Abbey-Roads2

Joseph Trojack

(This picture is not him, but it could be, no it’s me - well, not really, it’s Ben somebody - but Joe kinda looks like this - and I should too.)

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was hailed from the pulpit has an example to others while he was still alive, by the Bishop of Turino no less - so I can praise a very good Catholic young man I know.

Mr. Trojack reminds me very much of Pier Giorgio. He is such an extraordinary soul. Very devout and conscientious without scrupulosity - well, not too much, he’s still young.

He comes from an excellent Catholic family, his parents are the attorney John Trojack and his wife Mary Jo. The affection of his parents and siblings as well as the example of his virtuous parents and the excellent training they provided the children are exemplified in Joe, their only son.

Joe worked for me for a short time a couple of years ago. He always came to work dressed in a tie and well pressed shirts and dress pants - every day. He was industrious and pleasant to work with. He had a work ethic unlike any other young man I knew. And he was so much fun to work with. (When he left to continue his studies, I was in a funk for weeks. He was my joy.)

Very Catholic, he prefers the traditional Mass, as well as devotion. He is extremely well educated and bright, although never, ever affected by his intelligence or education. (Despite the fact he has always been the head of his class, he maintained he had to work very hard for it.) He is a genuinely humble man.

He has been Catholic educated in the best schools while remaining a typical Catholic youth - or what a Catholic youth ought to be. He liked “dance/trance” music and crazy humor - which endeared him to me. In addition, he could quote Shakespeare, even the most obscure lines, without any difficulty, appropriate to our conversation. (Pier Giorgio could do that with Dante.) Nevertheless, he retained a rather serious and intense approach to life, without a trace of morbidity or puritanical somberness. (He always retains a “puppy’s” joie de vie - which is infectious.)

What I can surmise of his spirituality is that he has a keen sense of justice, combined with a rather tender mercy. Yet what characterizes him the most is his capacity to love, he is graced with a wonderful charity and respect for individuals,no matter their state in life, and the primary purpose of pleasing God alone.

After great discernment, sometimes agonizing, (he wondered about priesthood) he married a lovely young woman of equal intelligence and piety, Mary Shea, an accomplished artist in her own right. Mary is a lovely soul - also in her own right. When I refer to ideals of courtship and married love, these two often are my inspiration.

Mr. Trojack will be finishing his studies for his law degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota this year. It’s tough to be married and working on a law degree. (He has other degree(s) but I never asked what they were, and he never told me.)

He is a man to watch, I believe great things await him.

He is my “Man of the Year” - I am honored to call him friend - as well as to pretend he’s my son - but he is really John’s son - the apple just doesn’t fall far from the tree. Joe would never be the man he is without such an affectionate, loving and honorable father - and good Italian mom.