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With the canonization approaching for Pier Giorgio Frassati, I've been thinking about just how incredible this man was, and how influential he has been in my own faith life. This man made holiness look effortless while climbing mountains, serving the poor, and living with a joy that was contagious. The more I reminisce on his story, the more I emotional I get about his upcoming canonization. So without further ado, here are some of his most powerful quotes that we can actually apply to our messy, beautiful, complicated lives. The Guy Who Made Holiness Look Cool Picture this: It's the 1920s in Italy. Pier Giorgio is 24, comes from a wealthy family (his dad owned a major newspaper), loves mountain climbing, opera, and hanging out with friends. He's basically what we'd call the main character - except instead of using his privilege for Instagram-worthy content, he's out here quietly revolutionizing what it means to live for something bigger than yourself. His personal motto? "Verso l'Alto!" - which means "To the heights!" And no, he wasn't just talking about his love of mountain climbing (though he was seriously passionate about that). He was talking about constantly reaching higher spiritually, always pushing toward holiness & never settling for mediocrity. When Faith Meets Real Life Here's what I love most about Pier Giorgio - his faith wasn't some Sunday-only thing. This man understood that following Christ means your whole life gets turned upside down, in the best possible way. He joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society at a young age and became one of their most active members, spending his own money and time serving the poor. His friends used to joke that he gave away so much money he'd show up to hang out with holes in his shoes. But here's the thing - he wasn't doing to gain followers on Instagram or TikTok, or for any recognition. When he died of polio at 24, his wealthy family was shocked to see thousands of Turin's poor show up to his funeral. They had no idea how many lives their son had touched. Choosing Joy "A Catholic cannot help but be happy; sadness should be banished from their souls. Suffering is not sadness, which is the worst disease. This disease is almost always caused by atheism, but the end for which we are created guides us along life's pathway, which may be strewn with thorns, but is not sad. It is happy even through suffering." His joy was far from naïveté. He saw the brokenness of the world clearly; he experienced it thoroughly in his own suffering, as well as through witnessing the suffering of others close to him. He wrote about how ugly the world could be, how much suffering there was. But he chose joy anyway, because he knew where his story was heading. He said: "True happiness does not consist in the pleasures of this world, or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we only have if we are pure of heart and mind." This man understood something we're all desperately searching for - that real fulfillment doesn't come from external validation, perfect circumstances, or even achieving all of our goals. It comes from living with integrity; from aligning our lives with God's love for us. Living Small, Thinking Big What tugs on my heart the most about Pier Giorgio is how he found God in the ordinary - in friendship, in nature, in simple acts of service. He wasn't trying to change the entire world overnight. He was just trying to love the people right in front of him really well. "Every day, my love for the mountains grows more and more. If my studies permitted, I'd spend whole days in the mountains contemplating the Creator's greatness in that pure air." (A man after my own heart!) It's so inspiring to hear about someone who found God in creation - who saw mountain climbing as a form of prayer. In our screen-heavy world, don't we all crave that kind of authenticity? The Saint We're About to Celebrate On September 7th, Pope Leo XIV will declare him a saint alongside Blessed Carlo Acutis (the first millennial Saint to be canonized! 🙌).  Pope John Paul II called Pier Giorgio "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes" and said he "testifies that holiness is possible for everyone." Not just for people in monasteries or with theology degrees - holiness is for each and every one of us trying to figure out how to live meaningfully in this challenging world. What This Means for Us So what does a 1920s Italian mountain-climber have to teach those of us trying to live authentically in 2025? Joy is a choice. Even when life is hard, even when the world feels broken, we can choose to live from a place of hope rather than despair. Small acts matter. You don't have to start a nonprofit or go viral to make a difference. Love the person in front of you. Give what you can. Show up consistently. Holiness isn't boring. Pier Giorgio lived more fully in his 24 years than most people do in 80. Adventure, friendship, purpose, service - faith enhances life, it doesn't diminish it. We're made for the heights of holiness. "Verso l'Alto!" isn't just a motto - it's an invitation. We don't have to settle for shallow living or getting by. We're called to something bigger, something beautiful, something that lasts. As Pier Giorgio himself said: "To live without faith, without a heritage to defend, without battling constantly for truth, is not to live but to 'get along'; we must never just 'get along'." Let's not just get by in this life; let's reach for the heights! Soon-to-be SAINT Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us! What's on your heart after reading about Pier Giorgio? Drop a 🏔️ in the comments if his story resonates with you, and tell me - what's one small way you want to live "verso l'alto" this week?Be sure to check out our updated best-selling Frassati tee to honor Frassati's promotion to Sainthood! (See our Frassati Collection here.)We use organic cotton for our apparel. See our FAQs here to see how we aim to implement Catholic Social Teaching (something Frassati lived out) and sustainability practices.Buy any of our organic cotton shirts & get a free Frassati organic cotton tote! (No code needed, just be sure to add tote to your cart.)

In these profound days following Easter, as the global Catholic community mourns the loss of our beloved Pope Francis and awaits in prayerful anticipation for what comes next, I find myself reflecting deeply on a quote that has long sustained the faithful through periods of uncertainty: "We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!" These powerful words, famously shared by Pope St. John Paul II during his 1986 visit to Australia, capture the essential nature of our Catholic identity. Though often associated with the Easter season, John Paul II actually spoke these words in November, reminding us that this Easter identity transcends seasonal celebrations—it defines who we are year-round as followers of Christ. The Eternal Hope of Easter What does it mean to be "Easter people" in times of grief and uncertainty? At its core, being Easter people means we live our entire lives in the light of the Resurrection. When Pope St. John Paul II shared these words, he acknowledged the reality of suffering: "We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection."  This truth feels particularly resonant now as we witness the Church's transition following Pope Francis's passing. Even as we mourn, we stand firmly in the knowledge that Christ has conquered death itself. The death and funeral of a pope—like all Christian funerals—is not merely an ending but a profound testament to our Easter faith that death does not have the final word. Meeting Glory in the Ordinary Our shop's tagline—"meet the glory in the ordinary"—aligns beautifully with this Easter perspective. The Resurrection transforms how we see everything, revealing divine glory hidden within the fabric of everyday life. Even in mundane moments and difficult transitions, the light of Easter allows us to perceive deeper meaning and transcendent beauty. This understanding transforms how we approach life's challenges. When we truly live as Easter people: - We face grief with the certainty of hope- We encounter change with trust in God's providence- We find meaning in suffering by uniting it with Christ's own passion- We discover joy not despite our difficulties, but sometimes because of how they draw us closer to the risen Lord Pope Francis: A Witness to Easter Joy Our late Holy Father Pope Francis embodied this Easter spirit throughout his pontificate. Even during his final illness, his witness reminded us that suffering united with Christ becomes a pathway to deeper communion with God. Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis consistently directed our attention to seeing Christ in the ordinary—in the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten. His life and death now join the great testimony of faith that forms the Church's continued witness to resurrection. As we pray for him and for the Church in this time of transition, we carry forward the Easter proclamation that has sustained believers for two millennia.    Living as Easter People in Uncertain Times As we navigate these days of waiting and prayer for the Church, how might we more intentionally live as Easter people? 1. Cultivate joy that transcends circumstances: Easter joy isn't shallow happiness but a deep-seated conviction that God's love prevails over all. 2. Embrace hope as our defining outlook: In a world quick to despair, our unwavering hope stands as a powerful testimony. 3. Practice resurrection living: Seek opportunities daily to choose life, renewal, and redemption in your interactions and decisions.  4. Let "Alleluia" be your song: Even—perhaps especially—in life's darkest moments, praise becomes our most powerful act of faith.  Carrying Easter in Our Hearts and Homes At Dappled Glory, our mission is to provide premium apparel and essentials that inspire and uplift—tangible reminders of the Easter reality that permeates all of life. Each product is designed to help you "meet the glory in the ordinary" moments of your day. In times of transition and uncertainty, surrounding ourselves with visible reminders of our Easter identity becomes especially meaningful. Whether through artwork bearing the words "We are an Easter people," or clothing that subtly witnesses to the joy of resurrection, what we choose to wear and display can strengthen our own faith while opening conversations with others. Standing in Eternal Hope As the Church gathers in prayer during this time of transition, we stand together as Easter people, confident that the same Christ who conquered death continues to guide His Church. We honor Pope Francis's memory best by living with the same Easter hope that animated his ministry. Let us, then, live boldly as people of the Resurrection—letting our Alleluias ring out not just in our words, but in our actions, our choices, and the love we extend to one another. For truly, we are an Easter people, and even in times of uncertainty and grief, Alleluia remains our song. --- We know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery — the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. 'We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!'" — Pope St. John Paul II --- Discover our collection at [dappledglory.com](https://dappledglory.com) and carry the joy of the Resurrection with you every day.

Finding Glory in Holy Week: Embracing Sacred Moments in Everyday Life As we enter Holy Week, that sacred time between Palm Sunday and Easter morning, many of us find ourselves caught in the familiar tension: how do we honor this significant spiritual season while navigating our everyday responsibilities? At Dappled Glory, we believe that encountering the Divine doesn't only happen at Tritium services—it happens in the ordinary moments that fill our days. The Sacred in the Everyday Holy Week invites us to slow down and recognize God's presence in unexpected places. Whether you're preparing a family meal, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before dawn, or taking a moment to breathe deeply during a hectic workday, these "dappled moments" contain their own kind of glory. The most profound spiritual encounters often happen when we're just living our lives—when we're present enough to notice them. This notion inspired our "Meet the Glory in the Ordinary" motto, designed to remind you of the sacred potential in every moment.  Practical Ways to Embrace Holy Week Create Meaningful Spaces Your environment shapes your experience. Consider creating a small sacred space in your home with our Dappled Light candle or Quiet Morning mug. These simple elements can transform an ordinary corner into a place of reflection, prayer, or meditation during Holy Week.  Dress with Intention What we wear affects how we feel and move through the world. Our tees and hoodies aren't just comfortable—they're designed with subtle reminders of beauty and purpose etched into every design. Wearing something that quietly affirms your faith can ground you throughout the day. Small Rituals, Profound Impact Simple practices like lighting a candle before dinner, writing in a gratitude journal, or wearing something meaningful can connect you to the season's significance. Finding Community in Individual Practice Though our spiritual journeys are personal, they're enriched by community. Share how you're experiencing Holy Week with loved ones, whether virtually or in person. Our Connection Cards offer thoughtful prompts for meaningful conversation about faith, doubt, wonder, and hope. Embracing Imperfection Holy Week reminds us that transformation often comes through struggle and imperfection. The path from Palm Sunday to Easter includes Gethsemane and Golgotha—places of doubt, fear, and grief. Our Dappled Glory philosophy embraces this reality: true glory is often found in imperfect, everyday moments rather than curated perfection. Moving Forward As we journey through Holy Week toward Easter, remember that encountering God doesn't require special circumstances or perfect conditions. It simply requires presence and openness to the glory dappled throughout our ordinary lives. Our products are designed with a sacred season such as this in mind, offering subtle reminders to pause, notice, and celebrate the Divine fingerprints on our everyday experiences. --- *Dappled Glory is a premium apparel and essentials brand created to inspire and uplift. Visit [dappledglory.com](https://dappledglory.com) to explore our collections designed to help you meet the glory in the ordinary.*