If saints had fan clubs, Pier Giorgio Frassati would probably have one of the largest. He might also have one of the most active social media followings, which is quite an achievement for someone who died in 1925!
More than a century after his death, young Catholics are still discovering him, quoting him, climbing mountains in his honor, sharing his photographs online, and generally behaving as though he were a friend they have somehow never quite met. This is no small achievement, considering the Church is not exactly short of saints.
The latest sign of his enduring popularity comes in the form of a newly released Book of Prayers in Honor of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, compiled by the Frassati Society Philippines and its collaborators. Available as a free digital download, the volume brings together prayers, novenas, litanies, reflections, and devotional texts intended to help readers deepen their relationship with Christ through the example and intercession of the young Italian whose rallying cry, Verso l'Alto ("To the Heights"), continues to inspire Catholics around the world.
The collection draws heavily on the pillars of Frassati's own spiritual life. Readers will find prayers centered on Christ in the Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, service to the poor, and the pursuit of holiness in ordinary life — all themes that shaped a young man who somehow managed to pack an astonishing amount of living into just 24 years.
From jokes to confession
And perhaps that is exactly why Frassati remains so appealing. While the Church has an impressive number of saintly men and women, the young Italian never seems to fit comfortably into the categories people expect. After all, he loved mountain climbing, lively debates, practical jokes -- with just the right amount of healthy naughtiness -- and really solid friendships. In fact, just looking through photographs of him, you get the distinct impression that he would have been such great company.
At the same time, this was also a young man who rose early for Mass, spent time in Eucharistic adoration, prayed the Rosary faithfully, and described Holy Communion as "the shortest route to Heaven." He had a deep devotion to Our Lady, drew inspiration from St. Catherine of Siena, immersed himself in the writings of St. Paul, and took confession seriously enough that he once stopped a priest in the street because he needed to confess immediately.
It's hard not to notice how naturally all these devotions coexisted alongside the rest of his life. Faith did not compete with friendship, adventure, laughter, politics, or service to the poor. It animated them. The young man carrying a rosary in his pocket was the same young man scrambling up mountains with friends and playing practical jokes.
Perhaps that is why each generation seems to adopt him as one of its own: Students admire his energy; hikers appreciate his love of the mountains; parents really appreciate his influence; and friends recognize his loyalty. Almost everyone finds something that they can recognize in themselves.
And that's exactly why a prayer book dedicated to him feels particularly fitting. For longtime devotees, it offers a rich collection of prayers and reflections inspired by his spirituality. For those meeting him for the first time, it provides an introduction to a saint who they'll love within minutes of hearing about him.
If you'd like a free copy of the book, then click on this link where you'll be able to download a digital copy. (The society will be sharing more information about physical copies shortly.) And then, as Frassati would say... "Verso l'Alto!"
