It is amazing work the Lord can accomplish in the hearts of 325 teens and adult chaperones in a single weekend. From February 7 to 9, teens from across the Diocese of Madison made their way to the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells for the annual Frassati Fest weekend retreat.
Frassati Fest, named after its patron Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, is a weekend that provides high school teens opportunities to encounter the Lord through the sacraments, time in fellowship, and meeting teens from different pastorates.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was a young Italian man who lived his life to the full, seeking God in all things. He glorified the Lord through daily worship, the sacraments, service to the poor, and in sports and activities. He was an ordinary man who desired to fill his heart with the adventurous, selfless love of the Lord. Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized this year during the Jubilee for Young People in Rome from July 28 to August 3.
Aspire to greatness
Frassati Fest encourages teens to aspire to greatness, as Blessed Pier Giorgio did, and to open their hearts to the call to holiness in their lives.
This year the theme was surrender, meaning to give God access to every part of your life. This invitation was present to the Apostles, Blessed Pier Giorgio, and to every living person today.
Throughout the weekend teens heard personal testimonies from keynote speakers as well as from two high school peers who are striving to boldly live their faith. The talks focused on the theme, highlighting how the Lord desires for us to give everything to Him and to give it willingly. Whether it is relationships, school, vocation, or internal struggles, when we surrender to the Lord we open the doors for His grace to accomplish great works in our lives. The weekend concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
Calling on the youth
When asked about impactful moments from the weekend, one teen shared, “Staring at the monstrance during Adoration and being in God’s presence. It was so peaceful.” Another teen shared, “I made so many new friends in a short weekend. We laughed and prayed together. It was refreshing!”
Through the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and the witness of those at Frassati Fest, it is evident the Lord calls young people to pursue holiness.
For teens seeking to continue growing in their relationship with the Lord, we encourage them to register for upcoming youth apostolate summer programs including Love Begins Here, Totus Tuus, and Camp Gray.
Emily Wallace is the coordinator of youth formation for the Diocese of Madison and Caroline Locke is the coordinator of youth apostolates and young adult formation for the Diocese of Madison.