Blessed Giovanni Merlini

Giovanni Merlini was born at Spoleto on 28 August 1795 and was ordained priest on 19 December 1818. Two years later, making a retreat preached by Saint Gaspare del Bufalo, founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, he was so struck by the saint's charism that he asked to join his work. He gave himself intensely to missionary preaching and to the spiritual direction of many souls, above all that of Saint Maria De Mattias, whom he guided for forty-two years together with the growing family of the Adorers of the Most Precious Blood. His ministry was carried out in the Pontine and coastal region, in a context of strong social resistance to the Papal State.

In 1847 he was elected Moderator General of his congregation, a charge he held until his death. He knew Pius IX personally and became his spiritual counsellor, and to that bond is owed the decree Redempti sumus of 10 August 1849, which established the feast of the Most Precious Blood for the universal Church. He died in Rome on 12 January 1873 after a road accident near Santa Maria in Trivio.