Giulio Bocci

The major work of Father Giuseppe di Sant'Elpidio is centered on the awakening, support, and accompaniment of priestly and religious vocations. In 1932, he officially founded the Opera delle Vocazioni (Work of Vocations) in Pesaro. To spread his message and raise awareness among the faithful, he oversaw the writing and publication of a small journal titled Pace e bene. At the same time, as director of the local Third Order of St. Francis, he began to gather a group of young girls and women desirous of dedicating their lives to prayer and to the spiritual and material support of vocations. This initial group became structured and gave birth, in 1943, to the congregation of the Sorelle Francescane delle Vocazioni (Franciscan Sisters of Vocations). This foundation subsequently evolved to become the secular institute of the Volontarie Francescane delle Vocazioni (Franciscan Volunteers for Vocations), whose consecrated members live their gift to God in the heart of the world. Father Giuseppe also invested himself in a very concrete way in the material development of his works, notably through the construction of the Casa Francescana (Franciscan House) of Pesaro, which became the nerve center of his project of evangelization and hospitality.

The reputation for holiness of Father Giuseppe di Sant'Elpidio, already very strong during his lifetime among the faithful of Pesaro who appreciated his humility, simplicity, and spiritual direction, was maintained after his death. On October 21, 1995, his remains were solemnly transferred to the Capuchin church in Pesaro, where he had lived and worked for forty-six years. The cause for beatification and canonization was officially opened in the diocese of Pesaro, under the impetus of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and the Institute of Franciscan Volunteers for Vocations. The diocesan inquiry into the life, virtues, and reputation for holiness of the Servant of God opened on June 16, 1995 (after obtaining the nihil obstat decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on September 19, 1995) and closed on November 25, 2000. The validity of this inquiry was recognized by a Roman decree on May 10, 2002. The Positio, a summary document demonstrating the heroic nature of his virtues, was published in 2020.

Father Giuseppe di Sant'Elpidio is not yet beatified or canonized. On February 23, 2023, during an audience granted to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God. By this official act of the Church, Giulio Bocci was declared Venerable. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession by the Holy See is now required.

The spirituality of the Venerable Giuseppe di Sant'Elpidio is deeply rooted in the Franciscan and Capuchin charism, characterized by evangelical poverty, detachment from material goods, and a spirit of constant sacrifice. His life of intense prayer, centered on the Eucharist and nourished by a deep Marian devotion, was the driving force of his apostolic action. His spiritual legacy is carried on today by the Secular Institute of the Franciscan Volunteers for Vocations, which continues his mission of prayer and support for vocations throughout the world. He is also commemorated each year, particularly on the anniversary of his death on November 23, both in his hometown of Sant'Elpidio a Mare and in his adopted diocese of Pesaro.