To The Heights: The Story of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Summary

Pier Giorgio Frassati, born into a wealthy family in Turin, Italy, in 1901, led a life defined by faith, joy, and selfless service to others. Despite family struggles and academic challenges, he devoted himself to helping the poor, participating in political activism, and deepening his relationship with Christ. His humility, charity, and love for others were evident in his actions, from helping the sick to walking instead of taking the train to save money for charity. Pier Giorgio's untimely death at 24 left a profound impact on his community, and his legacy continues to inspire young people around the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in 1901 in Turin, Italy, into a wealthy family but faced personal struggles due to his parents' troubled marriage and lack of parental attention.
• 😀 Despite his family's wealth and status, Pier Giorgio's deep love for Jesus led him to a life of self-sacrifice, helping the poor and sick, often in secret.
• 😀 As a child, Pier Giorgio displayed great compassion, such as sharing his soup with a sick child and giving his shoes to a beggar, showing his early awareness of suffering.
• 😀 Pier Giorgio struggled academically throughout his life, but his deep faith and connection to the Jesuit school he attended ignited his love for Jesus and his commitment to prayer.
• 😀 Although his parents hoped he would take over the family newspaper, Pier Giorgio dreamed of becoming a mining engineer to help the working poor.
• 😀 Despite his lack of academic success, Pier Giorgio led a joyful, fun-loving life, enjoying activities like mountain climbing, poetry, and opera, and maintaining deep friendships.
• 😀 Pier Giorgio secretly attended Mass and helped the needy while balancing his studies, all to avoid conflict with his family, especially his disapproving mother.
• 😀 He had a strong sense of justice, publicly speaking out against fascism and advocating for the church's teachings on justice, even though his political views caused tension with his family.
• 😀 Pier Giorgio fell in love with a girl in his group of friends but chose to renounce his feelings for her, prioritizing her happiness and peace in the family over his own desires.
• 😀 Pier Giorgio's untimely death from tuberculosis at the age of 24 shocked his family, who had no idea of his extensive charity work and impact on the community, evidenced by the large turnout at his funeral.

Q & A

Who was Pier Giorgio Frassati and when was he born?

Pier Giorgio Frassati was a young man of great faith and charity, born in Turin, Italy, in 1901 to a wealthy family. He became a saint known for his love of Jesus, dedication to helping the poor, and his joyful, non-judgmental nature.

What was the nature of Pier Giorgio's family life?

Pier Giorgio grew up in a wealthy family where his parents had a turbulent marriage and often neglected their children. Despite the family's wealth, the home environment was emotionally strained, with little affection or support from his parents.

What was Pier Giorgio's relationship with his sister Luciana?

Pier Giorgio and his sister Luciana shared a very close bond. Luciana was his main companion, and the two grew up together, often isolated from the outside world due to their mother's insecurities and emotional struggles.

How did Pier Giorgio show compassion toward others at a young age?

From a young age, Pier Giorgio displayed compassion by helping those in need. He shared his food with a sick child at school and gave his shoes to a beggar woman, quietly performing acts of kindness without seeking recognition.

How did Pier Giorgio's faith develop during his youth?

Pier Giorgio's faith grew significantly after attending a Jesuit school at the age of 10. He began praying the rosary daily, attending Mass regularly, and developing a strong personal devotion to Jesus, despite his mother's concerns about him wanting to become a priest.

What were Pier Giorgio's social and political views?

Pier Giorgio was deeply concerned about social justice and often spoke out against fascism. He was politically active, advocating for the poor and oppressed, and worked in organizations both religious and political to promote justice.

How did Pier Giorgio help the poor despite his family's financial situation?

Though his father gave him little spending money, Pier Giorgio spent what he had on helping the poor. He would walk instead of using public transport and wear his clothes until they were worn out, making small sacrifices to assist those in need.

What were Pier Giorgio's career aspirations, and how did they differ from his father's expectations?

Pier Giorgio aspired to become a mining engineer, as he felt a strong connection to the poor miners. However, his father had different expectations, hoping that he would take over the family business, a newspaper, which Pier Giorgio was not interested in.

What happened to Pier Giorgio's health, and how did he die?

Pier Giorgio contracted tuberculosis while caring for the sick, and within one week of falling ill, he passed away on July 4, 1925, at the age of 24. His death was a shock to many, as he had always been healthy and active.

How did Pier Giorgio's funeral reflect his impact on the community?

Pier Giorgio's funeral saw a large turnout of mourners from all walks of life, both rich and poor, who were unaware of the full extent of his charity work. This demonstrated the deep and widespread love and admiration people had for him, despite his humble and secretive nature.

What is the significance of Pier Giorgio's canonization and his legacy today?

Pier Giorgio was canonized in 1981, and his tomb was found to contain an incorrupt body, a sign of his holiness. Today, he is the patron saint of Catholic youth, inspiring young people with his example of faith, joy, charity, and love for others.