LETTERS TO OR ABOUT MARELLO (1864 - 1895) Letters A1-A39

A 1

FR. G.B. TORCHIO TO THEOLOGIAN P. ELIA

Investiture of Marello

His miraculous recovery

New Year greetings

[San Martino Tanaro, January 11, 1864]

My dearest and illustrious Theologian,

             I hasten to share with you and with your beloved family the joy I experienced two days ago of bringing back to the foot of the altar our Marello and of presiding again over his investiture into the clerical state. I have taken and recognized in this decision of his a Christmas gift from the good Lord and as a bit of solace He has deigned to give me to comfort my poor heart... perierat et inventus est!

             The hand of God, not even a month ago, had led him to the threshold of eternity, but He let him go. I sincerely hope, to make of him something completely His, a zealous priest. Let us offer Him our praise and thanksgiving.

             I hope all of you have started the new year well, and therefore I offer you and your relatives, whom you will be so kind to greet for me, my best wishes and those of my brother.

             Taking this happy opportunity to express again my deepest esteem and sincerest affection, I remain

Your most obedient servant and dearest friend,

G.B. Torchio, Pastor

A 4

FR. D. BOSSO TO CANON J. MARELLO

[Turin, January 13, 1885]

Dear Canon Marello,

             Tomorrow, the 14th, was set for Father to go to your town to discuss matters pertaining to the schools, but Divine Providence has decided otherwise. Last night at two o’clock the eminent Canon None, an old benefactor of the Little House, died in Turin and left the same as heir to his modest patrimony. So since I must do the burial tomorrow, it has become impossible for me to leave Turin. Nevertheless, quod differtur non aufertur, and within the coming week, most likely on Monday, I hope to be in your town, if not to celebrate the Feast of St. Hilary as the good Rector Fr. Rossetti had graciously invited me to do, then at least to pay a visit.

             Your letter made me exclaim a heartfelt Deo Gratias, because it is evident how Divine Providence watches over your dear house and how you fear nothing, but we will discuss that more at length there.

             Everything else proceeds well in Domino, and we hope that Divine Providence will decide to do still many more things. Fiat, Fiat!

             I send warm greetings to you, to the whole Congregation, and to the little Seminary, and I beg you to pay my respects to good Fr. Rossetti, telling him that what couldn’t be done Saturday will be done Monday.

Your good friend and companion in the works of Divine Providence,

Fr. Dominic Bosso

P.S. Many greetings to the Sisters.

A 6

BISHOP G. RONCO TO MSGR. G. PAGELLA

[Asti, November 28, 1888]

             ...In his every office he has shown an ability to assign proper importance to it, to know the persons to work with, the problems to be overcome, the quantity and the quality of the duties to be fulfilled. Thus performing them with admirable calm and firmness he has been able to run the straight path of duty and simultaneously win the respect and the esteem of all. He is gifted with ability for action, and without seeming pressured or wasting a moment, he works with great peacefulness and constancy. He has shown a great knowledge of the world and has not let himself be taken in by others’ deceits.

             ...He is of such kind and patient disposition that, when confronted with people’s importunities, he has never been known to appear irritated nor to speak sharply, and particularly not in his Chancery Office....

             His gifts of true, sincere, and profound devotion are well evident from the most edifying demeanor which emanates from his entire person, from the strict self-possession he maintains in church and at all sacred ceremonies, and from the zeal with which he moves others to devotion in the many prayer exercises which he initiated and directs in the church next to the Hospice of Charity. Yet this does not prevent him from actively and effectively attending to the salvation of souls. In fact he daily performs the ministry of sacramental confession both in the cathedral and in the church of the Hospice of Charity, both in the morning and in the evening at the penitents’ convenience. He is very effective in his preaching: spontaneously deciding to proclaim the Word of God in the church of the Hospice of Charity, he is joyfully listened to not only by the patients, but also by many who flock to hear him there.

             His life is a tireless practice of saintly virtues, of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and of charitable deeds for the poor. And this entire treasure is hidden beneath the wrapping of the purest humility....

A 20

FR.. J. B. CORTONA TO BISHOP J. MARELLO

[Asti, June 7, 1892]

J.M.J.

             ...Fine, Bishop, very fine. We have already produced a good amount of hay. The grapes are looking magnificent, as are the grain and corn. So far the silkworms are also doing very fine.... It has already been twenty days since we sent Your Excellency a half cask of wine.... Soon we will also send you a little Asti Grignolino table wine. Perhaps it would be better for you to send us back the demijohns so we will not have to buy others.

A 25

FR.. J. B. CORTONA TO BISHOP J. MARELLO

[Asti, December 11, 1893]

J.M.J.

             ...The other day I was thinking that our Congregation must have at least the appearance of a tasty morsel since it whets so many people’s appetite. At its birth the Michelerio Institute wanted to engulf it. When it moved to St. Clare’s, it tempted first Fr. Bosso, then later the Doctrinarians, more recently Fr. Ponzan, and finally Fr. Ferrero who seems never to have taken his eye off of it and to have already made his plans for it.