Clemente Marchisio
Clemente Marchisio was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba. He is recognized for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and Saint Joseph, and for establishing a religious order dedicated to serving women's spiritual needs. Marchisio was beatified on 30 September 1984.
Key Facts
- ›Clemente Marchisio was born on 1 March 1833 in Cuneo, Italy, as the first of five children.
- ›He was ordained to the priesthood on 20 September 1856, requiring a special dispensation due to not reaching the canonical age.
- ›Marchisio established the Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba on 12 November 1877, an order with an emphasis on the Eucharist and Saint Joseph.
- ›Pope Leo XIII praised the order, referring to its members as the "Sisters of the Host".
- ›His pastoral mission was extensive, leading him to travel across various Italian cities and receive recognition for his good works.
- ›He died on 16 December 1903, uttering the names of the Holy Family.
Major Works
- Spiritual writings
Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba
Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba
Eucharist, Saint Joseph
About Clemente Marchisio
Clemente Marchisio (1833–1903) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and a significant figure in religious life in the Archdiocese of Turin. He is primarily recognized as the founder of the Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba, a religious congregation established to address the spiritual needs of women.
Life and Historical Context
Born in Cuneo on March 1, 1833, Clemente Marchisio was the eldest of five children. His early life was marked by frequent Mass attendance and a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary. Despite initially considering following his father's profession as a shoemaker, Marchisio felt a calling to the priesthood. He received support for his studies and formation from Giovanni Battista Sacco.
Marchisio was ordained a priest on September 20, 1856, by the Bishop of Susa, Giovanni Antonio Oddone, a ceremony that required a special dispensation as he had not reached the canonical age. Following his ordination, he pursued further studies and served as an assistant priest starting in 1858. His daily schedule was rigorous, involving early morning reflection, Mass, and the recitation of two rosaries. He expressed profound devotion to the Eucharist, stating it revived him during tribulations.
Major Contributions
A pivotal moment in Marchisio's life was the establishment of the Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba. Encouraged by Archbishop Lorenzo Gastaldi of Turin to fill a void left by departing religious congregations, Marchisio founded the order on November 12, 1877. He utilized a weaving workshop for girls, which he had opened in 1871, as the basis for this new congregation. The order was dedicated to the Eucharist and Saint Joseph, and it gained significant recognition, including praise from Pope Leo XIII, who referred to its members as the "Sisters of the Host."
Marchisio's pastoral activities extended beyond Turin, as he traveled across various Italian cities, earning commendations for his work from church authorities. The order received diocesan approval from Archbishop Gastaldi in 1877 and a papal decree of praise from Pope Leo XIII in 1901. His health eventually declined due to his intense schedule, and he celebrated his final Mass on December 14, 1903, before passing away on December 16.
Legacy and Beatification
The congregation founded by Clemente Marchisio continued to flourish, eventually receiving pontifical right recognition from Pope Pius X in 1908. As of 2005, the order operated in countries such as Nigeria and Brazil, with a significant number of professed religious. The process for Marchisio's beatification began in Turin, involving extensive documentation and witness testimonies. His spiritual writings were approved by theologians in 1939, and he was declared Venerable by Pope Paul VI on May 4, 1970. Pope John Paul II formally recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession, leading to his beatification on September 30, 1984.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Clemente Marchisio born and where?
Clemente Marchisio was born on March 1, 1833, in Cuneo, Italy. He was the eldest of five children.
What religious order did Clemente Marchisio found?
Clemente Marchisio founded the Daughters of Saint Joseph of Rivalba. This order was dedicated to the Eucharist and Saint Joseph and was established to meet the religious needs of women.
When and by whom was Clemente Marchisio beatified?
Clemente Marchisio was beatified on September 30, 1984. The beatification ceremony was presided over by Pope John Paul II, following the recognition of a healing as a miracle attributed to his intercession.
What were Clemente Marchisio's key devotions?
Clemente Marchisio had an ardent devotion to the Eucharist, finding strength and revival in its presence. He also held a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary, and founded an order dedicated to the Eucharist and Saint Joseph.
What was Clemente Marchisio's role in the Archdiocese of Turin?
Clemente Marchisio served as a Roman Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Turin. He began as an assistant priest and later was encouraged by the Archbishop to establish a new religious order for women.
Related Blesseds
Elena Guerra
Elena Guerra was an Italian Catholic religious sister and founder of the Oblates of the Holy Spirit. She was a fervent advocate for devotion to the Holy Spirit and dedicated her life to the education of girls, particularly those from China and Africa. Guerra's significant contributions led to her beatification and subsequent canonization as a saint.
Antonio Franco
Antonio Franco was an Italian Catholic priest and prelate of Santa Lucia del Mela. Known for his holiness and ascetic life, he was beatified in 2013 by Cardinal Angelo Amato on behalf of Pope Francis after a miracle was recognized through his intercession.
Agnellus of Pisa
Agnellus of Pisa was an Italian Franciscan friar and the first minister provincial of the order in England. He is credited with founding the Franciscans in England, establishing a school at Oxford, and playing a role in mediating disputes. His cultus was confirmed by Pope Leo XIII in 1882.