Claretian Formation

FR. PHILIP MAROTO’S SHORT GENERALATE (1934-1837)

The XIII General Chapter

In 1934, shortly after the beatification of Fr. Claret, the XIII General Chapter of the Congregation was celebrated in Rome from March 15 to April 30. In it Fr. Philip Maroto was elected as new Superior General. He was very well known in Rome for his spiritual and intellectual gifts. He had an exceptional disposition for law. He was so well known that some times the Claretians were called “Marotines.”

In this Chapter they dealt on the Government of the Congregation, observance, ministries, studies, administration… They also decided to transfer the General Curia to Via Giulia in Rome.

Claretian International College

One of the decisions of the General Chapter of 1934 was the establishment of the International College of Rome that, in effect, opened its classes that same year in the facilities of Via Giulia, while looking for a better place. In 1937 it began to function in Albano until 1953, when it was moved to the famous “terzo piano” of the house of Parioli. In 1959 the “Claretianum” was inaugurated.

The Seriousness of the Events in Spain

The most important event of this period and what would mostly bring about the quick death of Fr. Maroto were the events of the Spanish civil war. The Congregation started to crimson with the blood of its martyrs in July 1936. Everything happened right after the national revolt of 18 July. All apostolic ministries were paralysed, 271 professed members died, Priests, Students and Brothers, in addition to many other material losses. At any rate, this painful loss would become the glory of the Congregation that could already count with numerous martyrs in its bosom. In that period the expeditions abroad stopped almost completely.

Repercussion in the missions

The consequences of the Spanish civil war soon started to be felt in the missions, especially in Equatorial Guinea and China, and in the sources of propaganda and financing in Spain. The magazine “El Misionero” was suspended, the funds of the “Pía Unión Misionera” (Missionary Mass Fund) were stolen, the Philatelic Circle of Cervera disappeared, etc. On this occasion Fr. Maroto appealed to the solidarity of everyone by means of the circular The Missions of the Congregation (1937).