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Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Hero for Our Times
In this definitive biography, Cristina Siccardi situates the appealing figure of young Pier Giorgio Frassati in early 20th century Turin, Italy. In the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Italy where the memory of Savoy is still alive there are two contrasting forms of enterprise: one of older stamp, attentive to the values of patriotism and integrity; the other tending toward ever more acquisitive forms of capitalism.
In this environment Pier Giorgio, the young heir of Senator Alfredo Frassati, founder of the newspaper La Stampa, makes his own choice for the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, seeking not so much to solve general problems but to make Christ and the Church more present to those in need. That was the motivation for his assisting in many charitable works of the St. Vincent Society, his support for the Popular Party, and his development of a spirituality of engaged and diligent action. His devotion to friendship and to sports was extraordinary, with a special love for mountain hiking, which was for him both enjoyable exercise and the contemplation of creation, as well as a symbol of his striving for perfection in virtue.
Other important aspects that will passionately engage readers of this book include the story of the famous Frassati family, and the marked contrasts among its members--especially the bond of division/union between father and son. Alfredo Frassati, a man of notable accomplishments, will discover, when his widely beloved son dies, a completely new dimension of the world. There follows a spiritual deepening, year after year, which leaves its traces in several letters to Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Pope Paul VI. This book describes an extraordinary itinerary of holiness, but also a key to understanding the history of Italy in the 20th century.
Pope John Paul II said about Pier Giorgio on the day of his Beatification (20 May, 1990):
-Faith and charity, the true driving forces of his existence, made him active and diligent in the milieu in which he lived, in his family, in the university and society; they transformed him into a joyful apostle of Christ, a passionate follower of his message and charity. The secret of his apostolic zeal and holiness is found in the ascetical and spiritual journey which he traveled; in prayer, in persevering adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in his thirst for the Word of God; in the peaceful acceptance of life's difficulties; in chastity lived as a cheerful, uncompromising discipline.-
In this environment Pier Giorgio, the young heir of Senator Alfredo Frassati, founder of the newspaper La Stampa, makes his own choice for the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, seeking not so much to solve general problems but to make Christ and the Church more present to those in need. That was the motivation for his assisting in many charitable works of the St. Vincent Society, his support for the Popular Party, and his development of a spirituality of engaged and diligent action. His devotion to friendship and to sports was extraordinary, with a special love for mountain hiking, which was for him both enjoyable exercise and the contemplation of creation, as well as a symbol of his striving for perfection in virtue.
Other important aspects that will passionately engage readers of this book include the story of the famous Frassati family, and the marked contrasts among its members--especially the bond of division/union between father and son. Alfredo Frassati, a man of notable accomplishments, will discover, when his widely beloved son dies, a completely new dimension of the world. There follows a spiritual deepening, year after year, which leaves its traces in several letters to Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Pope Paul VI. This book describes an extraordinary itinerary of holiness, but also a key to understanding the history of Italy in the 20th century.
Pope John Paul II said about Pier Giorgio on the day of his Beatification (20 May, 1990):
-Faith and charity, the true driving forces of his existence, made him active and diligent in the milieu in which he lived, in his family, in the university and society; they transformed him into a joyful apostle of Christ, a passionate follower of his message and charity. The secret of his apostolic zeal and holiness is found in the ascetical and spiritual journey which he traveled; in prayer, in persevering adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in his thirst for the Word of God; in the peaceful acceptance of life's difficulties; in chastity lived as a cheerful, uncompromising discipline.-
360 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 25, 2019
Touching story of a Blessed who lived a very simple life despite the high social class he was born in. I also learned a bit about the history of Italy in that time period.
October 7, 2016
Pier Giorgio Frassati is only considered Blessed in the eyes of the Church, but he is one of the modern days saints whose appeal, particularly young men, nearly 100 years after his death. Today, I would like to share with you one of the many biographies written about him. This one is entitled Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Hero for our Times, and it is published by Ignatius Press.
The book begins where most stories do, with Pier Giorgio's birth. He was born in Turin to prominent parents - Alfredo and Adelaide Frassati. Their first child was a little girl, who had died two years prior to his birth at the age of eight months. His father was agnostic, and his mother was Catholic. Due to this unequally yoked marriage, his mother was nervous about having a boy and wanted another girl. This was because she felt she would have a better chance of keeping a daughter Catholic than a son (with an agnostic father).
The second chapter tells us more of his sister, who it is said did not really understand and appreciate him until after his death. It also tells us of their childhood, which was described by his sister as without flowers and without fire. That means there was no life, and there was no warmth. The rest of the book tells us further of his life, his family struggles, the difficulties he had with school. We also get to see his heavy involvement various Catholic movements and associations. This level of involvement was not mere zeal that quickly faded, but it showed a great and enduring love for Christ and also laid the groundwork for his future involvement in various social action. Most importantly in this book, we can see the impact he had on everyone he encountered, particularly the poor and overlooked.
I have read one other biography on Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, so I was familiar with his story. What made this book stand out from the one I read was the heavy use of primary sources that Cristina Siccardi relied on and quoted in the book. This not only gives the book more credibility, but demonstrates it to be a more scholarly biography. The author also mixes in Italian history (focusing on Turin) which helps provide the backdrop for the world which Frassati grew up in. This may seem like an obvious thing to include in a biography, but it is often overlooked. After reading through this book, I would argue that Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Hero for our Times is the definitive biography for this Blessed man. Continue to seek his intercession, and this saintly man will be canonized.
The book begins where most stories do, with Pier Giorgio's birth. He was born in Turin to prominent parents - Alfredo and Adelaide Frassati. Their first child was a little girl, who had died two years prior to his birth at the age of eight months. His father was agnostic, and his mother was Catholic. Due to this unequally yoked marriage, his mother was nervous about having a boy and wanted another girl. This was because she felt she would have a better chance of keeping a daughter Catholic than a son (with an agnostic father).
The second chapter tells us more of his sister, who it is said did not really understand and appreciate him until after his death. It also tells us of their childhood, which was described by his sister as without flowers and without fire. That means there was no life, and there was no warmth. The rest of the book tells us further of his life, his family struggles, the difficulties he had with school. We also get to see his heavy involvement various Catholic movements and associations. This level of involvement was not mere zeal that quickly faded, but it showed a great and enduring love for Christ and also laid the groundwork for his future involvement in various social action. Most importantly in this book, we can see the impact he had on everyone he encountered, particularly the poor and overlooked.
I have read one other biography on Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, so I was familiar with his story. What made this book stand out from the one I read was the heavy use of primary sources that Cristina Siccardi relied on and quoted in the book. This not only gives the book more credibility, but demonstrates it to be a more scholarly biography. The author also mixes in Italian history (focusing on Turin) which helps provide the backdrop for the world which Frassati grew up in. This may seem like an obvious thing to include in a biography, but it is often overlooked. After reading through this book, I would argue that Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Hero for our Times is the definitive biography for this Blessed man. Continue to seek his intercession, and this saintly man will be canonized.
January 4, 2021
A good introduction to Bl. Pier Giorgio.
September 30, 2021
Slow at first on political context but the ending surrounding his death was really powerful.
Blessed Pier Giorgio, pray for us!
Blessed Pier Giorgio, pray for us!
June 11, 2022
This is both a history of Italy, and a biography of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I have to be honest, that after a while I was skimming through the political and social history of Italy from the 1900's-1925. I love history, but this was like reading a textbook. When the author wrote about blessed Pier Giorgio, I was touched and marveled at how this holy and devout young man could have turned out as he did. His parents were agnostics, and recoiled at the deeply religious boy that was their son. Pier Giorgio loved sports and mountain climbing, and he loved and served the poor in his native Turin. He died at the young age of 25, but he touched thousands of lives. Pray for us, Blessed Pier Giorgio.
June 25, 2025
I knew very little about Bl PGF; now I know much more.
Studied with a men's group ahead of his upcoming canonization. Fascinating life to discover more about, especially his achieving great virtue/holiness despite his parents (compared to someone like St Therese of Lisieux who achieved greatness because of/supported by her parents).
Verso l'alto!
Studied with a men's group ahead of his upcoming canonization. Fascinating life to discover more about, especially his achieving great virtue/holiness despite his parents (compared to someone like St Therese of Lisieux who achieved greatness because of/supported by her parents).
Verso l'alto!
December 24, 2024
Boring!! We know more about his dad than Pier Giorgio himself.
April 21, 2020
I was disappointed in this book. I was expecting a short biography of Bl. Pier Gorgio Frassati, filled with interesting stories about his life and his works. Unfortunately, this book is written like a history textbook, but with several flaws. It references obscure dates and times with no relation to the storyline, which confuses the reader instead of making things more clear. It also spends literally half of every page referencing letters from the Blessed and various other biographies of him. This turns the book from a biography into a compilation of letters, with miniscule blips of information vainly trying to connect them into a plot. I don't know why a biographer would reference other biographers of the same person, but the author did. Finally, it often goes on long tangents about other people who met the Blessed once or who lived similar lifestyles as him, but who actually have no point in the story. In short, I don't know how it is possible to take such a vibrant Catholic personality and create such a dry, tasteless book, but unfortunately the author managed to. The man himself is amazing, but this book fails to portray that. I had high hopes for this book, but they were sadly disappointed. Do yourself a favor and read one of the other biographies that it references instead of this one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews