(1924-2004)

Giovanni Merlo entered the Institute on October 14, 1947 at the age of twenty-three. At that time Certosa di Pesio housed post-war students who came from a variety of backgrounds: boys from professional training schools, field workers, offices workers and military veterans. They were considered “fast-track” or “remedial” students whose regular studies had been interrupted by the war.  Merlo’s  release papers from the Italian Army read: “Soldier Giovanni Merlo was an electrical mechanic with a diploma (1936-1937); he was drafted on January 5, 1943 and sent into battle on May 23, 1943. He was assigned to the Section of the First Engineering Regiment with the Identification Number, 20978.” He was taken prisoner by the Germans and sent to a concentration camp in Germany.   In later years Giovanni Merlo would recount his adventures as a soldier – he told us much about his experiences as a soldier and as a prisoner of war.

He brought a letter of introduction from the assistant pastor of San Francesco da Paolo in Turin (the theologian Silvio Valperga)  when he came to us at Certosa di Pesio. “I have known him for ten years – he worked with us as an assistant to the children of the Oratory and as a catechism teacher at Sacro Cuore di Maria. He nurtured a vocation to the religious life.”

Giovanni Merlo was born in Rivarolo Canavese in the province of Turin, diocese of Ivrea, on January 8, 1924.  He was the son of Pietro Merlo and Maria Novaresio. He went to the “Edmondo De Amicis” elementary school in Turin (1932-1935) and completed his secondary studies at Certosa di Pesio (1947-1949). He pursued further studies at Rosignano Monferrato (1949-1951); he was a novice at Certosa di Pesio (1951-1952); he studied philosophy and theology in Turin. On March 22, 1958 he was ordained to the priesthood in Turin.

In 1960 he was assigned to Mozambique and worked there from September 1962 to 1964, in the missions at Maimelane, Massinga and Mapinhane. His health began to fail and he was concerned about the welfare of his aged and infirm  mother – he wrote to the Superior General, Father Domenico Fiorina. Four years later the regional superior, Father Aldo Mongiano told him to write to Father Fiorina again. “My mother is old and alone. She has recently suffered cardiac illness and her neighbors are concerned. I have no brothers or sisters and ask that you allow me to return to Italy to be near her.”

His own health worsened and his mother’s problems increased; he was called back to Italy in 1970 and began treatment. At the same time he performed various ministerial tasks in Italy until his death.

Father Giovanni Merlo lived in silence and resignation. He bore a cross that was often heavier than his strength could support. Those who knew him in youth have pleasant memories of a young man full of enthusiasm who spoke with his hands, sang in moments of joy and was marked by simple, deep and heartfelt faith.

Those involved in his formation have reported on his character – including his weak points.  “He was good natured – but suffered frequent depression. He has the makings of a good missionary” (June 1949); “He entered the Institute after fighting in the war and being a prisoner in Germany. He will certainly be successful in his vocation – he is a very serious individual… he is opposed to anything modern … he is rigid and unyielding in his ideas (September 1955); “He has no particular talents – but is extraordinarily generous” (July 1957); “Common life is sometimes difficult for him – but he gives it everything he has … he has no particular needs. Good health … Naturally his age and personality make him a good candidate for the missions” (January 1958).

During the last three years of his life Father Merlo lived at Alpignano. He died there on January 16, 2003. He is buried in the cemetery in Alpignano.

Giovanni Tebaldi