St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin Italy. Although born into a Catholic family, Pier Giorgio's parents and sister stopped practicing their faith while he was still a young child. However, faced of their withdrawal, Pier Giorgio was instead drawn to an ever deeper involvement in the Catholic faith. He joined several groups at his local church, the Marian Sodality and the Apostleship of Prayer, as well as attended Mass daily. 

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As a young man, Pier Giorgio saw first hand the immense suffering and poverty that effected Italy following World War I. At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his time to serving the sick and the needy, caring for orphans, and assisting the soldiers returning home. His dedication to those that suffered often inspired him to sell his bus ticket, give the money away and walk home, even at times barefoot after having given away his shoes. Much of his charity work was done in secret! 

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Pier Giorgio was inspired by Pope Leo XIII's letter on the Catholic Church's social teaching, Rerum Novarum. He joined several Catholic political and social groups, the Catholic Student Foundation, Catholic Action, and became a very active member of the People’s Party. He also cared deeply for the struggles of coal minors who worked under horrible conditions and decided to become a mining engineer so he could “serve Christ better among the miners."

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As a student, Pier Giorgio was known a mountaineer, a great athlete, and a prankster! He constantly was inviting fellow students to join him for social events and hikes in the mountains. He loved going to the opera and museums; he even could quote whole passages from Dante. However, he always sought to elevate these activities. He would always bring friends to Mass or Adoration and would insist that the hiking adventures begin with holy Mass, even if it was at 5 AM! He also would frequently be seen praying the Rosary in the mountains. His love of the Lord fueled all his actions as he was known to spend all night in Adortion. 

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Just before finishing his collge degree, Pier Giorgio contracted poliomyelitis, which he most likely caught from working among the poor that he loved so much. Only six days later, after sever suffering, Pier Giorgio Frassati passed away on July 4th, 1925, at the young age of 24. 

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His family expected a quite funeral, however thousands lined the streets of Turin. The poor and needy came to honor the man who had served them so unselfishishly for many years. Pier Giorgio's life can be summed up in his personal motto "verso l'alto" meaning "to the heights". In his short life he literally climbed to the hieghts of the Italian mountains, brought his friends to those same mountains, but much more he sought to elevate everything and everyone to spiritual heights! 

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In 1981, his body was found to be incorrupt. 

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On September 7th, 2025, Pope Leo XIV cannonized Pier Giorgio Frassati a saint! 

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