Blessed Giuseppe Timoteo Giaccardo

Giuseppe Giaccardo (13 June 1896 - 24 January 1948) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Society of Saint Paul that Giacomo Alberione established. Giaccardo became the latter's closest aide and confidant and was involved in promoting the congregation and the Pauline charism. His profession into the order saw him assume the religious name of "Timoteo". He became a Servant of God on 10 December 1964 under Pope Paul VI when the sainthood process commenced. Pope John Paul II declared him to be Venerable in 1985 and beatified Giaccardo on 22 October 1989; his liturgical feast is assigned for 22 October. Giuseppe Giaccardo was born in Cuneo on 13 June 1896 to the farmers Stefano Giaccardo and Maria Cagna as the eldest of five children. Giaccardo was given the names of "Giuseppe Domenico Vincenzo" when he was baptized. He was ill to the point of near-death at the age of six months which resulted in a miraculous cure after his parents turned to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a child he had a little statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a ledge in his room and he also served as a Mass server. He was known for his docile nature and for his ardent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Giaccardo met the priest Giacomo Alberione as a child at the age of twelve. It was Alberione who heard Giaccardo's first confession and was impressed with the latter's spirit and devotion to the sacraments. In 1908 the priest invited Giaccardo to go with him to Alba to start his studies to become a priest. He studied for the priesthood in Alba from the age of twelve - after entering on 17 October 1908 - due to the support of Alberione (the latter also taught there). On 22 January 1915 he was drafted and assigned to the 2nd Company of Health in Alexandria but was discharged on 7 January 1916 due to oligemia (anemia). In his journal in 1916 he said: "I want to become a saint. Transform me into You".