By Alessandro Greco - For many years, Turin has been a destination for pilgrims following in the footsteps of Pier Giorgio Frassati. News of Turin volunteers willing to accompany them dates back to the early 2000s, and perhaps even earlier. The Pier Giorgio Frassati Association immediately promoted a structured program of itineraries to discover the places frequented by Pier Giorgio. This initiative was immediately embraced by the diocesan Catholic Action and by the many young people and adults who, over time, have dedicated and continue to dedicate mornings, afternoons, or entire days to those who come to learn more about the young Frassati.
The 2015 exhibition of the Shroud saw a veritable boom in requests, leading to the more precise and structured definition of Frassatours (or "Frassatitours"). These were, and still are, artisanal guided tours, made possible thanks to the mobilization of volunteer tutors dedicated to welcoming the many groups who, already in Turin for the Shroud, wanted to take the opportunity to meet Pier Giorgio in his hometown. In the two-year period 2024-25, requests will peak again on the occasion of the Frassatian Year and the upcoming canonization: in one year, we have counted more than 150 guided tours (about one in ten from Turin-based organizations) and more than 5.000 people met and accompanied around Turin.
Lots of young people from all over the world
Most are groups of young people and very young people, but many also include children and adults, often accompanied by their assistants. There are also many groups of families, priests, seminarians, and consecrated men and women. Most come from parishes scattered throughout Italy, from Catholic Action in other dioceses, or other associations. From abroad, pilgrims arrive primarily from France, the United States, South America, and Spain, benefiting from the volunteers' language skills. Many combine their visit to the city with a trip to Pollone (in the province of Biella), perhaps with a stop at the sanctuary of Oropa.
The tour program has evolved over the years, thanks to a progressive exploration of sources and reflections on the experience's meaning and educational objectives. Year after year, new stops, thematic focuses, and details have been added, allowing the experience to become as organic and tailored as possible to the audience. Each place significant to Pier Giorgio's life has been associated with a different theme, among the many that characterized his short but intense life, such as the poor, his political commitment, the Eucharist, the mountains, his devotion to Mary, and his relationship with his family. ( The book "Frassatitour" published by AVE a few months ago, which outlines the structure of the various tour contents, was published.)
Accompanied by questions for reflection and moments of sharing
In addition to moments of explanation and storytelling, the Frassatour experience today is characterized by the journeys between one stage and the next, accompanied by questions for reflection and moments of sharing with fellow travelers. The intent is precisely to make the journey toward meeting Pier Giorgio a significant figure in each person's life and in the challenges that inhabit the hearts of participants.
For me, being one of the two youth leaders of the diocesan Catholic Action also means carrying on this legacy, with the responsibility and grace that entails. Often, time is short to accomplish everything we have in our hearts, but it's easy to recognize the kindness of welcoming groups and encouraging volunteers to accompany pilgrims: everyone has the right to experience Pier Giorgio, who still has so much to say to our lives and our questions.
To live and not just get by, to entrust one's life to the Lord, embracing His transfiguration, to give oneself completely to those around us, are still today's burning challenges in the hearts of children, young people, and adults. Far from mythologizing or creating uncomfortable altars, the Frassatour is an experience of curiosity, discovery, and reflection, whose effectiveness is measured not by the reception of sterile didactic content but by the personal and mysterious impact that the encounter with Pier Giorgio (the mediator of the encounter with Jesus) will have on each person's life.
Article published by Agensir on September 7, 2025