Pier Giorgio lives deeply the sense of community as a young man and as a Christian, who feels the catholicity of the Church on the path towards unity "so that the world may believe" (Jn 17,21:XNUMX).
Pier Giorgio loves the community that is his family, the community that is his friends, the community that is the associations he is part of, the community that everyone is called to be part of, putting the poor first.
In this sense it is particularly significant that his figure has influenced and still influences so vividly the Christian community. In the thirties and forties many young people are inspired by his example. Many parents give his name to their children, placing them under his protection and wishing them to resemble him.
The first instrument of knowledge is the biography signed by Don Antonio Cojazzi, Salesian, the ancient Latin tutor. Starting from the 1950s, his sister Luciana produced writings denser with memories, starting with the publication of Pier Giorgio's correspondence, collecting hundreds of testimonies.
His beatification in 1990 gave new impetus to his figure. Young people, especially, find in Pier Giorgio living proof that it is possible today to be young Christians, enjoying their existence to the full and making it a gift for others.
Among the many who have taken Pier Giorgio as a reference for their lives, several are recognized by the Church on the path to sainthood. Let's give some examples:
Dino Zambra (1922-1944, diocese of Chieti). He was inspired by Pier Giorgio both spiritually and socially; he wrote in his diary: «Pier Giorgio is beside me, a model, a guide».
James Maffei (1914-1935, diocese of Bologna). He knows Pier Giorgio from the words of Don Cojazzi and decides to take him as a model of life. He says to the young people: «It would be enough to mention a young man from Turin whose name has now traveled throughout Italy and Europe to demonstrate what a young man can do alone among his companions».
Eugenio Biamonti (1913-1936, diocese of Ventimiglia). A colleague of his said of him: «His life was a similar copy of that of Pier Giorgio Frassati».
Alberto Marvelli (1918-1946, diocese of Rimini, beatified on September 5, 2004). In March 1936 he wrote in his diary: «Tomorrow I will be 18 years old and I intend to be better in everything. I will try to imitate Pier Giorgio Frassati».
Joseph Lazzati (1909-1986, diocese of Milan). A leading figure in the Catholic laity, at 19 he read the life of Pier Giorgio during spiritual exercises and drew inspiration from it for his own journey of faith.
Zaccaria Negroni (1899-1980, diocese of Albano). He had been a fellow student of Pier Giorgio at the Polytechnic of Turin and belonged to the same Catholic youth circles.
The same was true for Paolo Roasenda, the famous friar Mariano from Turin on TV (19061972-XNUMX, diocese of Rome).
Il Blessed Pere Tarrés i Claret (1905-1950). He had translated Pier Giorgio's life into Catalan so that it could be an example for the young people of the Catholic Action of Barcelona, of which he was president and then assistant.
The Puerto Rican blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez (1918-1963). He had come to know the figure of Pier Giorgio by reading a book by Monsignor Civardi, and he was fascinated by him: «I have read and reread his life and for me he is an example».
Thus even today the number of people who are inspired by Pier Giorgio is increasing throughout the world, and new social initiatives, youth centers, oratories, associations, cultural centers, cooperatives, sports associations, musical bands, concert halls, theaters, trails, groups dedicated to him are always being born. From Patagonia (Argentina) where there is Cerro Pier Giorgio, a difficult peak to climb, to the USA where there are a myriad of Frassatian realities, to the Philippines, and then Poland, France, Peru, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, Australia... Many come to Turin from far away, even from overseas, to see the places where he lived, and to pray before his tomb. Throughout the world, truly, there are those who love Pier Giorgio, are inspired by him, and have him as a friend on the path of faith. A living sign of how his trust in the words of Saint Paul was well placed: "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13,8:XNUMX).
There is no doubt that this young man of twenty-four, by dying, shook all of Catholic Italy. Anyone who lived through those years, and was able to follow the events with a careful eye, can bear witness to this. The enthusiasm that Pier Giorgio aroused everywhere had impressive manifestations. Youth circles took his name, which was equivalent to a program. In every Catholic Association headquarters his portrait was placed. If a child was born into a family, at baptism he was called Pier Giorgio. The writings about his life [...] were sold like hot cakes. Pier Giorgio, in short, was the "leaven", to use an evangelical expression, that fermented the mass gathered and organized by Catholic Action. The flames of a true religiosity multiplied in the world of our laity. And, as we will immediately add, in the interior, serene and splendid revolution that spirituality accomplished in those years, he became a banner.
Monsignor Luigi Olgiati from L. Frassati, My Brother Pier Giorgio. Life and Pictures
It seems that verse 32 of Psalm 118 can be applied to Pier Giorgio, which says: "I have run the way of your precepts when you enlarged my heart."
And if he had faced earthly life, and had felt its joys and sorrows, small bitternesses and disappointments, and annoyances and resentments, he had composed all this small tumult in the yearning for good, in the apostolate of Catholic and social action, in charity towards the poor, his last impulse and the occasion for the sacrifice of his life.
Don Luigi Sturzo from the Preface to Pier Giorgio Frassati, Slightly
In my internal struggles I have often asked myself why I should be sad? Should I suffer, bear this sacrifice reluctantly? Have I perhaps lost my Faith? No, thank God, my Faith is still strong enough and so let us strengthen, let us consolidate this which is the only Joy, with which one can be satisfied in this world. Every sacrifice is worth only for it; then, as Catholics, we have a Love that surpasses every other and that after that due to God is immensely beautiful, as beautiful is our religion.
Love that had as its advocate that Apostle, who preached it daily in all his letters to the various Faithful. Charity, without which, says St. Paul, every other virtue is worthless. It can be a guide and direction for all of life, for an entire program. It, with the Grace of God, can be the goal to which my soul can await. And then at first we are dismayed, because it is a beautiful program, but hard, full of thorns and few roses, but we trust in Divine Providence and in His Mercy.
Letter to Isidoro Bonini – Turin, 6 March 1925
Dearest, may peace be in your soul, this is the wish that Robespierre offers to Perault for the Holy Year; every other gift that one possesses in this life is vanity as vain are all the things of the world. It is beautiful to live because beyond there is our true life otherwise who could bear the weight of this life if there were not a reward for suffering, an eternal joy, how could one explain the admirable resignation of so many poor creatures who struggle with life and often die on the breach if it were not for the certainty of God's Justice.
In the world that has distanced itself from God, Peace is missing, but Charity is also missing, that is, true and perfect Love. Perhaps if St. Paul were listened to more by all of us, human miseries would perhaps be diminished a little.
Letter to Marco Beltramo – Turin, 15 January 1925