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Fr. John Baptist Cortona, O.S.J.
CHAPTER 8
1889
Bishop-elect Marello leaves for Rome. Letters
from this city. His consecration as bishop. Festive receptions
on his return. Gifts offered him. First pontifical Mass.
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Pope Leo XIII had announced that at its February
11, 1889 meeting the consistory would name the new bishops and
invest them with the rochet. It was thus necessary to make quick
preparations for the trip to Rome. The brother tailors took great
care in preparing the bishop vestments, and at the beginning of
February Bishop-elect Marello together with Msgr. Torchio, the
dean of San Martino Alfieri, departed for the eternal city. In
spite of their burning desire to follow him, the brothers had to
be satisfied with accompanying him by their prayers and most fervent
wishes for a fruitful journey and a happy return. Soon after arriving
in Rome, he wrote our confreres a letter with news of his trip
and his first visits to the tombs of the holy apostles and other
saints, where he implored the aid of these heavenly patrons. The
text follows in its original freshness and simplicity:
"Rome, February 5, 1889
"Omnibus et singulis praesentem litteram inspecturis salutem in Domino.
How many things there are to say et omnia bona. St. Joseph watched over
our trip and brought us safe and sound to the eternal city. Yesterday after a
little rest and bodily nourishment, we went to thank God for the good trip and
to pay our initial pilgrim's respects to the holy apostles, princes of the area,
or actually of the whole world. Before their tomb I began the litany of invocations pro
me et carissimis meis, and I continued it at the tombs of other great saints.
What a beautiful kiss I planted on the tomb of St. Pancras, the martyred youth,
also in the name of the youth of our family! The litany will not end so soon,
for this city has hundreds of saints whose patronage I'm to claim, and then I
have to keep the promise I made. I've been here little more than twenty-four
hours and it already seems like a month. The sights and dealings with so many
people have rent my thoughts away from St. Clare's. This morning we were in the
Vatican for a couple of hours and we have already taken care of matters relating
to the consistory: visited the chamber master, requested the audience with the
Holy Father, made the profession of faith and taken the oath orally and in writing
before the most holy auditor, begun the arrangements with the bishop-elect of
San Severino for the consecration, perhaps in the church of the Oblate Sisters
of St. Frances of Rome. We also paid a visit to the Piedmontese cardinal, Oreglia,
who welcomed us most graciously-Hodie sufficit. If I will do my best to
keep our bargain, may the brothers do the same on their end; Deus autem nos
adiuvet et exaudiat semper-Iterum salutat omnes qui in Hospitio Clariano serviunt
Deo.
Joseph una cum comite peregrinationis"
The various families at St. Clare's replied, advising him of the
prayers they were offering on his behalf, and expressing to him
their most tender wishes and feelings of affection and gratitude,
in short all the dictates of their hearts. In a second letter he
extends sincere thanks to all and continues the description of
the holy places he visited and especially the audience he had with
the Holy Father, Leo XIII:
"Rome, February 9, 1889
"Litteras vestras accepi, fratres in Christo carissimi, et hisce litteris
meis venio ad vos. I am taking advantage of all available time to continue
my pilgrimage to the tombs of the saints. In these few days how many gracious
audiences I have already had with many of them! It's so much easier to meet with
heaven's princes than with the earthly ones. While I must await permission for
access to the dignitaries of the Church militant and be content for now at least
with seeing the Pope and cardinals from afar, I go with complete freedom to visit
St. Peter at the Mamertine Prison, St. Paul at his underground dwelling, St.
Lawrence and St. Stephen in the resting place they share, St. Ignatius in his
cell, St. Leonard of Port Maurice at the scene of his rigorous penances, the Sanctos
qui consummati in brevi expleverunt tempora multa in the small rooms where
they lived (in St Aloysius' we celebrated Holy Mass and stayed for a couple of
hours), St. Catherine of Siena, St. Frances of Rome, St. Felix of Cantalice,
St. Philip and James, St. Leo and St. Gregory the Great, etc., etc. to cease
belaboring the point. Also worthy of extensive comment was Thursday's service
in the Sistine Chapel for the deceased Pius IX of blessed memory. The Holy Father
participated in the service in the company of cardinals, bishops, Roman princes,
and dignitaries of every religious and civil rank. The singing probed every recess
of the heart and it seems like I can still hear Pope Leo's voice blessing and
entreating eternal rest for the soul of his predecessor. I am still moved beyond
what words can describe.
"-February 10, morning hours. Yesterday evening I was finally
able to see the Holy Father up close, to kiss his foot, to shake
his hand, to talk with him from 5:30 to 6:15 and hear verba
vitae from the mouth of the Vicar of Christ. We formed around
the Prince of the Apostles a crown of seven designates for the
apostolic mission, and oh what courage the presence of that holy
old man instilled in our hearts! What salutary counsel, what wise
guidelines for the life of a bishop! What encouragement to charity,
meekness, constancy of will, and above all to Gospel prudence.
He wished to insist on this commenting on St. Gregory's words which
call this virtue the abbess of all the others, and on the saying
of a pontiff I believe: 'si sanctus est oret pro nobis si doctus
est doceat nos, si prudens est regat nos.' But it's impossible
to even mention all that we heard in that unforgettable audience
which opened with fatherly encouragement for each one individually
and closed with an apostolic blessing for all. Tomorrow evening
we are invited to a second audience and I will request renewed
blessings pro omnibus meis iuxta singulorum vota. Now I
give many thanks to the Lord for all the assistance I'm receiving
these days through the prayers of my beloved brethren and all the
good young rascals of St. Clare's. The saints of Rome will give
them their recompense for me. An individual reply for each individual
petition. Fr. Cortona will be satisfied with the tasks delegated
to him from my part. To him I entrust the missions of greeting
all the Vincentian Sisters and particularly the mother superior
whom he will inform that every day at the usual time I have my
good bread crumbs; of returning affectionate greetings to our dearest
rector; of remembering me to Canon Cantino, Canon Mussi, Fr. Rossetti,
Fr. Vergano, Fr. Raimondo, and the other worthy priests of St.
Clare's; of saying a special nice word to Fr. Ferrero; of communicating
my news to the boarders at the Milliavacca Institute and through
Canon Cantino to the Sisters of Charity; in short of greeting omnes
salutandos.
"-Feb. 10, afternoon hours. Since I went to dinner with Cardinal
Oreglia, I couldn't put everything I wanted in the letter. It's
already pretty long anyway, and so as to be able to get it into
the mail right away, I'll have to save the individual replies for
another day. Fr. Cortona will interpret my responses for me and
will tell each one who wrote a part of the collective letter that
I hold their affectionate words (including those of Fr. John) and
all the dear families they represent very close to my heart. Tomorrow
they will surround me at the Holy Father's feet and will receive
the same blessing as the bishop of Acqui-Joseph S. Clarae"
After a spiritual retreat of preparation in which he blissfully
asked the Holy Spirit for the heavenly gifts of wisdom, prudence,
counsel, and every other charism needed to faithfully fulfill his
duties as a holy shepherd, he was consecrated bishop on February
17, 1889, at the Capuchin fathers' Church of the Conception. Presiding
was Cardinal Raphael Monaco La Valletta, dean of the Sacred College
and grand penitentiary, assisted by their excellencies archbishops
Rocco Cocchia, ordinary of Chieta, and Ignatius Persico, titular
of Damiata. Who could describe his heart's throbbing ardor and
his soul's intimate conversation with God at the solemn moment
of his consecration? Only a deeply contemplative spirit could identify
and even begin to express his feelings. In that ceremony he renewed
his total surrender to the Lord so as to serve Him in that field
assigned to him. He entrusted the Divine Shepherd with the flock
that heaven had commended to him.
The day after his consecration, he wrote a third letter describing
the farewell visits to the various cardinals and the further audience
with the Holy Father, and relating his holy impressions:
"Rome, February 18, 1889
"Yesterday I was unable to travel by letter among my most beloved at St.
Clare's, but oh how many times I found myself in their midst in spirit! The entire
day was spent in heartfelt but indescribable joys: the first part with the Holy
Spirit from whom I had to seek and receive so many favors; the second part in
fraternal agape with my four apostolic companions joined together around our
common father who had laid hands on us and anointed us bishops; the final part
at the feet of Jesus Christ's Vicar to take leave of him and listen to his comforting
words of farewell. The Lord must have secretly communicated to my most beloved
brothers of St. Joseph the consolations that overwhelmed my soul on this memorable
day. I will still have to use this week for farewell visits: to Cardinal Oreglia
who showed us so much kindness; to Cardinal Massaia, venerable apostle of Africa,
with whom we enjoyed a holy hour and a half conversation admiring his charity
and simplicity as a great servant of the Lord; to our consecrating cardinal,
also a holy man, grand penitentiary by title and penitent by virtue; to the archbishops
assisting in the consecration, of the Capuchin Order, both so deserving of reward
for having suffered such persecution, working in such far away countries; to
all the cardinals in a word, for it is only right to personally pay my humble
respects to all. I still have a considerable number of visits to make to other
dignitaries on earth and many more to heaven's dignitaries. I will budget my
time to make all those I previously planned for this trip. The visits to be received,
the letters to be sent, and the various errands to be carried out could cause
a delay in my departure, but in any case by the end of this month I'll be, Deo
favente, in medio eorum qui me diligunt. The Holy Father has deigned
to assure me of his help in this expression of thanks by blessing all with a
special apostolic blessing. Holy old man! How he took consolation along with
me from the affectionate testimonies that I received on this occasion, as if
he experienced in his own heart the same feeling of gratitude that moved my heart.
That's enough. When I arrive in person I will have plentiful material to relate
for our conversations during the recreation periods. For now I charge the priests
with expressing my thanks to Fr. Rossetti, Fr. Vergano, Fr. Gamba, Fr. Ponzio,
and good dear Felice (see note below) who had the graciousness to send me a kind
telegram yesterday. May they also receive through this letter an expression of
my gratitude for their kindness. A warm greeting to all who inquire about me.
To the mother superior, the sisters and aspirants, to the big and little brothers, carissimisque
omnibus, to both the beginning and the more advanced Latin students, including
those who aspire to it from the desks of the liberal arts, in short to everyone
in the house etiam parvulis a Benedicat vos with all the force of that
charity that must inflame the heart of a new bishop. And for their part may they
continue to pray for him who has now become father to another numerous family
and must sign off with a cross
+Joseph, Bishop of Acqui"
As anyone can easily imagine, Marello was anxiously awaited in
Asti, and for the brothers so desirous of seeing him again every
moment seemed like a thousand years. Meanwhile preparations were
being made for a welcome befitting the new dignity conferred upon
him. He arrived late in the evening and went to pay his respects
to Bishop Ronco. The brothers nevertheless decided to wait so as
to offer him their reverence and share with him their joy. Right
under the house's porticos adorned for the occasion, they gave
full expression to the affection they kindled for him by gentle
singing and beautiful literary compositions. On March 18, vigil
of St. Joseph's day, they held a well-prepared musical recital
in his honor. The occasion was taken to offer him the most splendid
gifts. The chancery and bishop gave him a precious miter which
is still preserved at St. Clare's. The people of San Martino offered
him another Byzantine style miter. His classmates gave him a silver
chalice and a missal, so as to always be remembered during the
holy celebration of the Mass. Other devout persons offered him
various bishop vestments. The brothers gave him a silverware set
which he himself had to pay for since they possessed nothing. The
Feast of St. Joseph was celebrated with a solemn pontifical Mass,
during which choice music was executed, and in which people admired
the dignity, composure and grace with which Bishop Marello performed
the sacred ceremonies.
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