Timothy Giaccardo
The first priest of the Society of St. Paul, was born on 13, June 1896, at Narzole, Alba in Italy. At the age of six months, when seriously ill, his parents prayed fervently to the Blessed Virgin Mary and almost miraculously the child regained normal health.
Joseph imbibed from his parents, their simple and strong faith, amidst religious atmosphere, and developed a special love for the Eucharist and a filial devotion to the Blessed Mother. He was sent to school at the age of four where he proved to be an intelligent student.
Fr Alberione
Joseph, from a very young age had a desire to be one. He expressed his wish but disclosed that his father was poor to bear the expenses.
Fr Alberione, affirming Joseph’s candidature for priesthood, met Joseph’s parents, requesting them to send him to the seminary of Alba, where he was the spiritual director. Joseph’s parents were assured that his expenses would be taken care of. So, in October 1908, Joseph Giaccardo entered the seminary of Alba.
Preparing for the Mission: Joseph continued with his seminary studies and also progressed steadily in his spiritual life. Their spiritual director, Fr Alberione shared with the seminarians, his vision for the future evangelization, through the Media of communications. Joseph Giaccardo, who was already having an inclination to journalism, was quick to understand the mind of his spiritual director. Joseph met Fr Alberione and shared with him his thoughts and sought advice.
Fr Alberione listened to him attentively and said, “Pray with evermore profound humility and with more intense sorrow for your sins.”
In an emergency, during the World War I, Fr Alberione sought the help of Joseph, to care for his young boys in the press. When Joseph approached Bishop Re of Alba, he was given a choice: stay in the seminary, if he wished to become a priest.
Joseph made a painful decision. He would join the Institute of Fr Alberione and devote his entire life to the apostolate of the press. He felt the invisible hand of God guiding him, and an invisible power drawing him to the apostolate of the press.
The sacrifice made by Joseph did not go in vain. God wanted him to be a priest involved in the apostolate of the Press. The rector who was also the professor at the seminary, intervened in favour of Joseph. Bishop Re agreed that Joseph could continue his studies at the seminary and still enter the Institute of Alberione. Thus, with joy, Joseph left the Seminary on 4 June 1917 to join the band of Fr Alberione.
On 8 September, of the same year, Joseph Giaccardo made his first Religious Profession with his four companions, in the Society of St Paul, the institute founded by Alberione.
Knowing well that Jospeh shared his vision, Fr Alberione made him the master of formation of the young boys.
First Priest of the Society of St Paul:
On 19 October 1919, Fr Joseph Giaccardo was ordained a priest. On 7 June 1920 at the renewal of their Religious Vows, the professed members received their new names. Fr Alberione chose the name Timothy for Fr. Joseph Giaccardo and was a beloved disciple of Fr Alberione.
In the same year he took Doctorate in St Thomas Aquinas.
The trusted Collaborator of Fr Alberione:
During the first years of growth and difficult moments of the Congregation, Fr Timothy was by the side of the Founder, using his talents and energies to organize almost every aspect of life, formed the first vocations, took classes, helped in the administration, edited the newspaper La Gazzetta d’Alba and spent long hours in prayer.
He was the first Vicar General of the Society of St Paul. The candle of his life was constantly being burned out on the altar of the Pauline apostolate.
Return to the Father:
Fr Giaccardo’s physical condition deteriorated rapidly. All the members of the Pauline Family began to storm the heavens with their prayers for a miracle. From his bed of suffering Fr Giaccardo told them, “Yes, you may even ask for a miracle but only according to God’s will.”
On Saturday, 24 January 1948 Fr. Timothy Giaccardo entered his heavenly abode. The apostle of the media, the priest who preached through the printing press, the priest who assisted the Founder, Fr James Alberione, had now returned to his reward.
On 22 October 1989 he was proclaimed “Blessed” by St Pope John Paul ll. His feast is kept on 19 October.