Pier Giorgio Frassati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedPier Giorgio Frassati T.O.S.D. |
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Frassati in his father's office – c. 1920
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| Layman | |
| Born | 6 April 1901 Turin, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 4 July 1925 (aged 24) Turin, Kingdom of Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 20 May 1990, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Turin, Italy |
| Feast | 4 July |
| Patronage |
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Pier Giorgio Frassati (born April 6, 1901 – died July 4, 1925) was a young Italian Catholic who loved helping others. He was part of a group called the Third Order of Saint Dominic, which meant he followed the teachings of Saint Dominic.
Pier Giorgio cared deeply about social justice, which is about making sure everyone is treated fairly. He joined groups like Catholic Action and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. These groups helped poor and struggling people in his hometown of Turin, Italy. He used his strong faith to serve those in need. People remembered him for his kindness and friendly nature.
He was also a big fan of mountaineering and often climbed mountains with his friends. He was a good swimmer and athlete. Pier Giorgio loved helping people from a young age, no matter their background. His family's social standing gave him more chances to help those who needed it most.
After he passed away, many poor people in Turin asked for him to be recognized as a saint. Pope John Paul II officially declared him "Blessed" in May 1990. He even called Pier Giorgio the "Man of the Eight Beatitudes."
Life Story
Early Years and Family
Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901. His father, Alfredo Frassati, owned a well-known newspaper called La Stampa. His mother, Adélaïde Ametis, was a famous painter. Pier Giorgio had one younger sister named Luciana Gawronska. His father was also involved in politics and served as an ambassador.
A Heart for Helping Others
From a very young age, Pier Giorgio showed a strong desire to help people. Once, when he was a child, a shoeless boy came to their door begging. Pier Giorgio took off his own shoes and gave them to the boy. Another time, his father refused to help a man at their door. A sad Pier Giorgio told his mother, who then told him to find the man and bring him back for food.
He made his first confession in 1910 and received his First Communion in 1911. He was confirmed in his church in 1915.
School and Personality
Pier Giorgio was known for playing harmless practical jokes, earning him the nickname "Terror." He was an average student in school. However, his friends knew him for his intelligence and his deep faith. When he struggled with exams in 1913, he went to a special school run by the Jesuits.
Fighting for Justice
Pier Giorgio believed in social action, which means working to bring people together and fight unfairness. He was against fascism and the government of Benito Mussolini. He was even arrested once in Rome while protesting for workers' rights. He was very involved with student groups and joined Catholic Action in 1919.
In 1922, he became a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic. He chose the name "Girolamo" to honor Girolamo Savonarola. He also admired the teachings of Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena.
He often said, "Charity is not enough; we need social reform." He helped start a newspaper called Momento. Its ideas were based on Pope Leo XIII's important letter, Rerum novarum, which talked about workers' rights. In 1918, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and spent much of his time helping the poor.
Studies and Generosity
In 1918, Pier Giorgio began studying engineering. He wanted to become a mining engineer so he could "serve Christ better among the miners." After he graduated, his father offered him a car or a large sum of money. Pier Giorgio chose the money so he could give it to the poor instead of keeping it for himself. He also helped a person with tuberculosis by providing a bed. He supported the children of a sick widow and found a home for a woman who had been evicted.
During his studies, he met a girl he liked because she was honest and kind. However, he decided not to pursue a relationship with her. He worried his parents might not approve, and he told his sister about his decision.
Hobbies and Talents
Pier Giorgio had many talents. He was an enthusiastic mountaineer and a good athlete who could swim well. He could even recite parts of poems by Dante Aligheri easily. He was a member of the Club Alpino Italiano and climbed famous mountains like the Grand Tournalin and Monte Viso. He also enjoyed going to theaters and museums with friends. However, he only watched movies after checking if they had good moral messages. He learned to dance but never really liked it. He also knew how to speak German and French.
Final Days
On June 30, 1925, while boating with friends, Pier Giorgio felt sharp pains in his back. The next day, he had a bad headache and fever. His grandmother passed away on the same day. Because he was so humble, he didn't want attention on himself. He wanted his family to focus on mourning his grandmother.
On July 2, a doctor visited him. Pier Giorgio couldn't move and said, "I can't!" Doctors soon realized he had poliomyelitis, a serious illness that made him very tired.
As his condition worsened, he gave his last instructions to his sister. A priest came to give him the Last Rites. Pier Giorgio passed away on July 4, 1925, at 7:00 pm, due to polio. He was only 24 years old.
His parents expected only important people to attend his funeral. But they were surprised to see thousands of ordinary people lining the streets. These were the people he had helped, and they showed their deep respect for him. He was buried in his family's plot. Later, in 1981, his body was moved to the Turin Cathedral. When examined, his body was found to be well-preserved.
Becoming a Blessed Saint
The Path to Beatification
After Pier Giorgio's death, the poor people of Turin asked the Archbishop of Turin to start the process of making him a saint. This process, called canonization, began on July 2, 1932. Officials carefully studied Pier Giorgio's life, collecting documents and witness stories.
In 1941, the process faced a problem. Some false rumors were spread about Pier Giorgio's character. His sister went to Rome to clear his name. The rumors were proven false, and the process continued.
In 1978, Pope Paul VI officially declared Pier Giorgio a Servant of God. This is the first step toward sainthood. Later, on October 23, 1987, Pope John Paul II declared him Venerable. This meant that Pier Giorgio had lived a life of great Christian goodness.
The Miracle for Beatification
For someone to be declared "Blessed," a miracle is usually needed. This is often a healing that doctors cannot explain. The miracle chosen for Pier Giorgio was the healing of Domenico Sellan in 1933. Domenico had a severe form of tuberculosis. A priest visited him and brought a relic and picture of Pier Giorgio, asking for his help. Domenico was healed and lived for over 30 more years in perfect health.
After careful investigation, medical experts and theologians agreed that the healing was a miracle. On December 21, 1989, Pope John Paul II approved the miracle. He then officially declared Pier Giorgio "Blessed" on May 20, 1990, in Saint Peter's Square.
The person currently in charge of this process is a priest named Pascual Cebollada Silvestre.
Remembering Pier Giorgio
Schools and Groups Named After Him
Many places and groups are named after Pier Giorgio Frassati. These include:
- Frassati Catholic Academy in Wauconda, Illinois, a middle school started in 2010.
- Frassati Catholic High School in Houston, which opened in 2013.
- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Catholic School in Toronto, Canada, opened in 2013.
He is also the patron saint of Bishop McGuinness High School (Oklahoma). This school gives an award called the "Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Award" to students who do a lot of service for others.
Frassati Australia, based in Brisbane, looks up to Pier Giorgio as a role model for young men. They encourage them to live a strong Catholic life and help others.
Christendom College in Virginia hosts a rugby tournament every year called the Frassati Invitational.
Popes Honor Him
In 1989, Pope John Paul II visited Pier Giorgio's tomb. He honored him by calling him the "Man of the Eight Beatitudes." In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI told young people to follow Pier Giorgio's example. He said it's important to commit to God and answer His call in life's big decisions.
Pope Francis also visited Pier Giorgio's remains in November 2015 when he was in Turin.
World Youth Day
Pier Giorgio's remains have been moved from Turin twice for World Youth Day events. They traveled to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008 and to Kraków for World Youth Day 2016. This allowed many young people from around the world to honor him.
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Jorge Frassati para niños
- Luciana Frassati Gawronska – Pier Giorgio's sister
