The Pier Giorgio Frassati Paddle

Handcrafted by ​Scott Weyenberg

​For the inaugural 4th of July trip in 2003, Scott Weyenberg surprised the Frassati Society with the gift of this handmade paddle.  One side contains the inlaid initials ‘PGF’ (Pier Giorgio Frassati) and the other bears the Chi-Rho, a Christian symbol representing the name of Jesus Christ.

​The paddle was put in the care of the Frassati Society of Minnesota’s first  president, Anne Braam.  When she stepped down it was passed on to subsequent  presidents: Suzanne Hamant (now Sr. Joan Marie of the Sisters of Life), Jessica (Kartak) Kegley, and Jeanna Desideri; it is currently held by Jen Messing.  Thus,  the “Presidential Paddle” is used to inaugurate all incoming Core Team members  in a knightly fashion.

Upon the swearing in of the then-new President (Jen Messing), an executive order was given: the paddle was to no longer simply look pretty in a corner – it must be used for its intended purpose!

​On the 4th of July camping trip in 2009, our beautiful paddle realized its full dignity by gracing the waters of Lake Bemidji State Park.