MENLO PARK — On Saturday, July 12, at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, a special screening of Pier Giorgio Frassati: If I Didn’t Have Love was shown, drawing parishioners and guests from across the Archdiocese. The event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Dominican Laity—formerly known as the Third Order Dominicans—and honored Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose feast day was celebrated on July 4 and who will be canonized on September 7 alongside Blessed Carlo Acutis.
Approximately 70 people attended the gathering, including youth from St. Dunstan Parish in Millbrae, parishioners from Star of the Sea in San Francisco, St. Raymond Parish in Menlo Park, and others from neighboring communities. Deacon Dominic Peloso of Nativity Church and Deacon Dino Ornido of St. Dominic Church in San Francisco were also present.
Charo Aguirre, Formation Director of the Dominican Laity Corpus Christi Chapter in Menlo Park, welcomed attendees and delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Fr. James Thompson, O.P., Chaplain for the chapter. Aguirre emphasized that the evening was both a celebration of the chapter’s long-standing commitment to lay Dominican life and an invitation for attendees to reflect on the varied ways one can respond to God’s call.
The featured film follows the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a member of the Third Order Dominicans (now called the Dominican Laity), who is known for his vibrant spirituality, service to the poor, and joyful pursuit of holiness in everyday life. As a lay Dominican, Frassati embodied the Dominican charism while fully living his vocation in the world—as a student, mountaineer, friend, and disciple of Christ. His example continues to resonate with young people, especially in light of his upcoming canonization this September.
“The movie shows us how much love St. Pier Giorgio Frassati has, to go above and beyond to help those in need—and it influences us to want to imitate him,” said twins Joan and Nigel Etheridge from St. Dunstan’s youth group. Inspired by Frassati’s witness, the siblings plan to join the Sisters of Charity on Sunday, July 20, to serve the poor in the local community.
Organizers expressed hope that the screening would encourage more young Catholics to consider the breadth of vocational possibilities within the Church, including lay movements like the Dominican Laity. “This film reminds us that holiness is not confined to religious life alone,” Aguirre said. “Frassati lived as a student, a friend, and a servant of the poor—deeply rooted in Christ, yet fully present in the world. His example still speaks to young people today.”
The Corpus Christi Chapter currently has three novices who will make their first profession as Lay Dominicans in October 2025. For more information on the Dominican Laity and the Corpus Christi Chapter, visit www.dominicanlaitymenlo.org or email info@dominicanlaity.org.
The evening served not only as a tribute to the legacy of the Dominican Laity Corpus Christi Chapter, but also as a moment of inspiration for the next generation to live the Gospel with love, courage, and joy.
