With his official beatification approaching in Bologna on September 27, 2026, discover the final months of the life of this young Dehonian priest at the heart of one of the darkest periods of the Second World War. A book written by Father Juan José Arnaiz, SCJ, from the Spanish Province.
“Martino Capelli: Winter has come. A short story of mercy”. In this publication from the General Postulation of the Dehonians, the author, Fr. Juan José Arnaiz, SCJ (from the Spanish Province), focuses on the final months of the life of the martyr Martino Capelli. These months unfolded between July and October 1944, against the backdrop of the Monte Sole massacre, one of the most heinous crimes committed by the Nazi SS in Italy.
Brief Summary
Autumn 1944. As Italy is torn apart by the clashes along the Gothic Line in the Monte Sole region south of Bologna, the destiny of Father Martino Capelli hangs in the balance. A young priest of only 32 years old, deeply driven by the dream of going on a mission, he finds himself plunged into the heart of Nazi terror.
In the face of civilian massacres and the total breakdown of authority, he refuses to flee. Alongside the Salesian Don Elia Comini, he becomes a heroic point of reference for the local population: hiding men to save them from deportation, tending to the wounded, and burying the dead at the peril of his own life.
Arrested by the SS solely due to his status as a dedicated Catholic priest, he endures the humiliation of forced labor before being led to his death on October 1, 1944. His final moments, spent blessing and absolving his fellow captives, still resonate today as a pinnacle of forgiveness: “We forgive. My Jesus, mercy!”.
Why Read This Book Today?
Based on rigorous historical research and Father Capelli’s intimate spiritual writings, “The winter has come” reveals the power of faith. It is the vibrant testimony of an ordinary man made extraordinary by his love for God and for his brothers and sisters.
To obtain a copy of the book or to learn more about the beatification celebrations, please contact the General Postulation of the Dehonians:
postulazione.generale@dehoniani.org
or download the book here:
https://www.dehoniani.org/en/fr-martino-capelli-scj-to-be-beatified-soon/books/
