Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena

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Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is a modern model of Catholic young adult life. His devotion to his faith is still an inspiration to young adults today. His care for the poor was honorable. As such a recent figure, he is extremely relatable to young adults. Bl. Pier Giorgio serves as a wonderful model for living as Christ taught us.

Pray the Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena to ask for his intercession!

About Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Italy in 1901. His father began a popular newspaper and was well-known in the government. As a result, the Frassatis were wealthy. 

Pier Giorgio was blessed with a devotion to God from a young age. His childlike faith centered on the Eucharist and Mary. 

Pier Giorgio saw his wealth as a way to care for others. His first concern was with the poor. The majority of his spending money went to those who did not have enough food. He befriended many of the poor people in his neighborhood.

Pier Giorgio would care for their needs as Christ taught us. He did these acts quietly. No one knew who he was. His family also didn’t realize the extent of his charity.

Everything Pier Giorgio did, he did passionately and wholeheartedly. He held strong political views on facism. He received the rare privilege to be a daily Communicant. He was an active participant in the Marian Solidarity, the Apostleship of Prayer, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Catholic Student Foundation, Catholic Action, and the People’s Party.

Pier Giorgio was an average Catholic young adult. He was a college student in Italy. His major was mining engineering. He joined many Catholic organizations. Pier Giorgio’s other passions included mountain climbing, art and music, and attending the theater or opera. 

When he was 24, Pier Giorgio fell ill with polio. The doctors believed he got sick from the poor he served. On his deathbed, he asked a friend to look after someone he had been serving. His illness was actually so severe because he had been too busy taking care of his sick grandmother to worry after his own health.

Pier Giorgio died on July 4, 1925. His family was shocked to see how many poor people attended his funeral. Likewise, the poor were shocked to find out who his family was and how wealthy he was.

Today, Pier Giorgio is revered especially by the Catholic young adult community. He loved practical jokes. He enjoyed adventure. He appreciated art. 

Yet, his humility, care for the poor, and deep faith set him apart. He is an inspiration to all young adults today.

In 1981, Pier Giorgio’s body was found to be undecayed. In 1990, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II aptly nicknamed Pier Giorgio the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes.” This nickname showed how Pier Giorgio lived out Christ’s instructions in the Sermon on the Mount.

The phrase “Verso l’alto” is often associated with Bl. Pier Giorgio. It means “toward the top.” Pier Giorgio wrote this on the back of a photo of his last mountain climb. It is fitting for this holy young man, for he was always trying to ascend closer to God.

Pier Georgio Frassati’s Feast Day: July 4

Why Pray the Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena?

Pier Giorgio Frassati is not yet a saint. As a blessed, he is not an official patron saint. However, he lived recently and died young. Many Catholic young adults seek his intercession for this reason. 

His dedication to the poor also makes him a great candidate for prayers for humility and for the poor. His own illness leads others to pray to him for joy in suffering.

Pier Giorgio was also an avid lover of the outdoors. Pier Giorgio can be a great intercessor for prayers of thanksgiving for creation. Those who enjoy outdoor activities may also feel connected to Pier 

You can pray the Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena for any intention!

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena Prayers

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Jesus, You taught us that loving others was one of the ways that we love You. Thank You for the model of serving others that You gave us in Yourself. Thank You also for Pier Giorgio’s example in serving the poor.

I want the generous heart you had, Pier Giorgio. Your top priority was always for the poor. Even as you were dying your own painful death! Your thoughts were always directed to how you could help more people. You never looked down on them for their poverty, but instead tried to help.

Pier Giorgio, show me how I can help my poor brothers and sisters. Give me a compassionate heart like yours. Help me to not judge their circumstances. Keep my thoughts always fixed on others!

Help me to love others as both you and Christ love them.

Please also pray for my intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorio, pray for me!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 2

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

God, I praise you for the gift of this new generation of young adults. Thank You for their drive to service. Thank You for their passion for causes they believe in. Thank You for their joy. Thank You for their lives!

Thank you also for the life of Bl. Pier Giorgio. What an example you are to all young people, Pier Giorgio! Your devotion was fixed on God from such an early age. You loved God with such a passion. You told everyone about Him! You even received the Eucharist daily.

Please ignite today’s youth with this same fire for God. Show them how to be role models to all they meet. Help them lead the world towards God. Pray also for those who have lived a long life in the Faith, and pray that their faith may constantly be renewed -- that they too, may have a fire for Christ.

Guide me also to be an example of great faith. Inspire me to provide opportunities for others  to ask questions. Help me to help others grow in their faith.

I also give to you all of my own intentions to bring before our Father:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 3

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Lord, I know You see the turmoil this world is in. I know it’s not the first time this world has been caught in sin. I know You can bring us out of this mess too. I believe that You are the Creator!

Pier Giorgio, I admire how you took a stand for what you believed in. You weren’t afraid of offending others with your beliefs. You were courageous and spoke your mind. Even more, you didn’t just talk about the issues. You also put those beliefs into action. You helped the poor. You joined advocacy groups. You effected change.

Can you help me do the same? You example inspires me. This world sometimes feel overwhelming to me. I am fearful of being persecuted for my beliefs. I want to become more active. I want the world to be a better place. I want to use my words and actions to bring others to Christ. 

Through your prayers, I know I can do this.

Would you also consider my intentions in your prayers? Please pray for...

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 4

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of suffering. It seems odd to pray in thanksgiving for suffering. But I know that You can use all things for Your glory. Even suffering well can praise You!

Bl. Pier Giorgio, you knew how to use your suffering to glorify God. You were diagnosed with polio at only 24 years old. Yet, you were more concerned with others’ needs. Your final act was in care for others. You couldn’t die without ensuring your poor would be okay. So many hearts have been  changed by your joyful suffering!

We all suffer in some way. I ask you, Pier Giorgio, to help me to use my own unique sufferings to glorify God. Help me to offer up my discomforts. Help me to always be joyful, even when I am hurting. Help my final moments to be for others, like yours were.

I pray for all those who are ill. Especially watch over those with terminal illness or physical pain. Please give them relief. Inspire them and me to use everything for God’s greater glory.

At this time, I also offer you my personal intentions for your prayers.

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 5

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

God, I entrust to you today all who die and have died young. There are so many tragedies that take young people too soon. I pray that all may come to know you, no matter how long their life is!

Bl. Pier Giorgio, you were able to accomplish so much in such a short life! You may have died at 24, but your life was so full. You impacted so many people. You were beloved by family, friends, and the poor. You made a difference in politics and culture. You joined dozens of organizations. You studied for your degree. You lived life enthusiastically!

Your family must have suffered in watching you die. Yet how proud they must have been when they learned of all the good deeds you’d been working!  

Please pray for those  who have suffered the loss of young people. I also ask that you keep watch over all young people. Keep them safe. More importantly, help them to leave an impact just like you did.

I also bring you my own personal intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 6

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

God, thank You for this beautiful world You created for us!

Pier Giorgio, you appreciated the beauty of creation. Your love of nature prompted your passion for mountain climbing and the outdoors. This points to your sense of adventure. 

I bet you felt close to God at that height. It was in nature that you connected with God. It’s similar to seeing a parent’s likeness in a child. In the same way, creation reflects God Himself. 

God told us to “till and keep” the world. I want to do my part to uphold that command.

Bl. Pier Giorgio, can you help me find God in creation? Spark my heart with joy at seeing God’s beauty in nature. Help me also to take responsibility for this planet’s care. 

Please intercede on the world’s behalf that we are responsible with our resources. Help us to make the Earth a healthy place for all. Guide us in our care of it so we can use it to worship God.

Please also keep in mind my intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 7

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

You were so blessed to have such a devout faith from such a young age, Bl. Pier Giorgio. Not everyone has that same faith. 

There are so many people who have fallen away from the faith. They don’t believe in God. They don’t want to follow His authority. They don’t know the love that He has for them. 

Please watch over them, Pier Giorgio. Inspire their hearts to seek the truth. Offer them opportunities to find God in this world.

Help me also to evangelize like you did. You never stopped talking about God to all of your friends. Help me to be unafraid of being “the religious one.” Encourage me to defend the Faith online and in-person. Guide my actions to speak for me where words cannot.

God, please also guide these people back to your heart. I know how much You love them.

Please also keep in mind my intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

God, thank you for all of the wonderful organizations who are dedicated to preserving the Faith. They do such good work in Your name!

Pier Giorgio, you didn’t hesitate to get involved in Catholic life. You were involved in a number of Catholic organizations. Everything you did revolved around your faith. You were not satisfied to just watch the world’s events. You wanted to be an active participant. You wanted to effect change. You wanted to speak the truth in love. And you found you were able to do that through Catholic organizations.

Please watch over our Catholic organizations today. I know they are under attack for many of their beliefs. Please help their leaders to be strong and Godly. Guide their decisions in union with the Holy Spirit. Pray that they remain faithful to God.

Help me to also have the courage to get involved in the Church. Help me to use my gifts and talents to serve others and God. Help me to be strong and unafraid to join intentional community with other Christians.

Please also bless all of those who desire to join in Catholic groups. Many do not have access to such groups. Others are scared to join for fear of rejection or social anxiety. Give them the courage to be part of the Catholic community! Help it to strengthen their faith and make them feel loved.

Please also keep in mind my intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena - Day 9

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

God, thank You for the inspiration You provided in Pier Giorgio’s life!

You probably didn’t think a note on the back of a photo would have such an impact, Pier Giorgio! But It was “Verso l’alto” that became your motto. You wrote that on the back of a photo of your last mountain climb. It fittingly means “towards the top.”

Your own life displayed this idea, Pier Giorgio. You literally climbed towards the top whenever you went mountain climbing. More importantly, your devotion to God also echoes this verse. You radiated Christ’s perfection in your treatment of the poor. You weren’t satisfied with the way things were. You wanted to make an impact, and you did!

Thank you for this model of Christian life. Please intercede on my behalf. I want to always be looking “towards the top.” I want my thoughts to always be centered on God! Please help me to always remain focused on the most important thing: God.

On this final day, please also pray for my intentions:

(State your intentions here)

Bl. Pier Giorgio, pray for us!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.