SASKATOON, Sask. (CCN) — Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ Board of Education has named the new Catholic high school being planned for the Holmwood Development Area of Saskatoon St. Pier Giorgio Frassati High School at the board meeting on March 30, 2026.
Holmwood is the development area east of McOrmond Drive and north of 8th Street. A joint-use facility with both GSCS and Saskatoon Public Schools high schools is being planned for the area.
Born in 1901 in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio was an avid outdoorsman who was an excellent climber and skier. He compared his physical ascent of the Italian Alps to his spiritual assent toward God, and “Verso l’alto” (To the heights), became his enduring motto.
He developed a heart to serve the poor and would use his spending allowance to buy medicine, food and clothing for “the hidden Christ” he encountered when he visited the slums of Turin. He earned a degree in mining engineering because he desired to “serve Christ better among the miners.”
He died from complications of polio at the age of 24. At his funeral, thousands of poor citizens lined the streets to mourn the “Saint of Turin” much to the surprise of his family.
St. Pier Giorgio was canonized a saint on Sept. 7, 2025, by Pope Leo XIV.
More information about St. Pier Giorgio Frassati is on Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ website.
Consultations for the naming of the school included a survey that had 1,200 responses; discussions with students from schools in the area; and committee discussions that included representatives from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, an Elder, trustees, parent council members, principals, vice-principals, teachers, and support workers. The committee was co-chaired by GSCS superintendents Tom Hickey and Ryan Martin.
At the first committee meeting, a shortlist of five names was developed: St. Carlo Acutis, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Our Lady of Hope. (Various names honouring the Blessed Mother under the title “Our Lady” were considered, such as Our Lady of the Prairies, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.)
Following a thoughtful and prayerful discernment process, the committee came to a strong consensus to recommend the name St. Pier Giorgio Frassati High School to the board.
“The process to name our newest high school was rich with thought and prayer, and we trust and honour the voice of the committee and the whole community that participated,” said Diane Boyko, GSCS Board of Education Chair. “I want to thank everyone who submitted a name, discussed options, and listened to the Holy Spirit throughout the process.
“I think St. Pier Giorgio Frassati will be a great patron and example for students, staff and the entire community who will see his name on the school as they drive by on McOrmond Drive.”
Committee members acknowledged that there was an initial enthusiasm for the school to be named after St. Carlo Acutis, who would also be an excellent choice. There was a lot of agreement that St. Carlo may be a better suited name for one of the elementary schools that GSCS will be opening soon, likely even before the high school.
