St Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Life of Joy, Service, and “Going Upwards”

On 7 September 2025, Pier Giorgio Frassati was canonised by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square, joining Carlo Acutis among the young saints the Church is presenting anew to the world. His feast day will henceforth be celebrated on 4 July, the date of his death in 1925.

Roots and Formation

Early Life in Turin

Pier Giorgio was born on 6 April 1901 in Turin, into a well-off liberal family. His father, Alfredo Frassati, owned the newspaper La Stampa, while his mother, Adélaïde Ametis, was a painter. Despite their material comfort, religion was not tightly enforced in the home. Instead, faith came alive more gradually in his own heart.

Education and Faith Growth

He attended public school before moving to a Jesuit institution known as the “Istituto Sociale.” Here, his understanding of faith deepened significantly. He received Communion daily, a rare privilege at the time, and engaged with various groups, including the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Catholic Action, and student faith groups.

Sense of Social Commitment

Pier Giorgio pursued engineering, particularly mining engineering. His motivation stemmed from a desire not just for personal success but to serve the working class and those suffering in poor or dangerous labor. He believed that faith should translate into practical compassion and social reform, rather than mere philanthropy.

Key Characteristics and Witness

Here are traits from his life that many find inspiring:

Joy and Friendship

Pier Giorgio was known for his zest for life. He enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing, poetry, art, and humor among friends. He formed close friendships, generously supporting them, and in turn, received their support.

Hidden Charity

Much of what he did for the poor was quiet and unpublicised. He helped individuals with medicine, clothing, or simply by being present. He often donated his train fare or rode third class so that whatever he could spare might go to someone more in need.

“Upwards” (“Verso l’alto”)

This phrase became closely associated with him. It symbolizes climbing and striving, not settling for the easy or merely comfortable, but going higher—towards God, holiness, and a life dedicated to love. His love of the mountains serves as a powerful metaphor for this spiritual ascent.

Courage, Conviction, and Integrity

He did not shy away from hardship. Pier Giorgio engaged in moments of political tension, standing in solidarity with those less privileged. When protests arose or social injustice became evident, he did not retreat. Later in life, he accepted suffering with dignity.

Illness, Death, and Canonisation

Pier Giorgio died young. He contracted polio in July 1925, reportedly after caring for the sick, and passed away on 4 July at the age of 24. Thousands lined the streets at his funeral; many among Turin’s poor had known him personally. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, who called him “the man of the Beatitudes.” The recent canonisation in September 2025 brings him formally into the roll of saints, making his example more widely recognised in the universal Church.

Why His Example Matters Today

In an era when many young people seek authenticity, meaning, community, and justice, Pier Giorgio Frassati offers something compelling: holiness lived in the ordinary. Here are some takeaways:

Faith and Action Together

For Pier Giorgio, belief was not a private comfort but a cause for serving others—especially those on the margins. His life exemplifies the integration of faith and action.

Joy and Everyday Virtues

Holiness need not appear austere or detached. Laughter, sport, friendship, and beauty are all avenues to know God and grow in love. Pier Giorgio’s life illustrates that joy can coexist with a deep commitment to faith.

Lifestyle of Simplicity and Generosity

He chose to give, to share, and to live not for possessions but for people. Even small acts, like sharing train tickets or medicine, reflect a profound commitment to generosity.

Hope in Suffering

His final illness did not erase his concern for others. Even in weakness, he reached out. His death reminds us that suffering, if surrendered, can become a place of grace.

Reflections and Invitation

• What aspects of Pier Giorgio’s life resonate with you? Is it his joy, his service, his love of beauty, or his commitment to justice?

• How might “going upwards” manifest in your own life? It may not always mean climbing literally but spiritually ascending by choosing love, integrity, and sacrifice.

• Are there ways, big or small, to live a more generous life? Consider sharing time, resources, or attention with those who are often overlooked.

  
  

Conclusion

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati stands as a bridge between the ordinary and the heroic. His canonisation in 2025 serves as a reminder that sanctity isn’t reserved for the clergy or those undertaking grand gestures; it is for all of us. This is especially true when we allow faith to shape how we live, who we befriend, and how we love the least among us.

His life is an invitation to live each day “verso l’alto”—towards the heights of God’s love—in friendship, joy, service, and courage.

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