History of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati & Our School

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati — Our Inspiration

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) was an Italian layman whose life became a powerful witness of faith in action. Born in Turin, he was a devoted Catholic, passionate student, avid mountaineer, and tireless servant of the poor. Frassati lived his Christian calling not from a distance but right in the heart of everyday life, joining Catholic Action and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to bring relief and joy to those in need. Known for his motto “Verso l’alto” (“To the Heights”) — both literally in the mountains and spiritually toward God — his joyful faith shaped everything he did.

In 1990, Pope St. John Paul II beatified him, calling him “the Man of the Eight Beatitudes” for his Gospel-centered life of love, sacrifice, and compassion.

Canonization — September 7, 2025

The 2025-2026 school year marked an extraordinary moment in the life of our parish and school community as we celebrated the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati as a saint of the Catholic Church. On September 7, 2025, in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV solemnly declared Pier Giorgio Frassati a saint of the Church, together with Blessed Carlo Acutis, in a Mass attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

This historic ceremony not only recognized Frassati’s sanctity officially but also highlighted his enduring relevance for young people, families, and lay Catholics everywhere — a model of holiness rooted in daily prayer, sacrificial charity, and joyful service.

Why This Canonization Matters

The canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati is deeply meaningful for our community and for the wider Church:

A saint for the everyday Christian: Frassati shows that sainthood isn’t only for clergy or mystics — it’s for students, families, workers, and young people living their faith in ordinary moments.
A model for youth and service: His commitment to the poor, his involvement in lay movements like Catholic Action, and his cheerful devotion make him a powerful role model for our children and teens.
A reminder of joy in faith: His life teaches that faith isn’t burdensome — it’s joy lived through sacrifice and love for others.

Our “Year of Pier” Celebrations

We were blessed to celebrate all year long “The Year of Pier” with vibrant events that brought our parish and school families together, united in faith and community:

Annual Fund Run — “Festa Italia”: We honored St. Pier Giorgio with an Italian festival theme, celebrating community, culture, and charity in his spirit.
Friendsgiving with Italian Dinner Theme: Families gathered around tables in fellowship, mirroring Frassati’s deep love for shared meals and joyful hospitality.
Commemorative Ornament: A keepsake ornament was created to mark the canonization year — a reminder of his example hanging on trees and in homes.
Special Masses, Prayer Services, and School Activities: Throughout the year, students learned about Frassati’s life and legacy, connecting his witness to our school values and mission.

These celebrations not only honored a new saint but also helped us live out his legacy — turning faith into action, service, and joy.

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati — Pray for Us!

We continue to keep Saint Pier Giorgio close in prayer, asking for his intercession as we strive “verso l’alto” — to greater love, deeper faith, and joyful service in our families, classrooms, and communities.

Learn more about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassat at www.frassatiusa.org

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Relic of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati at the Shrine of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati in Washington, D.C. - A piece of his shirt.

Frassati Catholic Academy Today

Transfiguration Parish, the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago, was established in 1841—three years before the Archdiocese itself. The first Catholic church in the area was St. John’s Mission, a log cabin church built in 1844 approximately two miles outside of town. The original Transfiguration Church was dedicated on the Feast of the Transfiguration in 1877, with stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the original log cabin church. That historic church still stands today next to the school, and we are committed to pursuing grant funding to once again preserve it as an active worship site.

Educational roots at Transfiguration trace back to St. John’s Mission, with CountyOffice.org listing the founding of Transfiguration School as early as 1839, though the formal establishment of the school dates to 1923. In 1948, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters arrived in Wauconda and began an education ministry, serving the parish school faithfully until their departure in 1979.

At the start of the 2019–2020 school year, a new chapter in Catholic education began when students from St. Mary of the Annunciation (Mundelein), Santa Maria del Popolo (Mundelein), and Transfiguration Parish (Wauconda) united as Frassati Catholic Academy. This merger formed one of the few Archdiocese-managed Catholic schools in Lake County, Illinois, reflecting the vision of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church initiative.

Formerly known as the Catholic Consortium of Lake County, Frassati Catholic Academy now serves PreK–8 students from across the greater Lake County area, including Wauconda, Mundelein, Volo, Round Lake, Island Lake, Barrington, and surrounding communities. Beginning in 2019, all students were consolidated onto one campus located on the grounds of Transfiguration Parish at 316 W. Mill Street in Wauconda.

Today, Frassati Catholic Academy stands as a model for regional Catholic education—rooted in rich history, strengthened by collaboration, and focused on long-term vitality and sustainability.

Inspired by its patron, Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, who urged others to “Reach for the Heights,” the Academy encourages students, families, and educators to live with faith, purpose, service, and a commitment to excellence in all they do.