Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925)

• Early Life: Born in Turin, Italy, on April 6, 1901, into a wealthy and influential family. Despite privilege, Pier Giorgio chose a life of simplicity, charity, and devotion to God.
• Spiritual Life: He had a deep love for the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the poor. He often spent nights in adoration and mornings helping the sick and needy, even giving away his bus fare or shoes to those who had less.
• Student and Outdoorsman: Pier Giorgio studied engineering, aiming to serve miners and workers. He was also adventurous — loved hiking, skiing, and mountain climbing. His friends called him “Man of the Beatitudes”because he lived the Gospel with joy.
• Charity: He joined Catholic organizations, protested against Fascism, and was outspoken about faith and justice. He quietly helped the poor, often sneaking food and medicine into their homes.
• Death: At age 24, he contracted polio, likely from serving the sick, and died on July 4, 1925. Thousands of poor people attended his funeral, surprising his wealthy family, who hadn’t realized how much he had done for them.
• Beatification: Pope Saint John Paul II beatified him in 1990, calling him a model for young people and naming him “the man of the eight beatitudes.”
• Patronage: Young Catholics, students, mountaineers, and World Youth Day.

Prayer
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, joyful apostle of Christ,
teach us to serve the poor with love,
to live with courage and joy,
and to climb with you toward holiness.
Pray for us!