Blessed Marcel Callo

Life story

Marcel Callo was born on 6 December 1921 in Rennes, France. He joined the scouts, learned the printing trade and led a group of the Young Christian Workers (JOC). After the German occupation of France he took part in helping people passing through railway stations.

In March 1943 he was obliged to go to Germany for compulsory civilian labour. On 23 March 1943 he arrived at the Walther arms plant in Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia, where he organised religious services and a group of Christian activists among the workers.

On 19 April 1944 the Gestapo arrested him, regarding the JOC as a banned secret organisation. He was held at Gotha and then moved to Flossenbürg camp in October 1944, and later to the Mauthausen-Gusen complex, where he did forced labour, including riveting aircraft parts.

He became seriously ill in January 1945 and in early March was transferred to the sick camp outside Mauthausen. He died on 19 March 1945 of exhaustion and illness. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 4 October 1987 in Rome, recognising that he died for his faith. He has not been canonised; his feast is 19 March.

Works and witness

• Printer and JOC group leader in Rennes
• Sent to forced labour in Germany, arriving at Zella-Mehlis on 23 March 1943
• Organised religious services and a Christian group among the workers
• Arrested by the Gestapo on 19 April 1944
• Died on 19 March 1945; beatified on 4 October 1987

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Gusen Memorial Committee, Marcel Callo (gusen.org)
• Wikipedia, Marcel Callo (feast dates and arrest details)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.