In 1919, according to the practice introduced ten years earlier by Pope Pius X, he was confirmed and received his first communion at age seven.  In Mesero, they only taught the first four grades, and to go on to fifth grade, one had to pass an exam.  Pietro struggled with elementary school.  So with the help of  their parish priest, Luigi turned to the Sisters of the Precious Blood, who had recently settled in the town, and whose superior, Mother Giovanna Colloni, personally took charge of preparing Pietro for his exam.  He took and passed the exam at the elementary school run by the Canossian Sisters in Magenta.  

Between 1923 and 1928, he attends Saint Joseph College (middle school to high school) in Monza. From 1928 to 1931, Pietro attends the three years of classical studies at the Liceo Statale Bartolomeo Zucchi in Monza, where he earns his diploma. During these years, he continues to board at Saint Joseph College where he serves as prefect (a senior student authorized to enforce discipline). In 1931, he moves back with his family in Mesero. He begins his engineering studies at the Politecnico in Milan.

In 1933, Pietro joins the Italian Catholic Action Youth, with whom he will be associated with until 1943. At this time, he offers to help the parish priest, teaching catechism to adults on Sunday afternoons. On November 7, 1936, Pietro receives his diploma in industrial and mechanical engineering from the Politecnico. In December, 1936, he passes the exam enabling him to practice as an engineer. On December 9, 1936, Pietro is hired by SAFFA (Societa per Azioni Fabbriche Fiammiferi ed Affini, a company producing matches) as technical advisor to the plant director in Ponte Nuovo di Magenta. In 1938, he is named vice director of the plant. He moves to Ponte Nuovo in the early 1940’s. In 1950, Pietro becomes the central director of the Ponte Nuovo plant and is put in charge of expansion, planning, and establishing new plants for SAFFA and its affiliates.

Pietro’s younger sister, Teresina, is seen by Doctor Gianna Beretta, but Teresina’s complications from her illness were too great, and she does not survive the illness. Through this illness, Gianna and Pietro meet. They begin seeing each other and soon their friendship blossoms into love. They are engaged on April 11, 1955, and they are married on September 24, 1955 at Saint Martin’s Basilica in Magenta. They move to the house built for the director of SAFFA’s plants in Ponte Nuovo. They build their life together.  The picture below was taken on their honeymoon.