Giuseppe Giaccardo

As the first Pauline priest and right-hand man to Father Alberione, Father Timoteo Giaccardo dedicated himself entirely to the development and structuring of the Pauline Family. Nicknamed by the founder as "the faithful of the faithful," he assumed heavy responsibilities in formation, spiritual direction, and administration. In January 1926, he was sent to Rome to found the first branch house of the Society of Saint Paul, thus laying the foundations for the congregation's expansion at the very heart of the Church. There, he worked actively on the printing and distribution of the "good press," while managing delicate relations with the Holy See for the approval of the institute's constitutions. In 1936, he returned to Alba to take over the direction of the Motherhouse as superior. During this period, which coincided with the dark years of the Second World War, he guided hundreds of seminarians and students both spiritually and materially, maintaining the cohesion and fervor of the community despite the deprivations and dangers of the conflict. In 1946, he was recalled to Rome and appointed the first Vicar General of the Society of Saint Paul. It was in this position that he led his final and greatest apostolic battle: the pontifical recognition of the third branch of the Pauline Family, the congregation of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (Pie Discepole del Divin Maestro), dedicated to Eucharistic adoration, liturgical service, and the support of priests. Faced with the reluctance of the Roman Curia, which was considering the suppression of this branch, Father Giaccardo offered his life to God to obtain their approval. On January 12, 1948, Pope Pius XII signed the decree of praise officially approving the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. That same morning, Father Giaccardo celebrated his very last Mass. Stricken with acute leukemia, he passed away piously in Rome on January 24, 1948, the feast day of his patron saint Timothy and the eve of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

The reputation for holiness of Father Timoteo Giaccardo spread immediately after his death, both within the Pauline Family and among the faithful who had known him. The informative process for his beatification opened in Rome on June 8, 1955. On December 10, 1964, under the pontificate of Pope Paul VI, the cause was officially introduced to the Congregation of Rites, conferring upon him the title of Servant of God. After a meticulous examination of his writings and virtues, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues on May 9, 1985, thereby declaring him Venerable. The miracle accepted for his beatification was the unexplained healing of a nun from the congregation of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master who was suffering from bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis deemed incurable. Following a novena of prayers addressed to the intercession of Father Timoteo Giaccardo, she was instantly and completely healed. This prodigy also prompted the conversion to Catholicism of the chief physician of the sanatorium, who was a Buddhist. The decree approving this miracle was signed by John Paul II on May 13, 1989.

Father Timoteo Giaccardo was solemnly beatified on October 22, 1989, by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, on the occasion of World Mission Day. His liturgical memorial is set for January 24 by the Roman Martyrology, the day of his birth into heaven. However, the Pauline Family celebrates his feast on October 19, the anniversary of his priestly ordination, while the Diocese of Alba commemorates his memory on October 22, the anniversary of his beatification. His mortal remains, which had rested since 1966 in the crypt of the sanctuary of Santa Maria Regina degli Apostoli alla Montagnola in Rome, were transferred on May 5, 2014, to the temple of Saint Paul in Alba, thus returning to the land of his apostolic beginnings.

The spirituality of Father Timoteo Giaccardo is deeply rooted in the Eucharistic mystery and Marian devotion. For him, daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was the indispensable source of all apostolate. He professed absolute trust in Mary, Queen of Apostles, whom he considered the true protectress of the Pauline work. His legacy lies in his ability to combine an intense contemplative life with total commitment to the most modern forms of apostolate. He taught by example that communication tools (press, radio, cinema) are not mere technical instruments, but means of grace that must be sanctified to bring the Gospel to the world. His filial obedience to Father Alberione and his supreme offering for the recognition of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master make him the model par excellence of the Pauline religious, a "communicator of humility" entirely configured to Christ the Master, Way, Truth, and Life.