Saints In Summer Series: Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Today we celebrate a man who had a heart for the Lord and the poor at a very young age, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Giorgio was born in Turin, Italy in 1901. He was born in a rich family, but instead of letting this benefit him, Giorgio used his family's money to aid the poor and needy around him. For his graduation, Pier turned down a car from his parents and instead accepted a lump sum of money so that he might spend it on helping the poor. Pier Giorgio Frassati is known for his mountaineering ways, and the way he lived an active lifestyle. He is the patron saint of both young Catholics and mountaineers. In July 1925, Pier began noticing sharp back pains while on a trip with his friends. Upon returning home, his grandmother promptly passed away, and in his humility Frassati did not mention his own pain, as his family was already mourning. However, it turns out Pier Giorgio had polio, and his fatigue from travels had only made it worse. His condition quickly deteriorated, and on July 4, 1925, Pier Giorgio Frassati died. The poor of Turin who were affected by Frassatis kind deeds fought for his beautification, and in May 1990 St John Paul II beautified Pier Giorgio. ​