Testimony of Geraldine L. from USA

Dear Holy Father ~ As a grandmother of eight young children, I would encourage them to read the biography of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. This young man is a wonderful example of sainthood. Young people need someone like him to help them in this century. I believe they could relate to him and emulate him if he were canonized. I will be asking Bl. Giorgio to pray for my grandchildren. Thank you, Holy Father, and may God bless you.

Geraldine 

Testimony of Rhiannon B. from USA

Blessed Giorgio Frassati; a man who I didn't even know about for most of my life yet serves as an example of everything I would ever want to be as a young person in the church. 

Before I learned anything about Blessed Giorgi Frassati the only time he would vaguely be mentioned was if my youth minister brought him up momentarily in a conversation saying how much she loved him; plus she would only refer to him as hottie Frassati (seriously not a joke) so for the longest time I didn't even know the mans first name.

I didn't know a single thing about his life and didn't really care to know because to me it just seemed like he would be another perfect person of the church that couldn't apply to my life circumstances and wouldn't be anything like me. That was until he was introduced to me when I was on a retreat. 

It seemed like this specific talk on a person would be any other from the week, but something was different. When the leaders would talk about a saint or person of the church they wouldn't say their name right off the bat but rather they would give a little introduction and speak about the persons life. So all I was hearing were facts about his life. All the points made him come alive in me. Him being an athlete, growing up wealthy yet wanting more in a spiritual sense, and coming from parents who didn't support his faith yet he continued to do God's work on his own; it all made him stand out because it seemed like he was one of us and lived the life of this generation of catholic youth that I've grown up in. It allowed for a connection I hadn't felt before with any historical person of the church. Fact after fact I wanted to know more and almost needed to know who the man they were speaking about was. So when they finally said the name Giorgio Frassati I was taken back and almost surprised. I thought to myself was this the man who my youth minister was obsessed over. The little block of time during retreat to hear about Giorgi Frassati wasn't enough for me and I had still desired to know more about this man on my own. I gradually learned more about his life and how he ministered to the poor, promoted Eucharist adoration, personal chastity and Marian devotion. Every aspect of his life including his last actions of caring for a sick man's future needs rather than his own death inspired me to make my life more like his. He is a model for me and just how easily I can make my faith my own even at a young age. In the words of Giorgi Frassati I'm striving to live my life "Verso I'alto" meaning towards the top. 

That's how I came to learn about Blessed Giorgio Frassati and why I truly believe he is all deserving of sainthood!

-Rhiannon

Testimony of Maria S. from the Philippines

My introduction to Bl. Pier Giorgio came about randomly through one of Bishop Robert Barron's "Word on Fire" videos. Bishop Barron commented about Bl. Pier Giorgio and got me curious enough to seek out more information and videos on YouTube. HIs life and faith was so inspiring and touching that I found myself having an occasional conversation with Bl. Pier Giorgio, albeit one-sided. Then one night, as my scoliosis pain was giving me so much discomfort, I simply said, "Bl. Pier Giorgio, please heal my back." Off to sleep I went with that last thought. When I woke up, there was none of that lingering stiffness that usually comes after a bad episode of pinched nerves.
That was about two weeks ago and I'm still doing fine. Thank you, Bl. Pier Giorgio!!! To God be the glory!!!

-Maria

Testimony of Gelina M. from Australia

I came to know Bl. Pier Giorgio in 2008 during World Youth Day in Sydney. His bio in the booklet we received intrigued me. Years later, he came up in talks and books suggested to me, and I learned more in depth, his life and the way he lived out the Gospel. Unique to him is the way he lived out the Gospel, not through 'obvious piety', but in his vocation as a layperson, being a man amidst the people, amidst the sheep, meeting them where they are and leading them to Christ through his joy, authentic friendship, and firm faith

-Gelina

Testimony of Claudia B. from USA

I knew about Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati when I met the Catholic Movement "Comunione e Liberazione", in 1982. I read his biography "Verso l'Alto", by don Primo Soldi. I instantly fell in love with his person, so pure and determined, so true, so in love with Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was only 22 then and Pier Giorgio became my brother from then on. Through a friend of mine, a priest, who knew Luciana Frassati, Pier Giorgio's sister, I had a beautiful autographed image of Pier Giorgio and I hold this picture in my kids' bedroom since then. I know he is looking after us and praying for us and all the young people around the world. I hope he will be canonized soon. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us.

-Claudia

Testimony of Patricia R. from USA

I am young at heart. I came to know about Pier Giorgio through my young parish priest. I from my first learning about him, I went on to read about his life and have continually grown to love young people even more. I feel even closer to Pier Giorgio because I share my birthday with his feast day. I feel connected to home even more with the youth and especially with a youth from my maternal grandmother's home country. I desire to grow in relationship with these young people so because of the desires I wish, hope and pray for in my children, especially the children who have turned away from their relationship with Jesus Christ and their own family. And also I see the excitement Pier Giorgio brings to my other child and friend in desiring to lead a life growing closer to Jesus Christ and the vocation they are discerning. Pray for us dear Pier Giorgio, with Blessed Mary in the Blessed Trinity.

-Patricia

Testimony of Benjamin A. from USA

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassatti is my confirmation saint, and an older brother to me! When I was having my reversion to the faith and entering an RCIA program, Frassatti was introduced to me. I was quickly captivated by his joy and his heart to serve. He continues to teach me how to live in Christ's heart and to invite others into that most important relationship. Pier Giorgio is a model to me of how to live an authentic witness of the life Jesus promised: a life of abundance.

-Benjamin

Testimony of Michael L. from USA

I first encountered Blessed Pier Giorgio at a Steubenville conference in San Diego. I found a shirt that had several saints on it and he was the only person I did not know. I looked him up and thought he was awesome! They say there is a saint out there that we can each relate to and Blessed Pier Giorgio is that for me. Pier Giorgio lived what seemed to be an ordinary life. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, family, loved sports and just loved life! But what made him extraordinary was his love for Jesus. This was the center of his reality, the One True Reality, and because Pier Giorgio saw this he became who the Lord truly made him to be, and because of this he was able to change the lives around him and change the world. He is the perfect example for youth. The Lord can work in your life if you only allow him. We are all starving for happiness and true joy in this life, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati shows us that through love of Christ and love for others is the only way to find this everlasting joy. So please Pope Francis, we the youth and young adults of the world ask that you canonize our example Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, so that more in the world can see the impact that loving Jesus can have on their lives. Verso L'alto!

In Christ,
Michael

Testimony of Jacob N. from USA

Dear Pope Francis,

Let me first and foremost state might admiration for the way you are living out your pontificate! It is truly inspiring to see your servant's heart at work ministering and loving the poor, forgotten, and destitute; the witness you are making of what genuine love-in-action looks like is incredible!

Now, onto the business at hand, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati! Frassati holds a near and dear place in my heart for a number of reasons. Ironically enough, my deep respect and admiration for Pier is only about 2.5 years in the making, but it has truly been a pround 2.5 years. Blessed Pier Giorgio is the namesake and inspiration for a Catholic Young Adult Men's Household myself and a couple other friends started 2.5 years ago. Since then we have formed a Men's group of nearly 15 people that has been meeting every Monday for over two years now. The purpose of the Frassati Household and the Frassati Fellowship Men's group is to foster Brotherhood, Accountability, and growth in the Virtuous Beatitudes with Bl. Pier Giorgio, the man of the beatitudes, being our role model! 

All of that being said, I want to express my deepest convictions that Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati be Canonized a Saint because I can attest that his example and intercessions for myself and my friends have been profound and in some ways nothing short of miraculous in today's day and age.

Verso l'Alto!

Gratefully in Christ,
Jacob Niemeier

Testimony of Alycia K. from USA

By the grace of God I heard about Blessed Pier Giorgio a few years ago when I had my reconversion to the Catholic faith. However, the only thing I knew about him was that he was a young man that loved and served the poor and his mantra was Verso l'alto which means "To the Heights". It wasn't till these past few months that I began to learn more about him.
I was helping out with a youth retreat in my diocese when I heard a good friend of mine give the last talk of the retreat that we called "The Challenge." She mentioned Blessed Pier Giorgio's mantra Verso l'alto and how a lot of people thought that the mantra meant to climb the heights of a mountain but it actually meant that the height of the Catholic faith is the most Holy Eucharist! It was then that I felt my heart and eyes had been opened to the beauty of what this mantra pointed to....Jesus Christ body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. 

My second encounter was just recently. I had been blessed to go on a pilgrimage to Rome with a group of people who are involved with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Stundents) these past few weeks July 5th-25th. Towards the end of our trip we traveled to Turin and Pollone. These places are the centers of Pier Giorgio's life. We were able to have mass at his tomb in Turin and then we traveled to Pollone to see where he lived. We had a tour of the house and mass in the room that had all his things from when he died in Turin. The one thing that stuck out to me that the priest who showed us the house explained was about Giorgio's life, was his family. His father was Agnostic and his mother was a cradle Catholic. His family didn't understand why he did the things he did like going to Mass and serving the poor, but most importantly why he took the Catholic faith so seriously. Never less he always prayed for them and loved them no matter what. I started to relate to him in that way because my family has fallen away from the faith and it's very hard for me to come home and live my faith out. It wasn't till Pier Giorgio's death that his family understood him, his faith and who he was giving his life to. This man has give me the hope in Jesus Christ that one day my family will come back to the faith. I have to continue to witness to the truth of the faith and to give love to my family that Christ has for them. I pray through the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati for all youth and their families that they may experience the great love and mercy that God has and wants to give to them. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!

-Alycia

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