Father, you gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick. Through his intercession may we, too, walk the path of the beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Giovanni Card. Saldarini, Archbishop of Turin

"Jesus comes to me every morning in Holy Communion: I repay him in my very small way by visiting the poor".

"With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of the angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we only have if we are pure in heart and mind."

- (Pier Giorgio to the Catholic Youth of Pollone - 1923)

Pier Giorgio Frassati had it all- he was from a rich, aristocratic family, he was handsome, athletic, and full of life, and he had many friends. Yet he turned from a life of privilege to one of working for the poor, and was a courageous witness of Christian faith and charity to others- even though his parents discouraged his religious involvement at every turn.

He died suddenly of the polio virus 1925, at the age of 24, A Member of Parliament of the time wrote in his diary that day, "The best man in the world is dead!"

The story of Pier Giorgio's life and death spread throughout Italy and the world; in 1990 he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, who described him as the " the man of the eight beatitudes."

Young people today will find in Pier Giorgio a modern hero, a man whose love of God transformed his own life and the lives of the people around him.

"Pier Giorgio represented the pure, happy, handsome Christian youth, given to prayer, enthusiastic about everything that is free and beautiful, interested in social problems....This book describing a life that attained holiness many years ago deserves to be read today and meditated on."

- Karl Rahner - Introduction to "The Man of the Beatitudes, Pier Giorgio Frassati" by Luciana Frassati

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati - The Man of the Beatitudes

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin, Italy on 6 April 1901. From his early years, he demonstrated a special love for God through prayer and service of the poor. An average student but outstanding athlete, he made many friends in high school and university. He was an active member of several Catholic organizations which ministered to the poor, promoted Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion, and defended chastity. His strong political views led him to join movements which challenged society in its struggle about Christian values.

Although he was the son of a rich and politically influential family, Pier Giorgio mingled with all classes of people, spent his money on the needy, and regularly visited the sick. During one of these visits he contracted polio and died within a few days, on 4 July 1925, at the age of twenty-four.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20 May 1990 and gave him the title, "Man of the Eight Beatitudes." He is currently a candidate for canonization by the Catholic Church.

"By his example he proclaims that a life lived in Christ's Spirit, the Spirit of the Beatitudes, is "blessed", and that only the person who becomes a "man or woman of the Beatitudes" can succeed in communicating love and peace to others. He repeats that it is really worth giving up everything to serve the Lord. He testifies that holiness is possible for everyone, and that only the revolution of charity can enkindle the hope of a better future in the hearts of people."

-John Paul II, Rome, 20 May 1990

Please report extraordinary favors received to:

Postulazione Causa
P.G. Frassati
Borgo S. Spirito, 5
00100 Roma, Italia