Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, to Alfredo Frassati, founder and director of the prominent newspaper La Stampa, and Adelaide Ametis, an artist with a strong and resolute character. He had one sibling, Luciana, a sister a year younger, who was both his inseparable playmate and study companion. Raised in an upper-middle-class family with liberal views, Pier Giorgio’s upbringing was shaped by a father who was agnostic and a mother who, though a formal believer, imparted to him only the basics of faith. Remarkably, it was this nascent faith that blossomed unexpectedly in Pier Giorgio, becoming the cornerstone of his life.
He began his education at the public Massimo d’Azeglio school but later transferred to the Jesuit-run Istituto Sociale after struggling with Latin. There, Pier Giorgio embraced a practice that defined his spiritual life: daily Communion, which he would continue for the rest of his days. It was also during this time that he joined the Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul, beginning his lifelong commitment to serving the poor.
In 1918, he enrolled at the Polytechnic University of Turin to study mining engineering, driven by his desire “to serve Christ even more among the miners.” Active in Catholic youth circles, he joined the Cesare Balbo branch of the FUCI (Federation of Italian Catholic University Students), which became a vital source of Christian formation and fellowship. Pier Giorgio lived by the motto of Catholic Action: Prayer, Action, Sacrifice, and wore its badge proudly on his lapel.
His spiritual life was profound, centered on the Eucharist, prayer, and frequent confession. A deep love for Sacred Scripture—then largely inaccessible to laypeople—led him to obtain the texts for personal study. Trusting fully in Jesus’ words, Pier Giorgio saw God in every neighbor, especially the poor. He often referred to himself as “poor like all the poor” and demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for generosity through acts of charity, both individually and as part of his work with the Conferences of Saint Vincent. He ministered tirelessly in the impoverished neighborhoods of Turin, at Cottolengo, and even in the factories during the socially volatile post-World War I years.
Convinced of the need for social justice, Pier Giorgio joined the Italian Popular Party in 1920, viewing it as a vehicle for societal reform. His commitment to justice extended to open opposition to fascism. He criticized, with stern resolve, the compromises of the Popular Party as it aligned with Mussolini’s regime.
In 1920, when his father was appointed ambassador to Germany, Pier Giorgio traveled to Berlin, where he visited slums and engaged with young Catholic student and worker groups. A year later, during a Catholic Youth demonstration in Rome, he famously defended his group’s banner from royal guards, an act of bravery that led to his arrest.
Inspired by the writings of St. Catherine of Siena and the fiery sermons of Savonarola, Pier Giorgio entered the Third Dominican Order in 1922, taking the name Fra Girolamo. He was actively involved in various Catholic organizations, promoting Christian values and working as a propagandist for Catholic newspapers, despite being the son of the director of a secular publication.
Passionate about the outdoors, he was a member of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) and Giovane Montagna. His mountain excursions with friends, affectionately dubbed the “Shady Guys,” were opportunities for both recreation and apostolate. Beyond this, he loved theater, opera, museums, painting, music, and literature, memorizing large passages of Dante’s works.
Pier Giorgio’s compassion knew no bounds. His time, energy, and resources were given freely to the poor and the sick, even at great personal cost. Tragically, in the summer of 1925, just two months before graduating, he contracted polio, likely from his work among the destitute. On July 4, 1925, at the age of 24, Pier Giorgio passed away in Turin.
His funeral revealed the hidden magnitude of his sanctity. Thousands from all walks of life filled the streets, honoring the young man whose life had been a beacon of Christian love and service. This marked the beginning of a journey that led to his beatification by Pope John Paul II on May 20, 1990. Today, Pier Giorgio Frassati continues to inspire countless people worldwide with his joyful witness to faith, charity, and holiness.
