Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati – Canonization-7thSeptember

Canonization on September 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV

during the Catholic Jubilee Year.

July 4th Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925)

A Witness of Joyful Faith and Compassionate Service

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was a remarkable Italian Catholic layman whose short life left an enduring legacy of faith, service, and youthful zeal. Born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, to a wealthy but non-religious family, Pier Giorgio stood out for his deep devotion to Christ and his tireless love for the poor.

Despite being raised in a home indifferent to religion—his father, Alfredo, was a prominent journalist and senator, and his mother, Adelaide, a well-known painter—Pier Giorgio developed a strong Catholic faith early in life. He was profoundly devoted to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, receiving special permission to take daily Communion and often spending nights in Eucharistic adoration.

At just 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he began a lifelong mission of serving the sick, the poor, and the abandoned. He often gave away his own clothes, money, and even bus fare to help those in need, believing that in serving them, he was serving Christ Himself. His spiritual life was nourished by daily Mass, praying the Rosary, and reading the works of saints like St. Catherine of Siena.

An energetic and joyful young man, Pier Giorgio was also an avid mountaineer, skier, and hiker. He used these outings as opportunities for fellowship and prayer, inspiring others with his motto:
“Verso l’Alto” – “To the heights” – reflecting both his love for the mountains and his desire for holiness.

Frassati was also politically engaged, opposing Fascism in Italy and actively participating in Catholic Action and the Third Order of St. Dominic, where he took the name Girolamo, honoring the reformer Girolamo Savonarola.

Though he came from privilege, Pier Giorgio lived with humility and simplicity. He studied mining engineering at the Royal Polytechnic of Turin with the goal of serving Christ among the working class. Sadly, while serving the poor in Turin’s slums, he contracted polio and died on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24.

At his funeral, thousands of the poor and sick whom he had helped came to pay their respects, surprising his own family, who had been unaware of the full extent of his hidden charity. His body was found incorrupt in 1981 and was later moved to Turin’s cathedral.

On May 20, 1990, Pope John Paul II beatified him, calling him the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes.” Frassati is now the patron of youth, students, mountaineers, and World Youth Day pilgrims. He is scheduled to be canonized on September 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV during the Catholic Jubilee Year.

Today, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati continues to inspire young Catholics around the world with his joyful witness to the Gospel—calling all to climb toward the heights of holiness with courage, love, and unwavering faith.

Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

O merciful God,
Who through the perils of the world preserved by Your grace
Your servant Pier Giorgio Frassati
Pure of heart and ardent in charity,
Listen to our prayers and, if it is Your will,
Let the glory of Your Church be increased
By the canonization of this young man,
Who lived his faith so vividly.

Grant us the grace we ask through his intercession
(mention your intention silently),
By the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(With ecclesiastical approval)

Prayer for Youth Through the Intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio

Blessed Pier Giorgio,
You who gave your youth to God
In joy, service, and sacrifice,
Teach us to live with generous hearts.

Help us to seek holiness above comfort,
To love the poor as Christ does,
And to go “to the heights” in all things—
In faith, hope, and love.

Pray for us, especially young people,
That we may walk in your footsteps
And grow in virtue and courage.

Inspire us to bring Christ into the world
With contagious joy and deep compassion.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!

Short Prayer for His Intercession

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,
friend of the poor, lover of the Eucharist,
guide of youth, and faithful follower of Christ—
pray for me today.
Help me to live my faith with courage,
to serve with humility,
and to climb toward the heights of heaven. Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925)

The Man of the Eight Beatitudes

A Life of Faith, Charity, and Joyful Service

1 A Life of Faith and Service

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) was an Italian Catholic activist whose deep faith, selﬂess service to the poor, and vibrant spirituality continue to inspire young Catholics world- wide. His life, marked by joy and dedication to Christ, earned him the title “Man of the Eight Beatitudes” from Pope John Paul II.

1.1 Early Life and Spiritual Foundation

Born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, Frassati grew up in a wealthy, agnostic family. His father, Alfredo, owned the inﬂuential newspaper La Stampa and served as a senator, while his mother, Adelaide, was a painter. Despite his parents’ lack of religious enthusiasm, Frassati cultivated a profound Catholic faith from a young age. Drawn to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, he received rare permission for daily Communion and spent countless nights in Eucharistic adoration.

1.2 Charity Rooted in Christ

At age 17, Frassati joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society, dedicating himself to serving Turin’s poor, sick, and orphaned. He gave away his money, clothes, and even bus fare, often walking home to keep his generosity hidden from his family. His charity was deeply rooted in his belief that serving the needy was serving Christ, inspired by daily Mass, the Rosary, and the writings of saints like Catherine of Siena.

1.3 Verso l’Alto: Mountains and Faith

An avid mountaineer and athlete, Frassati loved hiking, skiing, and climbing in the Italian Alps. These outings were opportunities to lead friends in prayer, blending his love for nature with his faith. His motto, “Verso l’Alto” (“To the heights”), reﬂected both his passion for mountaineering and his spiritual aspiration toward heaven, making him a relatable ﬁgure for youth seeking to live faith actively.

1.4 Activism and Conviction

Frassati was politically engaged, opposing Fascism in Italy through his involvement in Catholic Action and the Third Order of St. Dominic, where he took the name Girolamo, honouring the reformer Savonarola. His faith-driven activism showcased his courage and commitment to justice in a turbulent era.

1.5 Sacriﬁce and Final Days

Frassati studied mining engineering at the Royal Polytechnic of Turin, intending to serve Christ among miners. Tragically, he contracted polio, likely from his work in Turin’s slums, and died on July 4, 1925, at age 24. His funeral drew thousands, mostly the poor he had served, revealing the extent of his charity to his unaware family. In 1981, his body was found incorrupt and moved to Turin’s cathedral, a testament to his sanctity.

1.6 Beatiﬁcation and Canonization

Beatiﬁed by Pope John Paul II in 1990, Frassati was celebrated as the “Man of the Eight Beati- tudes” for embodying the Gospel’s call to holiness. A patron of youth, students, mountaineers, and World Youth Day, he is set to be canonized on September 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV during the Jubilee Year.

2 Legacy of Joy and Inspiration

Pier Giorgio Frassati’s life was a testament to living joyfully for Christ. His blend of charity, faith, and enthusiasm for life continues to inspire countless young people to pursue holiness in everyday actions. Through his service to the poor, love for the mountains, and unwavering commitment to justice, Frassati’s legacy calls us all to strive “Verso l’Alto”—toward the heights of fa2ith and love.

Why Canonizing Them Together Matters

Both young laymen who lived holiness in everyday life.
Carlo represents the digital generation.
Pier Giorgio represents youth engagement in social action.
Together, they model how holiness can thrive both online and in real-life service.

Blessed Carlo Acutis https://saintmichaelusa.org/1012-St-Carlo-Acutis/

Born: 1991 in London, raised in Milan, Italy.
Died: 2006 at age 15 from leukemia.
Legacy: Called “God’s Influencer” for using the internet to spread the faith, especially through a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles.
Spirituality: Daily Mass, Eucharistic devotion, deep Marian love. His motto was “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.”

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati https://saintmichaelusa.org/0704-St-Pier-Frassati

Born: 1901 in Turin, Italy.
Died: 1925 at age 24 from polio.
Legacy: Known as “The Man of the Beatitudes” for his joyful charity and service to the poor.
Spirituality: Devoted to Eucharistic adoration, mountain climbing, and social justice.

Patron Saint of Fashion? Soon-to-be-Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Dressed for God, Not for the World

https://www.ncregister.com/features/frassati-tailored-for-holiness