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Priest
π Born: 14 June 1882, Pellestrina, Venice, Kingdom of Italy
✝️ Died: 6 September 1969 (aged 87), San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna, Italy
π Venerated in: Roman Catholic Church
π Beatified: 4 October 2020, Bologna, Italy by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi
π️ Feast: 6 September
Attributes: Priest's cassock
“A humble priest of charity, serving the poor and forgotten.”
Blessed Olinto Marella, born Giuseppe Olinto Marella, entered the world on June 14, 1882, on the island of Pellestrina, a fishing village in the Venetian Lagoon, within the province of Venice and the diocese of Chioggia, Italy. He was the second of four children born to Luigi Marella (1851–1903), a respected physician and pioneer of heliotherapy, and Carolina de’ Bei (1852–1940), a teacher from a Triestine family. Olinto’s early years were marked by a comfortable upbringing due to his family’s relative wealth, but tragedy struck when his father died in 1892, leaving Olinto, at age 10, under the care of his mother and his uncle, Archbishop Giuseppe Marella, the archpriest of Ognissanti parish in Pellestrina. His brother Ugo died in 1902, and his other brother, Tullio, also faced early loss, leaving Olinto and his sister as the surviving siblings.
Olinto’s uncle played a pivotal role in his education, ensuring he received a solid foundation despite the family’s losses. Sent to study at the Apollinare Seminary in Rome, Olinto found himself in the company of an exceptional classmate, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII. This friendship, forged in their formative years, would prove significant, as Roncalli later supported Olinto’s pastoral work with deep admiration, calling him a “dear friend.” Olinto excelled in his studies, developing a passion for history, philosophy, and theology, which would later define his teaching and ministry.
On December 17, 1904, Olinto was ordained a priest by Cardinal Aristide Cavallari in the diocese of Chioggia. At age 22, he was assigned to teach in the Chioggia seminary, where he instructed seminarians in humanities, philosophy, and theology. His intellectual rigor and pastoral zeal were evident early on, as he also took on the education of young children in his parish. Driven by a desire to combat illiteracy on his native Pellestrina, Olinto founded the Ricreatorio Popolare, a community recreation center, and the Vittorino da Feltre kindergarten, both innovative initiatives for their time. These projects aimed to provide education and spiritual guidance to the island’s poorest children, reflecting Olinto’s commitment to social upliftment through faith.
However, his progressive methods and associations would soon lead to a significant trial. In 1909, Olinto’s friendship with Romolo Murri, a modernist theologian who had been excommunicated for his controversial views, brought him under scrutiny. By allowing Murri into his home, Olinto was accused of sympathizing with modernist ideas, which the Church at the time viewed as heretical. As a result, he was suspended a divinis—prohibited from exercising his priestly functions, including celebrating the Eucharist. This punishment, which lasted 16 years, was a profound test of his faith. Rather than protest, Olinto accepted the decision with humility, trusting in God’s plan.
During his suspension from 1909 to 1925, Olinto supported himself by teaching in state schools across various Italian cities. He held positions at the Galvani and Minghetti high schools in Bologna, where he taught history and philosophy. Despite being barred from priestly duties, his faith remained steadfast, and he continued to live with absolute fidelity to the Church. His charitable spirit shone through as he engaged with students and colleagues, earning respect for his integrity and intellectual depth.
In Bologna, Olinto’s presence began to transform the city’s perception of him. His humility in accepting the Church’s discipline, combined with his dedication to education, drew admiration from both secular and religious communities. This period of exile from active ministry allowed him to deepen his commitment to the poor, laying the groundwork for his later charitable works.
In 1925, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano, the Archbishop of Bologna, lifted Olinto’s suspension, reinstating him as a priest in the Archdiocese of Bologna. This rehabilitation marked a turning point, allowing Olinto to resume his pastoral duties with renewed vigor. He quickly became a beloved figure in Bologna, known for his unconventional yet profoundly effective ministry.
Olinto’s approach was deeply evangelical. He often sat on a stool along Via Drapperie in Bologna’s city center, preaching to passersby and urging them to reject indifference toward the suffering. This streetcorner ministry, while criticized by some priests as overly evangelical, resonated with the poor and homeless, who found in him a compassionate advocate. His long beard, worn cassock, and smiling eyes became a familiar sight, earning him the nickname “Father of the Poor.”
Olinto’s work focused on the marginalized—orphans, the homeless, and those devastated by the aftermath of World War I. He collaborated with the Opera Baraccati, an initiative to rehabilitate slum areas, and founded the Pio Gruppo di Assistenza Religiosa negli Agglomerati di Poveri in 1934, a group dedicated to providing religious and material support to the poor. He established Case Rifugio (shelter homes) for abandoned children and orphans, ensuring they had a safe place to grow and learn. His efforts were supported by Pope John XXIII, who admired Olinto’s dedication and provided encouragement for his initiatives.
After World War II, Olinto’s vision culminated in his most significant work: the establishment of the CittΓ dei Ragazzi (City of Boys). The first was founded in 1948 in Bologna, followed by a second in 1954 in San Lazzaro di Savena, near Bologna. These communities provided shelter, education, and vocational training for boys orphaned or displaced by the war. The San Lazzaro site included a Villaggio Artigiano with 24 homes, a Casa della CaritΓ (House of Charity), and the Chiesa della Sacra Famiglia (Church of the Holy Family), which Olinto built to serve as a spiritual center.
To fund these projects, Olinto became a mendicant, begging on the streets of Bologna with humility and determination. His efforts moved both ordinary citizens and influential figures to contribute, allowing him to create a network of support that included training labs and social projects. The Opera di Padre Marella, as his charitable works became known, grew into a robust organization, providing 260,000 meals annually, 200 beds, 11 communities, 16 social projects, and employing 90 staff with over 200 volunteers by the time of his beatification.
During World War II, Olinto’s courage was evident as he welcomed soldiers and fugitives, risking his life to provide shelter and aid. His actions reportedly put him at risk of facing a firing squad, yet he persisted, driven by his commitment to charity.
Olinto’s ministry was enriched by his connections with other holy figures. He knew Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, a future saint, and Blessed Maria Bolognesi, reflecting his place within a network of devout Catholics in Italy. He also drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum, which emphasized social justice and the dignity of the poor, principles that guided his work.
His friendship with Pope John XXIII remained a cornerstone of his life. The pope’s support validated Olinto’s unconventional methods, and their shared history from seminary days fostered a deep mutual respect. Olinto’s ability to connect with both the powerful and the powerless made him a unique figure in the Church.
On September 6, 1969, at age 87, Olinto Marella died of natural causes at the CittΓ dei Ragazzi in San Lazzaro di Savena, surrounded by the boys he had dedicated his life to serving. His funeral was attended by hundreds, a testament to his impact on Bologna. In 1980, his remains were reinterred in the Holy Family Church in San Lazzaro di Savena, where they remain a site of devotion.
The cause for Olinto’s beatification began on October 20, 1995, with the declaration of nihil obstat (no objection) from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The diocesan process in Bologna, spanning from September 8, 1996, to December 17, 2005, compiled extensive documentation on his life and virtues. In 2008, a two-volume Positio was submitted, and on March 27, 2013, Pope Francis declared him Venerable, recognizing his heroic virtues. A miracle attributed to his intercession—a healing in 1985—was confirmed on November 28, 2019, paving the way for his beatification.
On October 4, 2020, Olinto was beatified in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, with Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi presiding under Pope Francis’s authority. His feast day is celebrated on September 6, the day of his death, marking his “birth to heaven” in the Catholic tradition.
Blessed Olinto Marella’s legacy endures through the Opera di Padre Marella, which continues to serve the poor and marginalized in Bologna. His institutions, including the CittΓ dei Ragazzi, remain active, offering education, shelter, and hope. His streetcorner preaching, once controversial, is now celebrated as a model of evangelical zeal, and his life of humility and service inspires Catholics worldwide.
In Bologna, Olinto is remembered as a “barbone di Dio” (God’s beggar), a priest who lived simply and gave generously. His relics in the Holy Family Church draw pilgrims, and his story is a cornerstone of the city’s spiritual heritage. The Church recognizes him as a model of charity, resilience, and fidelity, even through years of trial and suspension.
O God, who inspired Blessed Olinto Marella to serve the poor with humility and zeal, grant us the grace to follow his example of charity and perseverance. Through his intercession, help us to love and uplift the marginalized, trusting in Your divine providence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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