17 Facts About Alberto Marvelli

Alberto Marvelli was an Italian Catholic and a member of the Catholic Action movement.

Alberto Marvelli became noted for his defense of the poor and for selflessness during World War II in tending to the homeless and wounded despite the devastating air raids while placing himself at risk in doing so.

Alberto Marvelli was an active champion for social justice and was known for giving his possessions to the poor and homeless, especially during the harsh winter periods.

Alberto Marvelli served as a town councilor for some time after the war and helped in restoration efforts though he died in an accident before election as a Christian Democrat candidate.

Alberto Marvelli was born on 21 March 1918 in Ferrara as the second of six children to Luigi Marvelli and his wife Maria Mayr.

Alberto Marvelli's mother - who herself worked in charities - was a special influence on his religious formation and often invited the poor to their home.

In Rimini, Alberto Marvelli attended the Salesian "oratorio" school and was involved with the Catholic Action group in his parish from the age of twelve.

Alberto Marvelli's father died unexpectedly on 7 March 1933, leaving his wife to take care of the children alone.

Alberto Marvelli continued his studies at the University of Bologna where he graduated in June 1941 with a degree in engineering and began working with the Fiat company in Turin.

Alberto Marvelli left soon after for conscription into the armed forces in Trieste but was exempted from it after a few months on the grounds that two of his brothers were already in service.

Alberto Marvelli is known to have given even his bicycle and the shoes off his feet to those most in need.

Alberto Marvelli gave out food to them as well as mattresses and blankets for their comfort.

Alberto Marvelli opened a soup kitchen for the poor where he himself served, and as co-founder of Italian Workers' Catholic Action formed a cooperative for construction workers.

Alberto Marvelli agreed to run in elections as a candidate for the Christian Democrats around this point, but died before the elections; people still voted for him, though his mother took his place as a candidate.

Alberto Marvelli was killed in the evening of 5 October 1946 when a van belonging to the armed forces struck him on a dark road as he cycled to a polling station for an election meeting.

Alberto Marvelli pointed to the way in which Marvelli had shown a level of honesty and integrity in his political activity that is not always found in the political field.

Alberto Marvelli was declared to be Venerable on 22 March 1986 after Pope John Paul II affirmed that he had lived a life of heroic virtue.