by Sr. Kathryn James

What’s your favorite TV show? What’s the last book you’ve read? Do you have a favorite actor or actress? I want to tell you about someone who spent a lifetime in the business of the media—and he started out at the same age as some of today’s celebrities. 

His name is Timothy Giaccardo. He was born on June 13, 1896 in Italy. When he was in the seminary he joined a man with a big dream: Fr. Alberione. Fr. Alberione dreamed of using books and eventually things like TV shows, music and Internet to tell people about God. He didn’t want to preach only to the people who came to Church on Sunday. He wanted everyone to hear what he wanted to say—what God wanted to say. So Timothy—who was already in the seminary—joined him when he was 21. He shared Fr. Alberione’s dream and all the hard work of beginning five religious congregations of men and women. He used to teach the students and work during the day. Then he would spend many hours at night in prayer before Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. Timothy was especially known for his humility and kindness, as well as his love for Mary the Mother of Jesus. He died in 1948.