SAINT GIORGIO FRASSATI

 

SAINT PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (THE MAN OF THE BEATITUDES 1901-1925)

The two saints canonized on September 7, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV in the Square of Saint Peter were Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Both were Italian laymen who died at a young age. They are the first set of Saints to be canonized by Pope Leo XIV.

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati was an Italian young person who was affectionately called the Man of the Beatitudes by Saint John Paul II for his exemplary work of bringing comfort and happiness to those who were poor, suffering, meek, hungry, thirsty, and in need of mercy, and who was himself clean of heart, a peacemaker, and persecuted for the sake of the Gospel (cf. Matthew 5:3-10). He died at the young adult age of 24 while in charitable service to the people who were sick and dying in his community.  He died of polio, which he likely contracted while serving the sick.

An avid outdoorsman from Turin, he was known for his energetic spirit and deep faith. He spent much of his time doing outdoor activities. He dedicated his life to helping the poor and needy in his community. His motto was Verso l'alto (to the heights), a reference to his passion for mountaineering and his spiritual ambition for holiness. 

Born in 1901 to a wealthy and influential Italian family, Pier Giorgio Frassati was a Catholic activist, a dedicated servant of the poor, and an avid mountaineer. His short life of 24 years left a lasting legacy of joyful faith, social action, and profound charity. His canonization occurred on September 7, 2025. 

Pope Francis listed him (CV 60) among the twelve exemplary saints for all young people in his apostolic exhortation, CHRISTUS VIVIT, who devoted their lives to Christ... precious reflections of the young Christ; their radiant witness encourages us and awakens us from our lethargy (CV 49). Pope Francis echoed St. John Paul II by noting Frassati was a young man filled with a joy that swept everything along with it, a joy that overcame many difficulties in his life (CV 60).

Frassati was considered extraordinary in his ordinariness and is a great role model for ordinary people who strive to live their everyday lives to the fullest. 

Pier Giorgio was engaged in the life of the Church through regular worship and adoration, service to the poor and marginalized, advocacy for social justice for the disenfranchised and for religious liberty, regular participation in student and sports activities, devotion to his family, and joyful companionship with his friends and fellow Catholics in his community. He saw many parallels between Catholic life and his favorite pastime sport, mountain-climbing. He would regularly organize trips into the mountains with his close friends with occasions for prayer, liturgies, and conversations about faith on the way up to or down from the summit.

After what would become his final climb he wrote a simple note on a photograph: Verso L'Alto, which means to the heights. This phrase has since come to encapsulate his philosophy of mountaineering and his Catholic outlook on life and adventure. 

Just like Frassati, we are continually called to set out on a voyage in our everyday lives to go to the heights to encounter Christ in all things, and in a particular way, through the community of the Church, those who are poor and marginalized, and the Holy Eucharist.

BIRTH

Frassati was born in Turin, Italy in 1901, to a prominent family. His father, Alfredo, founded and directed the newspaper La Stampa and served as an Italian senator and ambassador. His mother, Adelaide Ametis, was an artist.

He was spiritually independent. Despite his parents being more secular and often disapproving of his piety, Frassati developed a deep and independent faith from a young age. He began receiving Holy Communion daily and committed himself to prayer.

As a student, Frassati was known for his athletic ability and a fun-loving personality, with his friends calling him the Terror. He pursued a degree in mining engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin with the stated goal of serving Christ among the miners. 

COMMITMENT TO CHARITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

In service to the poor, he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1918 and began dedicating much of his free time to serving the sick and the poor of the slums in Turin. He gave away any money he had, often forfeiting his own train fare to help those in need.

As a fierce advocate for Catholic social teaching, Frassati was also politically active. He was an opponent of fascism and participated in anti-fascist demonstrations, sometimes clashing with police.

For him, Charity is not enough. A core philosophy for Frassati was that charity must go beyond random acts of kindness to create greater good and produce social reform. He worked toward systemic change and justice for the poor. 

A JOYFUL AND SPIRITUAL LIFE

As an enthusiastic outdoorsman, Frassati loved mountain climbing. The phrase Verso L'Alto, Italian for To the Heights, became his motto, symbolizing his journey toward holiness. Too, he was a leader among his peers and fostered a sense of community centered on Christ. He invited friends on spiritual retreats, prayed with them, and encouraged them to grow in their faith. He joined the Dominican Third Order, a lay branch of the Dominican order, in 1922. 

DEATH

Frassati contracted poliomyelitis in July 1925, likely from his work among the sick and poor. His family, focused on his ailing father at the time, did not realize the severity of his illness until it was too late. He died on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24. At his funeral, his family was stunned to see thousands of the poor in Turin lining the streets, revealing the extent of his hidden works of charity.

The cause for his canonization began in 1932. In 1990, Pope John Paul II beatified him, referring to him as the Man of the Eight Beatitudes. His canonization was completed by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025.

He has a special place in the hearts of many young people across the United States and around the world. His example of Gospel living continues to inspire people a century after his death.

Today, he is the Global Patron and Companion for Young Adults, Athletes, students, young Catholics, mountaineers, World Youth Day and Ordinary People.

THE MESSAGE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAINT GIORGIO FRASSATI THE PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS

The message which Saint Giorgio Frassati left for us who are still alive is one of radical love for God and the poor, emphasizing a life of deep faith, cheerful holiness, active charity, social justice, and courageous pursuit of greatness instead of mediocrity. His life provides a powerful example for priests and religious by modeling devotion to the Eucharist, for Catholic youths by demonstrating a vibrant, adventurous holiness, and for Christian parents by showing how to raise children with a strong faith and commitment to serving others in a world of privilege. 

The significance of Saint Giorgio Frassati lies in his inspiring example of a vibrant, faith-filled life lived with joy and service to the poor, making him a model for all Catholics. For Priests and Religious, he shows that sanctity is found in ordinary life and service, especially to the poor and Eucharist. For Catholic Youths, he proves saints can be like them: fun-loving, athletic, and popular; and that faith can be integrated into daily life and culture. For Christian Parents, his life demonstrates that holiness is possible even within a wealthy, privileged upbringing, serving as a guide for raising children in the world of today to pursue God and serve others. 

HOLINESS IN THE ORDINARY

The life of Frassati shows that holiness is not found in extraordinary circumstances but in the everyday activities such as working, being with friends, and serving the poor. 

ROOTED IN THE EUCHARIST

His deep devotion to the Eucharist and daily Mass, which he made the center of his day, can encourage clergy to prioritize and model this spiritual practice for others. 

LOVE FOR THE POOR

His dedication to serving the poor and marginalized serves as a powerful example of charity and social justice, inspiring priests and religious to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable. 

DEEP FAITH AND DEVOTION TO THE EUCHARIST

The fervent reception of daily communion by Giorgio Frassati was a rare and profound expression of his love for Christ, showing religious a model of deepening spiritual life through the Sacraments. 

HIDDEN HOLINESS AND TRUE FULFILLMENT

He chose a life of hidden holiness, often sacrificing his own desires for the sake of others, revealing that a life dedicated to God is one of immense fulfillment, not self-indulgence. 

THE MESSAGE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAINT GIORGIO FRASSATI TO CATHOIC YOUTHS

Pope Leo XIV canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sunday, September 7, 2025, along with Carlo Acutis, at the Square of St. Peter in Rome. Together, the two new saints are patrons for youth and young adults.

EMBRACE HOLINESS, NOT MEDIOCRITY

The life of Giorgio Frassati was a testament to the call to greatness, inspiring young people to aspire to greatness and reject mediocrity, just as he did.

 

ADVENTUROUS AND JOYFUL WITNESS

His vibrant, playful personality, which earned him the nickname The Terror among friends, showed that a deeply holy life can be joyful, enthusiastic, and adventurous. 

LOVE OF NATURE AND GOD

He found God in the silence of nature and his prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, revealing a path to spiritual growth through both quiet contemplation and active service. 

A SAINT LIKE THEM

Giorgio Frassati was a relatable figure. He was fun-loving, athletic, and interested in culture. All these prove that saints can be just one of the guys. 

VERSO L'ALTO (TO THE HEIGHTS)

His motto To the Heights encourages youth to strive for spiritual, intellectual, and virtuous growth, embracing holiness as an adventure. 

JOYFUL FAITH

He shows that faith can be a source of immense joy and that it is possible to live a life directed towards God while enjoying the good things of life. 

THE MESSAGE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SAINT GIORGIO FRASSATI TO CHRISTIAN PARENTS

HOLINESS IN A WORLD OF PRIVILEGE

His example is a powerful testament for parents raising children in affluent homes, showing that a life of self-indulgence is not the only option but that holiness and charity can be chosen. 

JOYFUL, FAITH-FILLED PARENTING

Frassati demonstrates that a deep faith can be seamlessly integrated with family life and ordinary routines, leading to a fully alive, spiritual home. 

INSPIRING SERVICE

His commitment to service and advocacy for the poor provides a concrete model for parents to cultivate compassion and service in their children. 

RAISE CHILDREN IN FAITH AND ACTION

The example given by the life of Giorgio Frassati encourages parents to raise their children with a profound faith and a commitment to serving others, rather than a life of privilege and self-indulgence. 

TEACH THE VALUE OF SACRIFICE AND CHARITY

He consistently demonstrated the importance of putting the needs of others before his own, even giving his own shoes to a poor child, which teaches the value of sacrifice and selfless charity. 

COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE

His involvement in social reform movements and his desire to serve as a mining engineer highlight the importance of fighting for the rights of the underserved and standing against injustice. 

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

September 9 2025

Memorial of Saint Peter Clever