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Above: Monte Viso, one of the mountains climed by Frassati.
A century ago, on July 4, 1925, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati passed away in Turin. Though only 24 years old, he left behind an enduring legacy of faith, selfless charity, and an abiding love for beauty that continues to inspire Catholic youth worldwide.
Born in Turin on April 6, 1901, Pier Giorgio grew up in the privileged milieu of a wealthy bourgeois family. His hometown, described by Pope John XXIII as a “city of saints, a city of benefactors renowned throughout humanity,”[1] provided fertile ground for his spiritual and cultural growth. Despite his affluent background, Pier Giorgio chose a path of humility and service. He dedicated himself to Catholic lay ministry, joining numerous associations—many of which in Italy now bear his name—and exemplified Gospel values with remarkable simplicity and generosity. Tragically, his vibrant life was cut short by a sudden bout of poliomyelitis.
In her affectionate memoir, Mio fratello Pier Giorgio: la fede (Milan 2004), his sister Luciana recounts his love of singing, despite his lack of musical talent. She fondly describes how Pier Giorgio, unbothered by his off-key baritone, eagerly participated in choirs and sang with gusto whenever the opportunity arose. For him, singing was not merely an activity but a spiritual necessity—a way to express joy and draw closer to God.
Liturgical music held a special place in Pier Giorgio’s heart. Whether under the sun, in misty mountain air, or even alone, he would lift his voice in song. Among his friends in the Italian Catholic Federation of University Students (FUCI), his passionate yet imperfect singing became a source of affectionate teasing. When chided for his “mooing” voice, Pier Giorgio would simply smile and reply, “Never mind: the important thing is to sing!”
Pier Giorgio’s appreciation for beauty extended far beyond music. He was an ardent lover of nature, especially the mountains, which he climbed with fervor. For him, each ascent was an opportunity to marvel at creation and contemplate the divine. His passion for the arts also led him to theaters, operas, and museums, and his artistic sensibilities were nurtured by his mother, Adelaide, a celebrated painter. With a strong classical education, Pier Giorgio often recited passages from Dante’s Divine Comedy with great emotion, revealing his belief that beauty was not merely a fleeting pleasure but a reflection of God’s grandeur.
During his father Alfredo’s († 1961) tenure as ambassador to Germany, Pier Giorgio eagerly explored the cultural riches of Berlin and Freiburg im Breisgau. In a letter to his mother on October 12, 1921, he shared his enthusiasm after attending a concert: “The other evening I went with Professor Rahner to a concert by a Polish musician, who played Beethoven and Chopin, and I thought of you, who love music so much.”[2]
The Frassati family’s love of music can be traced back to Alfredo, a devoted admirer of Richard Wagner († 1883). While studying in Germany, Alfredo attended many performances of Wagner’s works. Writing to his cousins in 1893, he noted, “I work a great deal; I have renounced the world and its pomp, but not the theater. I have seen the entire Wagner cycle, except for a few pieces—real jewels.”[3] In this environment, Pier Giorgio’s musical appreciation flourished, extending to composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven († 1827), Frederic Chopin († 1849), and the dramatic works of Friedrich Schiller († 1805).
Pier Giorgio’s love for music is evident not only in his personal experiences but also in the letters he wrote to his family and friends, which offer a window into his cultural engagement. While in Berlin, his sister Luciana wrote to their grandmother about their plans to attend Rigoletto (an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, based on the play by Victor Hugo), sung by the renowned baritone Mattia Battistini († 1928): “Tomorrow evening we are all—including Pier Giorgio, who seems very pleased to be in Berlin; it is a pity that he is staying such a short time—going to Rigoletto sung by Battistini.”[4]
Later, while in Freiburg im Breisgau, Pier Giorgio wrote to his friend Gian Maria Bertini on October 23, 1921: “Today, after lunch, I’m going to the theater to hear Mignon.”[5] On November 15, while in Prague, he attended Bedřich Smetana’s († 1884) Czech opera Dvĕ vdovy (The Two Widows) at the invitation of Rev. Nicola Levy. Writing to his mother the next day, he remarked, “It was very well performed.”[6] Later, in Vienna, he attended Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s († 1791) Don Giovanni. Reflecting on the experience, he wrote to his sister Luciana:
Last night I went to the opera, which I liked very much: I heard Don Giovanni. I expected to find a very elegant theater; instead, there were only a few gentlemen in black jackets and one or two in tuxedos—otherwise, everyone was in work clothes, even in the first and second-level boxes.[7]
For all his love of earthly music, Pier Giorgio understood that no composer could rival the celestial harmony of heaven. During a spiritual retreat in San Mauro Torinese, on March 26, 1923, he wrote to his friend Antonio Villani:
In these days, as we gather in the tranquility of this house to pray, I will pray for you, and you must pray a lot for me, so that, even if the demands of our careers force us to remain apart in this earthly life, we may at least be reunited one day in our true Homeland, to sing the praises of God together.[8]
Pier Giorgio Frassati’s life is a testament to the harmony of faith, charity, and the arts. A century after his passing, his radiant spirit continues to inspire, inviting all to find the divine in the beauty of creation and to seek joy in service to others.
[1] Radiomessage, March 27, 1960; translation ours.
[2] Lettere 1906-1925, Milano 1995, pp. 63-64; translation ours.
[3] L. Frassati, A Man, a Newspaper: Alfredo Frassati, Rome 1978, p. 35; translation ours.
[4] L. Frassati, A Man of Beatitudes. Pier Giorgio Frassati, San Francisco 2000, p. 73.
[5] aAnn opéra comique in three acts by Ambroise Thomas, based on Goethe’s novel Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship; Lettere 1906–1925, Milan 1995, p. 74; translation ours.
[6] Ibid., p. 83.
[7] Ibid., p. 86.
[8] Beato Pier Giorgio Frassati, terziario domenicano, Bologna 1985, p. 80; translation ours.