Blessed Pier Giorgio

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati reminds me a lot of Bl. John Paul II.  You know those pictures of John Paul II (then Fr. Wojtyla ) hiking and canoeing?  Pier Giorgio also enjoyed the outdoors and athletics, going on long hikes and mountain climbing expeditions and competing in skiing races.  He was equally enthusiastic about his faith, praying the rosary while hiking and attending daily Mass.  He had a particular devotion to the poor.  Although from a wealthy family, his father only gave him a small allowance so that he would not be spoiled by money.  Even so, Pier Giorgio gave much of his money away and literally gave away the clothes off his back.  When he died of poliomyelitis at the age of 24, his family was surprised to find the streets of the city lined with thousands of mourners - many of them the poor and needy who had been helped by the young man.  His feast day is July 4 (so you probably won't find many in the U.S. observing it).