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1921-1945
Marcel Callo was born on December 6, 1921, in Rennes, France,
being one of nine children. He was a happy child, who was known
to be a leader and a perfectionist. He helped with his household
chores and he helped take care of his younger siblings. After
completing his primary studies, he became an apprentice to a printer
around age 13. He did not like associating with fellow workers
who swore and told many improper stories. He preferred accompanying
good Catholic friends who belonged to the JOC, Jeunesse Ouvriere
Chretienne (Young Christian Worker). He had a good sense of humor
and would like to wrestle, play football, ping pong, cards and
bridge.
When Marcel was 20 he fell in love with Marguerite Derniaux.
He did not degrade women like his fellow worker but instead had
deep respect for women. He said, "I am not one to amuse myself
with the heart of a lady, since my love is pure and noble. If
I have waited until 20 years old to go out with a young lady,
it is because I knew that I wanted to find real love. One must
master his heart before he can give it to the one that is chosen
for him by Christ." It took him about one year to declare
his love to Marguerite and an additional four months before they
first kissed. After being engaged, they imposed a strict spiritual
rule of life which included praying the same prayers and going
to Mass and receiving the Eucharist as often as they could.
On March 8, 1943, the war (World War II) had gripped their city
of Rennes. That day his sister, Madeleine was killed by one of
the bombs that leveled her building. When the Germans later occupied
France, Marcel was ordered and deported to Zella-Mehlis, Germany
to the S.T.O.,Service du Travail Obligatoire (Service of Obligatory
Work). If he did not comply, his family would be arrested, so
he went.
Once there, he worked in a factory that produced bombs that would
be used against his own countrymen. After three months or so of
missing his family and missing Mass (there was no Catholic church
in that town), Marcel became seriously depressed. He later found
a room where Mass was offered on Sunday. This helped change his
disposition. He reported that, "Finally Christ reacted. He
made me to understand that the depression was not good. I had
to keep busy with my friends and then joy and relief would come
back to me."
With his morale and hope restored, he cared for his deported
friends. He organized a group of Christian workers who did activities
together like play sports or cards. He also organized a theatrical
group. He galvanized his friends despite him suffering from painful
boils, headaches and infected teeth. For his French friends, he
arranged a Mass to be celebrated in their native tongue. Eventually,
his religious activities attracted unwanted attention from the
German officials. The Germans arrested Marcel on April 19, 1944
saying that, "Monsieur is too much of a Catholic."
The Germans interrogated Marcel. He admitted his Catholic activities
and was imprisoned in Gotha. He secretly received the Eucharist
while in prison and continued to pray and help his companions.
He was considered dangerous to the Germans and was moved to a
different prison at Mathausen. He suffered from various ailments
such as bronchitis, malnutrition, dysentery, fever, swelling,
and generalized weakness. He never complained. Despite his suffering,
he encouraged his companions by saying, "It is in prayer
that we find our strength." He died on the feast of St. Joseph,
March 19, 1945. The date was exactly two years from the day he
left home.Pope John Paul II beautified Marcel Callo on October
4, 1987 along with two Italian martyrs, Antonio Mesina and Pierina
Morosini.
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