Who was Pietro Frassati? When we search for this question, we most often find the answer: a Lay Dominican. What is the truth which really lies behind this laconic description? What is the life story of this young man? And where did the words “verso l’alto” come from? While we have been working on the reliquary dedicated to Frassati, we tried to learn as many details about his life as possible. Now we must admit, that it was surprisingly beautiful.
Who was Pietro Frassati?
He was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin.
From a young age, he was an active member of various communities. Interestingly, at the age of 13, as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer and the Company of the Blessed Sacrament, he began to receive Holy Communion daily.
Nowadays many young people today choose this path. However, let’s remember that this was 1914. At that time, such a behavior it was neither popular nor easy to achieve.
Searching for Beauty…
Frassati went through life searching for its beauty. He loved painting, a passion he inherited from his mother. Adelaide Ametis was a famous painter. Her paintings were commissioned by, among others, King Victor Emmanuel III. After her son’s death, she decorated the walls of the crypt where his body was laid.
Pietro Frassati – Spiritual Climbing.
Peter loved mountain hiking. He admired the beauty of the Alpine monuntains, so that he became a member of the Italian Mountaineering Club. However, mountains were not only a physical challenge, but also a space to meet God. Wandering with friends on the Pian Della Mussa plain in Italy, at an altitude of 1,850 meters above sea level, he founded the informal “Wise Guys”.
The “Wise Guys” not only hiked together in the mountains. They also helped the poor people and supported each other through prayer in their daily lives. Their motto was: Pochi ma buoni come i maccheroni (Few but good, like macaroni).
Are you still thinking about the name of this organization? Are you wondering how a man who had been blessed could found the “Wise Guys”? Please, let me remind you of his words:
You ask me if I’m cheerful: how could I not be? As long as faith gives me strength, I will always be cheerful: sadness should be banished from Catholic souls once and for all.
Helping the Poor People.
Frassati became deeply involved in Catholic Action. He often (sometimes secretly from his family), rushed to help, both spiritually and materially. He visited neighborhoods where other people did not go. Pierre was well-known and well-liked there. He brought people food, medicine and… flowers. Why? Because he knew that flowers could bring joy, but that no one in need would spend money on them. He also gave people time and attention, things we all have and still give too little of these days. Pope Francis emphasized this in one of his statements:
Frassati was deeply involved in Catholic Action. Often, secretly from his family, he rushed to offer help, both spiritual and material. He frequented neighborhoods where his loved ones would not venture. He was well-known and well-liked. Peter brought people food, medicine… but also flowers. He knew that flowers were something that could bring joy, but that no one in need would spend money on. He also gave people what we all have in recent times and still give too little of- his time and attention. Pope Francis also emphasized this in one of his statements:
Frassati offered those in need far more than material gifts. He gave of himself, his time, his words, his ability to listen.
Last Days and Beatification of Pietro Frassatti.
Peter got infected polio from the person he cared for. He died on July 4, 1925. The funeral ceremony attended by hundreds of people. Just because of that many people learn how much he did for poor.
On May 20, 1990, Pope John Paul II beatified Pierre Frassati. We celebrate his feast day on July 4.
And what about the words: “verso l’alto”?
We carved these words on the reliquary, although they were not his personal motto. Pier Giorgio wrote them on the back of a photo a friend took of him while climbing on June 7, 1925. It was his last trip. We took “verso l’alto,” meaning “upward,” as a symbol of life’s “daily climbing” with prayer and hope, as describes Fr. John Nepil, author of the article “The True Meaning of “Verso l’Alto”:
No matter what we do in this life, from a successful climb in the Alps to a walk in the countryside, if we don’t do this “verso l’alto,” it is not a true spiritual life.
Prayer before the work for the intercession of the blessed Pietro Frassati:
While working on the reliquary, we have found a prayer for the intercession of the Blessed Pietro Giorgio Frassati:
Best Father, through the intercession of Blessed Pietro Giorgio Frassati, I fervently beg You, teach me to conscientiously fulfill my duties, even though they are often gray and monotonous. Do not let me flee from them in pursuit of tempting and easy attractions. God, give me Your light so that I may know what is most important at any given moment and grant me the strength to always pursue it. Lord, open me completely to Your action and make me a responsible person, so that the fate of God’s Kingdom on earth may be my priority at every moment of my life. Amen.
If you enjoy the stories of saints and blessed, please, read:
Blessed Millennial- who was Carlo Acutis?
The reliquary for the relics of Peter Frassati is available in our online store:
