Andrew Maria Borello
Riccardo Borello, Andrew Maria was born in Mango, an agricultural centre at Alba on 8th March 1916. The difficult moments Andrew experienced from his young age made him a mature lad, trusting his life in God’s hands. When he was eight years old his father died fighting the First World War. He grew up with his mother and elder sister. In January 1925 his mother remarried and they moved to a new house. Although young, Riccardo assisted the stepfather in the field work.
Andrew Borello
In 1933, Andrew was 17 years old when he lost both his parents within a week. His stepfather died of pneumonia and his mother died as a result of heart failure. He found himself completely alone. His sister had moved to Turin. He was eventually adopted by the Peronne family.
As the days moved ahead Andrew was drawn towards a life of consecration. One day, the parish priest, who had appointed him as the leader of Legion of Mary, gave him a copy of MaggiorinoVigolungo's life, the first flower of the Apostleship of Editions, who died at the age of fourteen.
Reading this book Riccardo was convinced that the most effective way of loving one's neighbour and of growing in holiness was to dedicate one’s life, through the apostolate of social communications, which has the greatest influence on society.
And so, at the age of twenty, on 8 July1936 he entered the Society of St Paul.
Borello put all his energies at the service of others, as a brother – Disciple of the Divine Master.-as he did not feel called to be a priest. From the very first days of his entrance into the institute he was enthusiastic and grateful to the Lord and embraced with full responsibility the tasks of the new life: prayer, study and apostolate.
On 19 March 1937 he received from the hands of the Superior Fr Timothy Giaccardo the religious habit. On 7 April 71938 Riccardo took the vows in the hands of the Founder, Fr Giaccomo Alberione. He was named Bro. Andrew Maria Borello.
Bro Borello was very happy when, during the day, he was able to make short visits to the chapel and pray for an increase of priests and religious in the Church, dedicated to the apostolate of the social communications.
He never complained about the fatigue, the suffering and the pain that came on his way. He could withstand everything with a calm and serene faith.
He was assigned to work in the paper mill and the shoemaker’s workshop. For him it was a joy to serve the community.
Spirit of reparation is an important aspect in the life of every Pauline. Brother Andrew lived his mission of reparation in prayer, with prolonged hours of adoration, with the daily faithful exercise of the way of the cross.
At times he had to do night duty in the paper mill. Of his work in the paper mill he once said, “Yes, I’m going to do this which is a bit heavy. Every pile of paper that we lift and the sheet of paper on which the Word of God will be printed will be brought to people. I do everything for the Glory of God.”
Borello, every day, after meals retired to the chapel of Pieta, almost hidden, and stayed alone in the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When someone looking for him would have to find him praying there…
One day he asked his spiritual director permission to offer his life in a sacrifice to the Lord for the perseverance of vocations.
Within a few months he was taken seriously ill. A few days before his death his spiritual director visited him. Even on this occasion, on the threshold of eternity, he could reiterate his generous and total offer, renewing religious vows. He always prayed, and he often surprised others with the rosary in his hand, in prayer and in union with God
On 4 September 1948 he thanked the sisters of the Pious Disciples and all those who assisted him.
The attending physician, who had witnessed that passage, could not restrain himself from the profound impression that he said, “This is a great wonder to me: he died smiling.”
Lissy dsp