Sydney, Australia, Mar 12, 2008 / 14:15 pm
Young people who will be in Sydney for World Youth Day 2008 will be able to venerate the relics of Pier Giorgio Frassati, one of the ten patron saints of the event, at the city’s Cathedral, according to a report by SIR news agency.
The relics are being brought to Australia at the request of Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney. “The idea therefore came from the organizational committee of WYD and therefore we are very happy,” sources told SIR.
The coffin containing his remains will be exposed in the Cathedral in a special area surrounded by the four flowery panels painted by the Bl. Pier Giorgio’s mother and that are normally present at his tomb at the Cathedral of Turin.
“The request to have the mortal remains of Pier Giorgio Frassati was not only for WYD but also so that beginning June 15 young people in Australia could learn about and venerate the Italian blessed,” SIR explained.
His Life
Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin, Italy, on April 6, 1901. He was raised in a very rich Catholic family. His father was the founder and director of the newspaper La Stampa, which often promoted ideas contrary to the Catholic Church, and his mother was a devout painter.