Pier Giorgio Frassati - Man of the Beatitudes*

Pier Giorgio Frassati – Man of the Beatitudes*

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Turin, Italy, 1922 – the Life of the man in Imitation of Christ

“Young people today who are looking for a role model will find someone to identify with in this vibrant young outdoorsman who combined a deep love for Christ, a desire to serve the needy, and a mission to imbue society and politics with Christian ideals.

“Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin, Italy on Holy Saturday, April 9, 1901. His father, an agnostic, was the founder and director of the Liberal newspaper La Stampa, and was influential in Italian politics, serving the term as senator, and later was Italy’s ambassador to Germany. Spent the flower of his youth between two world wars when Italy was in social ferment and Fascism was on the rise.

“Pier Giorgio developed a deep spiritual life which he never hesitated to share with friends. In 1918 he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to serving the sick and the needy. He decided to become a mining engineer so he could “serve Christ better among miners,” as he told a friend. His studies however did not keep him from social activism. In 1919, he joined the Catholic Student Federation and the Popular, a political organization which promotes the Catholic Church’s teachings…

“Charity is not enough: we need social reform,” he used to say, as he worked for both. He also gave his time to help establish a Catholic daily newspaper, Momento which was based on the principles of Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical on social and economic matters, Rerum Novarum…

“Pier Giorgio gave to help the poor, even using his train fare for charity and then running home to be on time for meals in a house where punctuality and frugality were the law… At graduation, given the choice by his father of money or a car he chose the money and gave it to the poor… He kept a small ledger book containing detailed accounts of his transactions…

“Pier Giorgio also spent time in the countryside with friends; mountain climbing was one of his favorite sports. On these outings, however, the young friends did not hesitate to share their religious inspiration and spiritual lives. Beneath the smiling exterior of the restless university student was concealed the amazing life of a mystic. Love for Jesus motivated his actions. He assisted at Mass and communion daily, often serving Mass and making a lengthy thanksgiving afterwards.

“He felt a strong mysterious urge to be near the Blessed Sacrament… He loved the rosary, a family practice, and prayed it three times daily after becoming a Dominican tertiary… He frequented opera, theatres, and museums; he loved art and music and could quote whole chunks of Dante.

“In late June 1925 Pier Giorgio was afflicted by an acute attack of poliomyelitis. He died on July 4, 1925. At the funeral procession the family was surprised to find the streets of the city lined with thousands of mourners particularly the poor and needy whom he served unselfishly for 7 years.”

Mr. George H. Kubeck, O.P. –* http://www.bettnet.com/frassati? – Tuesday, January 18, 2011