St. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Today (4th July) is the feast day of Pier Giogio Frassati, and not just the feast day but first feast day of St. Pier Giorgio as well! 

Frassati was canonised in September last year, along with St. Carlo Acutis, by Pope Leo XIV. Back then, my focus was on St. Carlo, and no wonder, he was in life a truly remarkable young man - well, boy, really, as he died aged just 15. I am quite sure that in the years to come, he will, like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, become an even more remarkable saint.

In the last few months, though, I have found myself thinking about St. Pier Giorgio Frassati more. In truth, he was hardly less remarkable in life than St. Carlo. Born in 1901 into a rich Milanese family, Frassati used his portion of that wealth to help the poor of his hometown. 

When he died aged just 24 (from polio, probably contracted from one of the people he helped along the way), the Frassati family were astonished by the numbers of people who came out to pay their respects. Pier Giorgio remembered the poor, and the poor remembered him. 

Earlier this morning, I asked myself what is it about Pier Giorgio that I like so much? I think the answer, at least today, is threefold:

1. His evident holiness. He not only helped the poor but went out of his way to do so. When he travelled by train, he could have gone first class. Instead, he went Third and gave the difference away to the poor. 
2. His vibrancy. He didn't just live, he really lived. Frassati enjoyed mountain climbing as a hobby. That wakes me up and gives me 25% more energy just thinking about it! I'm sure it did even more for him.
3. His friendliness. Pier Giorgio had a very friendly and attractive personality. And he didn't use it for his own glory, so's to speak, but to bring people to God. 

Basically, Pier Giorgio Frassati is the kind of man I would like - in my own particular way - to be. It doesn't matter that I am now 30 years older than him. When you come face-to-face, as it were, with someone like Frassati, age doesn't matter. It's all about the personality, leading to the relationship with God, leading to the holiness. 

I can't finish this post without mentioning PGF's famous motto, scribbled onto a post card he once wrote: verso l'alto! To The Heights! Every day, even if it is by just one step, I pray that I too may be able to ascend the heights of faith. In so doing, I ask for Frassati's intercession.

image

one of my favourite images of PGF

Catholic Journey

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati - pray for us!