Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Man for All Youth

By James Maldonado Berry
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 2/6/03)

Young people are always looking for someone with whom to identify, someone to whom they can relate. Many young Catholics serious about their Faith may have some trouble locating an individual they can look up to as an example of a devout, yet "normal" Catholic. Certainly the stories of saints gifted with mystical visions of the Lord and the Virgin Mary are beautiful for their inspirational message. However, for the young Catholic, these stories may seem a little bit distanced from the everyday experiences in which they find themselves. They need to hear stories of people who struggle through the daily grind, growing in sanctity by means of performing, what St. Therese would describe, little acts with great love. Since most of them will not be blessed with heavenly visions, these young people may be more inspired by stories of youths like them who grew to great holiness and virtue in the context of their everyday lives, despite the difficulties that often accompany this time of growth. The young have just that example in the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Born in Italy in 1901, Pier Giorgio was raised in a comfortable home with well-to-do parents. His father was and agnostic and the editor of a popular anti-Fascist newspaper and his mother was a painter. He always had a deep faith and love for God from the earliest days of his youth. He was good-looking, cultured, a gifted athlete and had many friends. He loved to play practical jokes on his friends, and enjoyed outings with them. In between finding time for his studies and taking trips with friends into the mountains, he devoted much attention to the poor of Turin. Although he came from a well-to-do family, he rarely ever had any money for himself. Whatever he received, he promptly gave to the poor. He tirelessly served the poor, saying, "Around the poor, I see a special light, one that we do not have."

Pier Giorgio was a man of joy; many of the pictures of him depict a young man radiating happiness. He once said; "Sadness should be banished from the hearts of Christians." Pier Giorgio’s life was centered on prayer and the reception of the Eucharist. This gave him the necessary strength to devote his remaining time and energy to the poor.

As well as being a deeply religious man, Pier Giorgio was also very much involved in the political concerns of the time. He marched in political demonstrations and was a member of a Catholic University youth league. At the young age of 24, he contracted polio from those he served and died shortly thereafter. His family was shocked at the turnout for his funeral. Thousands showed up, many of them the poor whom he served. They wished to express their love for this individual who so often served them with Christ-like love. Pope John Paul II beatified Pier Giorgio, calling him a "Man of the Beatitudes." After reflecting on his life, one can see that this is a perfect title for such a man.

Pier Giorgio’s younger sister, Luciana, has devoted her life to making the life of her brother known to the world. She has written two books, one entitled A Man of the Beatitudes: Pier Giorgio Frassati, and the second that was just recently published is entitled My Brother Pier Giorgio: His Last Days. The latter chronicles his final struggle with the poliovirus and is a moving account of his trust in God and love for his family despite the excruciating pain that accompanied his illness. In A Man of the Beatitudes, the reader is given an intimate look into the life of a young man who struggled with many of the things common to youth today; falling in love, discerning one’s vocation in life, even struggling with exams.

Throughout the ordinary circumstances in his life, Pier Giorgio never compartmentalized his faith. Rather, his faith filled every aspect of his life, whether out with his friends, at home with his family or visiting the poor in Turin. In a society that would prefer to see the practice of religion confined to Sunday Mass, Pier Giorgio is a welcome example for youths to emulate. He brought the reality and experience of Christ to others through his love for them. The two books written by his sister are quick-reads and one is left instantly attracted to this man of God.

The attractiveness of Pier Giorgio is that he was an everyday man who lived a life of extraordinary virtue. He turned the ordinary events of his life into opportunities to grow in holiness. This is the calling of all Christians. Young people are faced with many difficult choices and often feel overwhelmed. Added to this is a feeling that they are alone in their trials, they see older people as being out of touch with their generation. Often, living a "holy" life and living a "normal" life are put at odds with each other when they do not have to be. In Pier Giorgio, the fun loving meets the virtuous and holy. This is the way it should be.

There is a reason why the current Holy Father places so much attention on the youths of the world. He has traveled to the ends of the earth for the bi-annual World Youth Day to show young people that they have an irreplaceable role in the Church and in the modern world. The Church has much to benefit from the enthusiasm and energy of the youth. In return, the youth find in the Church a source of strength, fulfillment and peace in the Person of Jesus Christ. Millions of youth have turned out to respond to John Paul II’s call. Often the Holy Father has spoken of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati as an example of someone who lived his life to the fullest, despite his early death. Young Catholics today would do well to discover Pier Giorgio. In him they will encounter themselves and, ultimately, Christ.

Berry is a senior at Christendom College in Front Royal. He is an Intercollegiate Studies Institute Honor’s Fellow and participant in the Acton Institute’s "Towards a Free and Virtuous Society" conference.

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