Blessed Marcel Callo is another member of the Young Witnesses chosen by the 2018 Synod of Bishops to pray for young people and to guide the decisions of the bishops as they discuss the role of young people in the church and how best to support them. Blessed Marcel is a beautiful example of an ordinary young man who was martyred for his commitment to Christianity.

Born on December 6, 1921 in Rennes, France, Marcel was one of the eldest children in a large family of nine. Marcel, like any eldest child, took responsibility for household chores and cared for his younger siblings. At age thirteen, Marcel began working outside the home as a printer’s apprentice. He never entered the seminary, saying in response to inquiries that he felt he could do more good as a layperson.

When he started working, he found that his fellow workers were often bad influences, exhibiting particular disrespect towards women. As a reaction to the lewdness he experienced around him, Marcel kept very strict vigilance over his own behavior towards women.

When he was twenty, he fell in love with a young woman named Marguerite Derniaux, the first woman he had ever asked out on a date. When asked why he had waited twenty years, he responded: “One must master his heart before he can give it to the one that is chosen for him by Christ.” Exemplifying his slow and careful manner, Marcel courted Marguerite for what must have been (for her) a long year, before declaring his love for her. When they became engaged, they worked together to form a spiritual life of prayer and Mass together.

Their courtship was unfortunately short-lived. As the post-World War I fragile peace of Europe began to crumble, they were unable to marry before the Germans began to occupy France and Marcel was forcibly deported to Zella-Mehlis, Germany for forced labor in a weapons plant. Besides the crushing knowledge that his work was directly hurting his friends and countrymen, the lack of the sacraments and Mass caused Marcel to fall into a deep depression.

In the thick of his despondency, Marcel discovered a place where Mass was clandestinely offered on Sundays. This weekly Eucharist strengthened him to care for his friends in the labor camp. Marcel organized Christian workers together to build a simple community of good human living. They worked to create a community of joy through recreation and prayer together.

His Christian organizing among his campmates led to his arrest by German authorities in April 1944. Marcel was held in various prisons before being moved finally to Mauthausen concentration camp. He suffered from malnutrition, rough treatment, and a variety of diseases while in prison. He died on March 19, 1945, the feast of St. Joseph.

Marcel was beatified by John Paul II in 1987, and continues to be a patron for young men and women who seek to live Christian lives as laypersons, build Christian community, and make their work and play a joyful witness of the life of Christ.

Blessed Marcel Callo, who showed great bravery in the midst of inhumanity—pray for us!

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Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Marcel Callo is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 3, 2024.