His Three Apostolates

It is said often that the two poles of Blessed Pier Giorgio's existence were his love for the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Understanding that, it is not hard to understand the core principles that guided his spirituality.  He put a name to these principles when he gave a speech (excerpted in the paragraphs below) to the young people of Pollone in 1923. At this time, he was 22 years old and had already been receiving Holy Communion daily for 10 years.

With his description of these "three distinct apostolates," he gives us insight into how he lived out his spirituality as a young Catholic and a simple formula to follow to grow in holiness:

"First of all there is the apostolate of good example.  We Catholics must strive to have our whole life guided by Christian moral law. 

Then there is the apostolate of 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. The Apostle St. Paul says, 'The charity of Christ needs us,' and without this fire, which little by little must destroy our personality so that our heart beats only for the sorrows of others, we would not be Christians, much less Catholics.

Finally there is the apostolate of persuasion.  This is one of the most beautiful and necessary.  Young people, approach your colleagues at work who live their lives away from the Church and spend their free time not in healthy pastimes, but in vices.  Persuade those unfortunate people to follow the ways of God, strewn with many thorns, but also many roses."