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International Youth Day Reflection 2025
"Faith that Inspires, Love that Transforms"
"As I have loved you, so you must love one another." – John 13:34
Each year, on July 4, on the feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) celebrates its International Youth Day, where collectively youth members celebrate the energy, compassion, and leadership of young Vincentians around the world. For young members of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia, this is a moment to reflect on how we live out our Society charism, and our values— through faith in action, through good works, and through love that transforms lives.
Our work is inspired by a deep belief: every person has dignity, and every act of service matters. Whether we come from strong faith backgrounds, are still exploring our beliefs, or aren't sure where we stand spiritually, we are united in the commitment to walk alongside those in need — not just with words, but with presence, empathy, and action. We understand that being part of the Society is more than just action, it’s a deeper reflection and emphasis on not just tiding the poor over but studying their condition.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Model for Young Vincentians
Born in Italy in 1901, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati lived a short but impactful life, full of energy, service, and joy. Known as the “Man of the Beatitudes,” he was deeply committed to the poor, visiting them regularly through his work with the St Vincent de Paul Society as a young adult. Despite his comfortable upbringing, Pier Giorgio chose a life of simplicity, solidarity, and radical charity.
He died at the age of 24 from polio, believed to have been contracted from the poor he served. In 1990, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, who described him as “a man of the eight beatitudes. His canonisation will be alongside Carlo Acutis, September 7th by Pope Leo XIV, and he is widely venerated as a patron of youth, students, and young people involved in charitable service.
What Can Young Vincentians Learn from His Witness?
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Faith in Action: Pier Giorgio didn’t separate his faith from his daily life. He prayed deeply, went to Mass, and also climbed mountains, studied engineering, and laughed with friends — all while staying close to those in need.
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Joy in Service: He reminds us that holiness isn’t about perfection but joyfully offering our lives in love and service. His sense of humour and zest for life show that sanctity can be vibrant and fun.
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Courage for Justice: He stood up for the dignity of the poor and was vocal against fascism in his time. His witness encourages us to not be silent in the face of injustice.
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Living the Gospel Radically: Like Pier Giorgio, we are invited not just to help from a distance, but to befriend the poor — to know their names, their stories, and to see Christ in them.
As we celebrate International Youth Day on his feast day, we are reminded that love in action is the pathway to holiness, and that young people are not the future of the Church — they are the Church now.
“Charity is not enough; we need social reform.” – Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
We Are Loved — and That Love Sends Us to Love Others
In our Catholic tradition, we believe that we are loved by God not because of what we accomplish, but simply because we are His children. This truth is at the heart of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. It was this deep awareness of God’s love that inspired Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, a young university student, to respond with compassion and action when he saw suffering in 19th-century Paris.
Modelled by the footsteps and legacy of St Vincent de Paul, who saw Christ in the poor and made service to them the centre of his priesthood, Frédéric and his companions put their faith into practice — not only through words, but through visits to the sick, the hungry, and the forgotten. Their example reminds us that love is not a vague ideal. In the Vincentian tradition, love becomes real when it moves us to serve.
This love — rooted in our faith — is what gives us strength. It tells us that our worth lies not in status or success, but in our ability to reflect the love of Christ to others.
Let us reflect:
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What kind of world are we called to help create, through the Vincentian mission?
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How can we bring the love of Christ into the ordinary — in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities?
Love in the Vincentian spirit is often simple and quiet. It is found in listening without judgment, in walking with someone in their struggle, in seeing the face of Christ in the poor. It’s not always easy, and it’s rarely glamorous — but it is powerful. It is the kind of love that transforms both the one who gives and the one who receives.
“The knowledge of social well-being and of reform is to be learned, not from books, nor from the public platform, but in climbing the stairs to the poor person's garret, sitting by their bedside, feeling the same cold that pierces them.”
— Blessed Frédéric Ozanam
Holiness in Daily Life — For Everyone
We often think of holiness or “loving christ in the poor” as something far away — something for saints or heroes. But it lives in the everyday. In listening, in caring, in standing up for what's right. Whether you're a student, a parent, a worker, a leader — you are called to bring love into your role.
Some young people, like Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, lived this out through joy, service, and purpose. Their lives show us that being a light in the world is possible — and it starts with saying yes to love.
A Global Call to Action
As we mark International Youth Day 2025, we invite all Vincentians but especially our youth members to reflect:
“What am I doing for others?”
Let’s make our faith, our hope, and our love visible through action. “A faith that inspires, love that transforms.” Together in our conferences, we can work together for justice, peace, dignity, and care for the vulnerable.
To read more about International Youth Day and some of the activities being held around the globe, please download the PDF here.
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