Blessed Marcel Callo

Biography

Blessed Marcel Callo, also known as Marceli, Marcello, or Marcellus, was born on 6 December 1921 in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, France. He was the second of nine children in his family. From a young age, Marcel displayed a strong sense of faith and a desire to serve others.

At the age of 10, Marcel joined the Boy Scouts and considered himself a Scout for the rest of his life. Alongside his scouting activities, he became a member of the Young Christian Workers (Jocists), a Catholic movement that aimed to promote Christian values in the workplace. Marcel was deeply committed to his faith and actively involved in the Jocist group in his local diocese of Rennes.

In 1940, when France was invaded by the Nazis during World War II, Marcel and some of his friends began assisting refugees who arrived from the eastern parts of the country. Despite the dangers, Marcel and his companions would go to the train station every day to provide aid and support to those who had been displaced by the war.

During this time, Marcel was engaged to Marguerite Derniaux. Unfortunately, due to the war and the subsequent circumstances, they were never able to marry. However, their love and commitment to one another would endure through the most trying times.

In 1943, Marcel was conscripted into a forced labor camp in Thuringia, Germany. Even in these bleak conditions, Marcel didn't allow his faith to waver. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to minister to others who were enslaved by the Nazis. Marcel's deep sense of compassion and his unwavering faith spread hope among his fellow prisoners.

On 19 April 1944, Marcel was arrested by the Gestapo for his membership in the Jocist movement, which was considered an outlawed secret society. The arresting officers bluntly stated that Marcel was being apprehended because he was "too much of a Catholic." Marcel was then transferred to various camps, including Gotha, Flossenburg, and ultimately, the Güsen I and II parts of the Mauthausen camp in Austria.

In Mauthausen, Marcel underwent grueling forced labor during the day and suffered abuse during the remaining hours. The miserable conditions took a toll on his health, and he eventually succumbed to tuberculosis and dysentery on 19 March 1945. Marcel's life was tragically cut short at the age of 23.

After his death, Marcel Callo was buried in a mass grave located outside the walls of the Mauthausen camp. His memory, however, would not be forgotten. Marcel's exemplary life of faith and courageous actions brought him recognition as a martyr.

On 1 June 1987, Pope John Paul II decreed Marcel's martyrdom, and on 4 October of the same year, he was beatified, being officially declared as "Blessed Marcel Callo." His feast days are celebrated on 19 March and 19 April in the Diocese of Linz, Austria.

Marcel Callo serves as an inspiring example of unwavering faith, selflessness, and dedication to others, even in the darkest of times. His life continues to inspire and encourage individuals to live out their faith with courage and love, especially in the face of adversity.