2021-22 Patron Saint Nominee: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is a patron of students, youth groups, mountaineers, and he is the global patron for youth and young adults. Pope St. John Paul II called him “the man of the beatitudes” and “a joyful apostle for Christ.” 

He was born in Turin Italy in 1901. He was an average student. He was a good friend and he loved the outdoors: he enjoyed riding horses, fencing, swimming, and mountain climbing. He lived life to the fullest. He was known for his ambiability and devotion. He went to Mass and prayed the rosary daily. His focus was on Catholic social justice. 

Pier Giorgio had a difficult relationship with his father. His parents were a liberal newspaper owner and an artist, both influential and successful in their careers. His father wanted him to have a life of material luxury, but that is not what Pier Giorgio wanted. His father would give him money to pay for first class passage on a train, and he would instead buy a third class ticket and give the remaining money to the poor. When asked why he rode in third class, he responded “because there is no fourth class.” Pier Giorgio would often walk home from school because he would give his bus fare and his allowance to someone in need. His love for the poor began at an early age. When he was five, he answered the door to his home and found a woman with a child there begging for food. The child was barefoot, so Pier Giorgio immediately took off his own shoes and gave them to the child. Later, when he graduated, his father offered him either a car or a large amount of money. He chose the money, and then he gave it to those in need. He would not just give a poor or sick person money; he would stay with them and help them as best he could. He said "Charity is not enough; we need social reform." 

On June 30, 1925, while out boating with friends, he had sharp pains in his back. He returned home with a significant headache and a fever. His grandmother died the following day, and he insisted that his family focus on mourning her rather than caring for him through his illness. The next day, he was diagnosed with polio, and his illness quickly progressed. He died on July 4, 1925 at age 24. His parents, who were rather wealthy, expected Turin’s elite and political figures to attend his funeral. They were surprised to find the streets lined with thousands of mourners: the poor and sick whom he had helped. He was beatified in 1990 by Pope St. John Paul II. 

Sources: 

“Pier Giorgio Frassati.” Wikipedia, 24 October 2021, 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_Giorgio_Frassati. Accessed 31 October 2021. “Pier Giorgio Frassati.” SaintsResource.com, 2017, 

http://saintsresource.com/pier-girgio-frassati. Accessed 31 October 2021. “Pier Giorgio Frassati: Get to Know Him.” YouTube, 18 April 2016, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaFLo36mYkA. Accessed 31 October 2021.