The Pearl of a Bishop

A Father of the Poor The Apostle to the Youth

ST. JOSEPH MARELLO

The

Seed
of

Sanctity

1844 DECEMBER 26 Born in Turin, Italy and baptized on the same day in the Church of Corpus Christi

1848 His mother Anna Maria Viale dies.

1852 His father Vincenzo takes him to San Martino Alfieri, his native town near Asti.

An exemplar child, Joseph has great love to Mary and the Eucharist.

Joseph finds time to teach his fellow children about God and helps those in need

1856 His father takes joseph on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Savona,

where he decides to become a priest.

1862 Leaves the Seminary at the request of his father who wants him to pursue a businessmans career.

1863 December. Falls seriously ill of typhoid fever, sees visions of a cassock before him and tells his father that the Blessed Mother wants him to be a priest.

1864 January 9.

Returns to the seminary and receives the clerical habit for the second time.

1869 September 19. Ordained to the Holy priesthood in the Cathedral of Asti. 1869 September 20. First Mass in the Parish of San Martino Alfieri.

Dreams to become a monk, but the bishop disapproves.

1869 December 8. As secretary to Bishop Carlo Savio of Asti.

Seeing the pitiful plight of the youth because of the low moral standards, he made a crucial decision. . .

1878 March 14. He founded the Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ) with four members in a large rented room in the Michelerio Institute in Asti.

1883 Purchases the former monastery of Santa Chiara where he gathered and taught the lost youth about Christ

1888 November 23. Named Bishop of Acqui by Pope Leo XIII who will call him later a gem among bishops.

1889 February 17. Consecrated Bishop by Rafaelle Cardinal Monaco La Valleta in the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome.

He visited almost all the parishes in his diocese. His flock looks upon him as a holy shepherd.

1895 May 25. Though in poor health, he traveled to Savona to preside at rd 3 Centennial of the death of St. Philip Neri. He fainted during the Mass.

1895 May 30. Dies of cerebral hemorrhage in the episcopal residence of the Bishop of Savona at 6:30PM.

Miracles obtained through the intercession of St. Joseph Marello leading to his beatification and canonization.

MIRACLE FOR BEATIFICATION

Aldo Falconeti of Italy was healed of Meningitis
Joseph was beatified on September 26, 1993.

MIRACLE FOR CANONIZATION

Alfredo & Isila Chavez de Leon of Peru were cured of bronchoJoseph was canonized pulmonitis on November 25, 2001.

THE PRESENCE OF OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH IN THE WORLD

BRAZIL 1919
ROMANIA 1998

CHILE 1997

PHILIPPINES 1915

SLOVACHIA 1996 NIGERIA 1990 INDIA 1981

USA 1929 PERU BOLIVIA 1948

POLAND 1981

MEXICO 1951

Mission Apostolate Youth Apostolate Parish Assistance Social Apostolate Apostolate of Devotion to St. Joseph