"A Man of the Beatitudes"

Died: July 4, 1925

Beatified: May 20, 1990

Canonization set for: September 7, 2025

Feast Day (currently): July 4

Patron of: University Students

"Jesus is with me. I have nothing to fear."

"To live without faith, without a heritage to defend, without battling constantly for truth, is not to live but to get along; we must never just 'get along.'"

"Catholics, we and you, must bring the breath of goodness that can only spring from faith in Christ."

• Be Joyful
• Go on a rosary walk
• Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration (even just a few minutes)
• Attend daily Mass
• Give your time and talent to serve the poor (volunteer at the Food Pantry or in a soup kitchen, treat the poor and marginalized with love)
• Trade a favor to a friend for some spiritual time together (read Scripture, pray a rosary, etc)

A 24-year-old, lay Catholic, university student (at his death), this young man had already made it clear through his life actions that there was nothing more important than serving God in the poor and standing up for the Truth. 

Born at the beginning of the 20th century to an influential Italian family, Pier Giorgio Frassati was not afraid to put God first. In his short life, Pier Giorgio was a part of the Marian Sodality, the Apostleship of Prayer, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Action and the People's Party. His involvement in these organizations show his top priorities: the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, serving the sick, poor, and orphaned, and defending the Truth of the faith. 

From the time he joined the St. Vincent de Paul society at the age of 17, Frassati served with his whole heart and being. He was known to give up bus far to donate the funds and then run home as well as forgo family vacations to their lake home to keep serving the poor lest they be neglected in his absence. At his funeral, his family was shocked to see the streets lined with thousands of mourners the family didn't know (who Pier Giorgio had served) and the people were shocked in turn to find out he had been a "Frassati." 

Between his daily reception of the Eucharist (unusual for the time period) and studying mining engineering at the Royal Polytechnic University of Turin (in order to "serve Christ better among the miners"), Pier Giorgio was a typical well rounded, young adult. He loved the theater, opera, and museums as well as spending time outdoors, especially mountain climbing. He used these social opportunities with his friends to encourage them in their faith life. They would attend Mass together, read Scripture, or pray the rosary; sometimes in exchange for Pier Giorgio doing something for them (cleaning mountain climbing gear, for example).

His intense passion for the less fortunate and for God lead him to defend social justice and the faith even in the political arena. Frassati participated in a Church-organized demonstration in Rome where he ended up using the group's banner to not only rally those in the group but to fight off the blows of the police attacking their group. 

Most likely contracting it from the poor he served, Pier Giorgio Frassati died from poliomyelitis just prior to finishing his college degree. In 1981, his body was found to be completely intact and incorrupt.