Pier Giorgio Frassati | |
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Layman | |
Born | Turin, Kingdom of Italy | 6 April 1901
Died | 4 July 1925 Turin, Kingdom of Italy | (aged 24)
Venerated in | Catholic Church |
Beatified | 20 May 1990, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II |
Major shrine | Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Turin, Italy |
Feast | 4 July |
Patronage |
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Pier Giorgio Frassati (6 April 1901 – 4 July 1925) was an Italian Catholic activist and a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic.[2][3] He was dedicated to Catholic social justice issues and joined several charitable organizations, including Catholic Action and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul,[4] to better aid the poor and less fortunate living in his hometown of Turin; he put his own pious beliefs into practice to cater to their needs and was best known for his devotion and amiable character.[5][6]
Frassati was an avid mountaineer who often climbed with his friends; he was an able swimmer and athlete best known for engaging in such social activities with a range of like-minded friends.[7] His charitable outreach towards others knew no bounds for he identified with and aided the poor and ill from his childhood. His social status granted him greater freedom in aiding others who needed it most.[8]
His cause for canonization opened in 1932 after the Turin poor made several pleas for such a cause to open. Pope Pius XII suspended the cause in 1941 due to a range of allegations later proven to be false, which allowed for the cause to resume. Pope John Paul II beatified Frassati in May 1990 and dubbed him the "Man of the Eight Beatitudes".[2] He is set to be canonized in 2025.[9]