Feast of Beato Piergiorgio Frassati

Beato Piergiorgio Frassati, ora pro nobis

July 4th is the feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Dominican Tertiary. Born on April 6, 1901, to a wealthy family in Torino, Pier studied mechanical engineering with a specialization in mining. More interested in helping the poor minors than his studies, he was often reproached by his father. Preferring prayers and charitable works to his schooling, Pier joined every Catholic association he could, including the Conferenza di San Vincenzo and l’Azione Cattolica. A professed member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, he assumed the religious name of Girolamo after Girolamo Savonarola. In 1924 he even founded the society of Tipi Loschi (“swindlers and swindlerettes” or “shady characters”) with his close friends to organize hikes and mounting climbing, as well as to assist one another with their interior lives and to help the less fortunate.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati unexpectedly died of Polio on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24. Thousands, mostly the sick and poor, turned up for his funeral. Impressed by the turnout, his broken-hearted father finally realizes who his son was and returns to the faith.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to Beato Piergiorgio Frassati written by Cardinal Giovanni Saldarni, Archbishop of Turin. The photo of the relic from the wood of the coffin of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The relic is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva Beato Piergiorgio Frassati!

Prayer to Beato Piergiorgio Frassati

O Father, you gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in the 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. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

* Learn more about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati