SAINTS WHO KNEW EACH OTHER

In the last Blog we mentioned the spiritual director of Bl. Luigina Sinapi. This leads us to two more blesseds, not known in this county, but who have an on-going effect on our present Church.

BL.  JOSEPH TIMOTHY GIACCARDO was the first priest of the Society of St. Paul. He was born on June 13, 1896 , at Narzole d’Alba in Italy, and at a young age, 12 years old he had his first encounter with Father Alberione. Assisting the pastor of Giaccardo’s parish, Father Alberione heard the young boy’s first confession and was impressed by his docility, devotion to the sacraments and spirit of prayer.

Aware of his desire to become a priest, in October of 1908 Father Alberione invited Joseph to accompany him to the seminary. On September 4, 1917 while still a seminarian, Joseph Timothy joined the Society of St. Paul and two years later was ordained a priest. Soon after, he was named as the vice-superior and treasurer of the Pious Society of St. Paul.

On January 6, 1926, Father Alberione entrusted Father Giaccardo with the task of establishing the first house of his Institute in Rome. While in Rome, Father Giaccardo mediated matter between Father Alberione and the Holy Father in the approval of his Congregation.

In 1936, Father Giaccardo relocated to Alba, Italy as the Motherhouse director. Furthermore, he also dedicated himself to the spiritual, moral and cultural formation of the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master.

Father Giaccardo celebrated his last Mass on the morning of January 12, 1948. During that same morning, Pius XII approved the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, a Congregation so dear to Father Giaccardo. He had offered his life for the approval of this Congregation.

Bl  Jospeh Timothy passed away on January 24, 1948. John Paul II beatified him on October 22, 1989.