Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, to an agnostic family and found himself from an early age drawn to the faith and to serving the poor. He was known for giving his own possessions away, even as a young boy. He joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society at age 17.

The young Frassati also had a great love for art, music, literature, and theater — only surpassed by his passion for the outdoors and athletics, especially mountain climbing, rowing, and cycling. He also loved swimming and horseback riding.