Blessed Timothy Giaccardo First Priest of the Society of St. Paul
Blessed Timothy Giaccardo was born in Narzole (Piedmont), Italy, on June 13,1896. As a boy, he met Fr. James Alberione and entered the seminary of Alba. Sensitive to the needs of the times and open to the new instruments of evangelization, in 1917 he transferred, with the consent of his bishop, from the seminary of Alba to the newly-born Society of St. Paul. Fr. Giaccardo was the first Pauline priest. In January 1926, he was sent to Rome to initiate the Congregation's first branch house. In 1936, he returned to Alba to fill the position of superior of the Motherhouse. Vicar General of the Society of St. Paul, faithful collaborator of the Founder, Fr. Giaccardo tirelessly worked on behalf of the Pauline congregations, assisting in their birth and spiritual/apostolic development. Offering his life in order that the Congregation of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master might receive official recognition by the Church, he died in Rome on January 24, 1948. He was proclaimed "Blessed" on October 22,1989.
Prayer for the Canonization of blessed Timothy Giaccardo Most Holy Trinity, you have given Blessed Timothy Giaccardo the gift of living the heroic path of following Christ in the spirit of St. Paul the Apostle and under the gaze of Mary, Queen of Apostles. You willed to unite him with the charism of Blessed James Alberione as his first priest and most faithful disciple. I beg you to glorify him on earth by granting me the grace I now ask... And you, Blessed Timothy, unite with my prayer your powerful intercession so that the instruments of social communication may always promote what is good and help in making Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life known, loved and followed by all. Amen. Glory to the Father...
To be saints is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone.
