Saints of Our Time · Week 4 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
A boy who loved the heights
Pier Giorgio was born on April 6, blank 1, in Turin, Italy. His father owned a big newspaper called La Stampa, and his mother was a painter. His parents were not very religious, but Pier Giorgio was. He was not a top student, but he was strong, cheerful and kind.
He loved to climb blank 2 with his friends. They prayed, sang and laughed on the way up. On a photo from one of his last climbs he wrote “Verso l’alto,” which means “To the heights.”
A secret and a surprise
Pier Giorgio had a secret. At blank 3 he joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, a group that helps the poor. He brought food, medicine and money to sick and poor people. He even gave away his bus fare and ran home.
In 1925 he became sick with blank 4, and he died on July 4 at age 24. At his funeral, thousands of poor people filled the streets to say goodbye. His family was shocked. They had no idea how many people he had helped.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Beatitudes | Write your answer |
| Motto | Write your answer |
| Polio | Write your answer |
| Beatified | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
Quick check
What does Pier Giorgio’s motto “Verso l’alto” mean? Circle one.
- A To the heights
- B Friends forever
- C Never give up
- D Peace to all
Sort it out
Pier Giorgio shared his time and his things with others. Which choices share like he did, and which keep it all for me? Check one box for each.
| Item | Shares like Pier Giorgio | Keeps it all for me |
|---|---|---|
| Inviting a lonely classmate into your online game | ||
| Ignoring a friend at lunch to stay on a screen | ||
| Giving a coat you outgrew to someone who needs it | ||
| Helping someone only when people are watching | ||
| Sending a kind message to a sick friend | ||
| Leaving a new player out of the group chat |
Quick check
Why was Pier Giorgio’s family shocked at his funeral? Circle one.
- A The Pope came to pray with them
- B His friends climbed a mountain
- C Thousands of poor people came
- D His newspaper printed a story
Think, pair, share
Pier Giorgio kept his charity work a secret. Why do you think he did that? Today people often post the good things they do online. What is one kind thing you could do this week without telling anyone?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “I think he kept it secret because ...”“One quiet kind thing I could do is ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
Jesus, lift our hearts to the heights.
Help us to notice people in need and to help them quietly.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Verso l’alto!
You met a saint who was joyful, loved his friends and helped the poor in secret. He was canonized on September 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: Do one secret act of kindness this week, in person or online, and tell no one but God.