Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was born in Turin, Italy to a prominent and wealthy family. He attended a state school until he was 14 when he was sent to a private run by the Jesuits. While at school he became a member of the Marian Sodality and the Apostleship of Prayer. He also obtained permission to receive daily Communion which was rare at that time. At 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He demonstrated his commitment to care for the poor and sick, helping demobilised servicemen returning from World War I, and giving his bus fare to those in need. Pier Giorgio had an intense prayer life, spending hours in eucharistic adoration and daily praying a rosary on his knees by his bedside.

This vibrant young man was also an avid outdoorsman. He loved mountain-climbing, hiking, riding horses, skiing, and sharing jokes and pranks with his friends. He used these activities to share his Faith, an apostolate of persuasion. He always carried a rosary and was known to give them away to his friends. He was an active member in many Catholic student groups. He opposed fascism at a dangerous time in Italy’s history. He was arrested during a demonstration at Young Catholic Workers Congress in Rome. In 1922, he joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. Unfortunately, he contracted polio, likely from the poor he served so diligently, at the age of 24 and died just six days later.
 
This handsome young man has become a global patron for youth and young adults. Like many young people he had difficulties with exams and problems with his parents, but he formed his life around Jesus. St. John Paul II declared him a patron for World Youth Days. He was beatified in 1990. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!