Brief Biography of Giovanni Merlini

August 28, 1795: Giovanni Merlini was born in Spoleto (Italy), son of Luigi Merlini and Antonia Claudia Arcangeli.

August 15, 1815Saint Gaspar del Bufalo founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in Giano di Umbria, at the Abbey of St. Felice.

December 19, 1818: Giovanni Merlini was ordained a priest.

June 28 to July 6, 1820: He participated in a retreat preached by Saint Gaspar in S. Felice di Giano.

August 12-20, 1820: He participated with Saint Gaspar in the mission to Montemartano.

August 15, 1820He decided to join the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood.

(Crucifix used by Merlini)

March-April 1824: During Lenten catechesis in Vallecorsa, he decided to assume the spiritual direction of Santa Maria De Matias.

April 21, 1826: Don Giovanni inaugurates L'Aquila's great mission as director.

March 4, 1834: Saint Mary of Matthias founded the Congregation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Acuto.

December 28, 1837: Saint Gaspar del Bufalo dies in Rome.

January 28, 1838: Bishop Biaggio Valentini is elected Superior General of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Bishop Giovanni Merlini is appointed deputy director and secretary-general.

December 17, 1841: Gregory XVI approves the Rule of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood.

August 26, 1847: Due to his failing health, Dom Biaggio Valentini appointed Dom Giovanni to replace him as Superior General of the Congregation.

November 23, 1847: Dom Biaggio Valentini dies.

December 28, 847: Bishop Giovanni Merlini is elected Superior General of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

August 10, 1849: On the advice of D. Giovanni Merlini, Pope Pius IX extended the Feast of the Most Precious Blood to the entire Church with the decree Redempti sumus.

January 28, 1854: Pius IX donates the Church of Santa Maria in Trivio, in Rome, to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

July 31, 1866: Father Giovanni Merlini, ecclesiastical superior of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, participates in part of the congress held by Santa Maria de Matias, in which Carolina Longo is elected superior general.

August 20, 1866Saint Mary of Matthias dies in Rome.

January 12, 1873Father Giovanni Merlini dies in Rome. His body is buried in the Verano Cemetery.

April 10, 1880: The general leadership of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood has decided to open the beatification process for Father Giovanni Merlini.

March 20, 1946: Examination of the body of Father Giovanni Merlini and transfer of his mortal remains to the church of Santa Maria in Trivio.

May 10, 1973: Decree of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on the heroic virtues of Dom Giovanni Merlini.

January 12, 2025: Dom Giovanni Merlini is beatified at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.