Toward the Heights: The Spirit of the Dante Club
At Immaculata-La Salle High School, the Climbing Club—known officially as the Dante Club—is built on more than just physical endurance; it is fueled by a legacy of mountain-sized faith. While the club draws modern inspiration from Blessed Carlo Acutis, its foundational “mountain soul” belongs to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. For the students at ILS, Frassati is the ultimate proof that holiness and high-altitude adventure are a perfect match.
Sofia Toffalo Akil, freshman and member of Dante Club agrees.
”When you really think about it, we are always reaching for the top and sealing our path to heaven. This spiritual climb is not a high school club, it’s a climb that’s for life.”
The Man of the Heights
Born into a wealthy Italian family in 1901, Pier Giorgio was a vibrant, athletic, and charismatic young man who found his deepest joy in the rugged peaks of the Alps. He famously coined the phrase “Verso l’Alto” (Toward the Heights), which has become the unofficial motto for climbers around the world. To him, climbing wasn’t just a sport; it was a spiritual exercise. He believed that the higher we go, the better we can hear the voice of God.
Understanding the Dante Club
To better understand how this spiritual legacy translates to campus life, theology teacher and club adviser, Ms. Katie Church, explains the vision and structure of the organization:
A Spirit of Service and Strength
What makes Frassati such a powerful icon for the ILS students is his balance of “strength and sweetness.” He was a powerhouse on the rock face, often carrying heavy gear for his friends, yet he was equally committed to serving the poor in the backstreets of Turin. For Frassati, the discipline required to scale a mountain was the same discipline needed to live a life of virtue.
The club at ILS strives to mirror this “Frassati Way.” When students face a difficult pitch or a grueling bouldering problem, they are reminded that the struggle is part of the growth. Frassati taught that one should never just “get by,” but rather live life to its fullest intensity.
Reaching the Ultimate Summit
In the spirit of Pier Giorgio, students learn that the summit is not the end of the journey, but a place of perspective. By following in his footsteps, the climbers of ILS realize that every ascent—whether metaphorical or physical—is an opportunity to leave behind the “lowlands” of selfishness and move closer to the divine.
