Page 200 - Reflections on St. Joseph

that which was a place of perdition. And we placed our spirit at the feet of the Most High in
cries of adoration and blessing” (July1885). This was the praise of a saint by another saint,
and in this we can see how the saints encounter each other under the pure eye of God.

5. Marello and the first Oblate lay collaborators.

The list of laity who came into contact with the spirituality of St. Joseph Marello could continue
on with the number of pious women who frequented the Church called the “Gesù” and later the
Church of Santa Chiara, when Marello led Eucharistic Adorations on Thursdays and later held
Sunday instructions for families in the large Mother House.

For those who could not regularly come for Adoration in the church, he had instituted the
Association of perpetual adorers at home, distributing among them their hours, such that all
the 24 hours of the day would be covered by adorations at home. These were the spiritual
developments of the Company of St. Joseph, which he had though of in 1872, and which will
have consequences after his death.

Among the first of these women, we can recall the teacher Annunziata Ratti, who for a long
time was the director of the Arri Nursery School in Asti and one of the most zealous
collaborators in the Cathedral parish.

Later on we have the Graglia sisters of whom we spoke above. They continued their lives of
devotion even after the death of Saint Marello and while Greca became Mother Superior of the
monastery of Pisa with the name Mother Giovanna Maria, her sisters Jole and Bice became
promoters of apostolic works in the city of Asti under the guidance of Canon Giuseppe Gamba,
who was also a spiritual child of Marello and for a long time curate of the Cathedral, before being
named bishop and cardinal.

And one could continue with Mrs. Giovanna
Mensi-Frova, who, for the great esteem which
she had for Marello, left her farm and adjacent
lands in the area of Casabianca d'Asti, and
retired to live in the house of Santa Chiara.

About Mrs. Angela Bosco, Bishop Marello
wrote from Acqui in 1892: “We have lost a
generous benefactor to S. Chiara and now we
can no longer show that holy woman our
recognition for her great beneficence except
with our prayers. I have already celebrated
the Holy Mass for her and in the days in which
I am free I will continue to celebrate it for her.
Also at S. Chiara you must continue to pray
for her blessed soul” (L. 227).

As can be seen, there were man good women
formed at the school of Marello and who then
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Reflections on st. joseph