taking a break on a long mountain hike when he was not tired but knew that others were. Sometimes it was giving away his coat or shoes to someone who had none. Sometimes it was the smile that was always on his face or his willingness to sing even though he was always out of tune. Pier Giorgio had no formula for charity other than putting the needs of his neighbor first. He asked, "What would life be without acts of charity?"
Pier Giorgio's life of charity challenges us to aspire to that same level of greatness. He already showed us how easy it can be. So, say the prayer, do the act. Join the others who have joined THE PACT!
See the list of all those who have already joined THE PACT!