Dear Friends of Frassati,

What joyous news we have received! This Wednesday morning, Pope Francis announced that Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, 35 years after his beatification, will be canonized during the Jubilee Year of Young People, from July 28 to August 3, 2025. Adding to this momentous announcement, Blessed Carlo Acutis will also be canonized on April 27, 2025.

This is a profound moment for the Church, especially for those of us who have been inspired by the life of Pier Giorgio—a young man who showed us how to live the Beatitudes with joy, courage, and love for the poor. As we prepare for his canonization, allow me to introduce the Frassati Society – Philippines (FSP) and share the mission we carry in his name.

Our journey began in 2021 with a small group of young Catholics praying the Rosary at the grotto of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Manila. We were discerning the role of youth in a world recovering from the pandemic. With the guidance of Msgr. Emmanuel Sunga, then Rector of the Shrine, we engaged in Basic Ecclesial Communities—visiting the sick, teaching catechesis to young people and the elders, and assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion when church access was restricted.

Moved by the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio’s life, we established the Frassati Society – Philippines on July 4, 2021, committed to serving the least in society. We began by partnering with a religious community to assist homeless children, offering food, clothing, and essential care. Since then, our mission has expanded to other communities, always guided by the virtues of Blessed Pier Giorgio.

Our aim is simple but vital: to reengage the youth who feel distanced from the Church and guide them toward an active life in the sacraments, parish ministries, and deeper devotion to Christ and His Blessed Mother. Today, under the spiritual direction of Rev. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona, O.P., our society has grown to 146 promoters nationwide and 15 promoters in our Madrid Chapter, united in proclaiming the joy of the Gospel through the witness of Pier Giorgio’s life.

The timing of Pope Francis’s announcement is especially meaningful for us. On the eve of this news, we received an email from Wanda Gawrońska, Pier Giorgio’s niece, sharing contact details of Frassati devotees in the Philippines. While we await clarification on her intentions, we extend this opportunity to you: join us in forming communio groups in your communities and parishes, and take part in the apostolates of the Frassati Society – Philippines.

As we look forward to the canonization, FSP is planning to organize a delegation to Rome to witness this extraordinary moment in the life of the Church. Additionally, FrassatiUSA, in partnership with 206 Tours, is offering a pilgrimage retracing the footsteps of Pier Giorgio. For those unable to travel, we are excited to host the Frassati Congress in September 2025, which will celebrate his life and legacy here in the Philippines.

We are also happy to share with you that the Tagalog version of Intercessory Prayer to Blessed Pier Giorgio has received an ecclesiastical approval from the Archdiocese of Manila. You may access them here or save the publications below.

To stay updated on these events and on any clarificatory details from Wanda’s email, we invite you to fill out this form: https://forms.gle/yTczAqwSL2VAVe7G8

As we await the day when Blessed Pier Giorgio will be officially raised to the altar of saints, let us renew our commitment to live by his example. Let us love Christ in the Eucharist, serve the poor with open hearts, and strive always to go Verso l’alto!— toward the heights of holiness.

In Christ,

Br. Karlo Cruz Garcia
Moderator, Frassati Society – Philippines