July 4 | Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, picture this. It's the summer of 1925, in the bustling industrial city of Turin in northern Italy. A vibrant 24-year-old young man has just died suddenly from a rapid and terrible disease called polio. His wealthy family is in absolute shock. As they prepare for his funeral, they expect a quiet, highly- This is an exclusive gathering filled with the rich elites of northern Italy.

But as they look out the window on the day of the funeral, they are absolutely stunned. The streets are packed. Thousands upon thousands of homeless, sick, and impoverished people are lining the streets of Turin, weeping as the funeral procession goes by. His family is confused. They had no idea who these people were or how they possibly knew their son. It turns out, their fun-loving, athletic boy had a secret identity. He was a champion for the poor, a fierce fighter against fascism, and an incredibly holy guy who did almost all of his massive charitable work completely under the radar.

His name is Saint Pierre Giorgio Frassati, and today we are going to talk about how this mountain-climbing, joke-telling, justice-seeking guy became one of the greatest modern models of holiness, and why he is considered a patron saint for young people and has been named a patron for several world youth days. So, who was he?

To most people who knew him, he seemed to live a pretty ordinary life. He was an average student, a loyal member of his family, and a good friend who loved going on adventures. But what he really loved was the outdoors. Pierre Giorgio was a strong athlete and a highly skilled mountaineer. When he was trekking up massive Italian mountains, he would spend his time contemplating the sheer beauty of creation. He even had a famous catchphrase, a personal motto that he lived by, verso l'alto, which translates to, to the heights.

But Pier Giorgio wasn't just scaling physical mountains, he was climbing spiritual ones. He joined lots of different Catholic lay communities, like Catholic Action, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Young Christian Worker Movement. He would spend hours at Mass and in the total quiet of Eucharistic adoration. But here's the amazing part. He didn't just stay inside the church. He spent just as much time out in the gritty streets as he spent time out in the gritty streets. Hanging out in the company of the less fortunate.

Pier Giorgio had this incredible rule for his life. Jesus comes to me every morning in communion, and I return the visit by going to serve the poor. And he really did. His gentle nature and generous kindness were a lifeline to society's most vulnerable members. But remember that massive funeral? He did almost all of this charitable service secretly. He wasn't posting about his good deeds or bragging to his friends. He just quietly helped people because he saw Jesus in them.

But Pier Giorgio also knew that just handing out food wasn't enough if the whole system was broken. He was a fierce advocate against the dangerous rise of individualism and fascism in Italy. He marched in the streets and worked hard for justice. Taking inspiration from Catholic social teaching, he frequently said, charity is not enough. We need social reform. Even in his late teens and early 20s, he was boldly advocating for religious liberty, human dignity, and workers' rights.

Tragically, this total dedication to people on the margins ultimately cost him his life. While caring for the sick, he contracted polio from one of the people he was supporting, which incapacitated him in a matter of days. He died on July 4, 1925, at the age of just 24.

Pope John Paul II called him the Man of the Beatitudes and beatified him in 1990. And on September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV officially canonized him as a saint. Pier Giorgio is the ultimate model for achieving a holy balance. He proves that you can play sports, have fun with your friends, and enjoy God's creation, while also being totally devoted to your faith and helping others.

So, this week, do one act of secret service. Find someone in your family or your community who needs help, and help them without telling anyone else about it. Return Jesus' visit by serving someone who is overlooked. And the next time you face a challenge, whether it's a tough test, a difficult sports game, or standing up for what's right, remember Pier Giorgio's motto and shout it in your heart, Verso l'alto, to the heights. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.