Blessed Alberto Marvelli (1918-1946)

Born in Italy, he attended the Catholic Action group in the parish, where his faith was nurtured and sustained. At Bologna University where he continued his studies, he was also active in the Catholic organization. Alberto graduated in 1941 with a degree in engineering and left immediately for the army, but was exempted because his brothers were already in service. Upon his return home he was elected diocesan vice-president of Catholic Action. He began teaching in a high school, devoting his time to designing projects, to prayer (he was especially devoted to the Eucharist) and to helping the sick and poor. During the German occupation, Alberto was able to save many people from deportation to the concentration camps, courageously freeing them from the sealed carriages of the trains that were ready to leave the station of Santarcangelo. After the war, he became town councillor. He also opened a soup kitchen. He joined the Christian Democrats after the war and became an active member. He understood politics as an important service of faith and justice to society. On the evening of October 5, 1946, he was run over by an army truck and died a few hours later. He was beatified in 2004. Youtube has a bio of the Blessed in Italian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL5lR8r1S_I

(From the Vatican Website)