MARINI, ERCOLANO. – Theologian and archbishop, b. at Matelica on 21 Nov. 1866, d. at Rome on 16 Nov. 1950. Ordained a priest in 1889, he subsequently served as parish priest
at Terricoli (1892), provost of the Chapter of Matelica (1893), prior of the Chapter of Terni (1899), vicar general of Spoleto (1901), bishop of Norcia (1905–1915), and archbishop of Amalfi (1915–45). During his lengthy administration he devoted attention to the ascetical and liturgical formation of his clergy and people and greatly developed works of social assistance (Conferences of S. Vincenzo, nurseries, orphanages, among which the Pontifical Orphanage of Amalfi, founded for war orphans in 1919, is noteworthy).
A man of profound interior life, he nourished his piety through constant contemplation of the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, concerning which he published numerous ascetical-dogmatic works that greatly contributed to the rebirth of Christian spirituality with a Trinitarian orientation: Gli splendori del Credo nella luce della S.ma Trinità (3rd ed., Amalfi 1939; Spanish translation, Barcelona 1945); La S.ma Trinità e la vita cristiana (Amalfi 1939); La S.ma Trinità e la morte cristiana (ibid. 1939); La S.ma Trinità e il tempio cristiano (ibid. 1941); Candida Rosa: la S.ma Trinità in Maria, negli Angeli, nei Santi (Finalpia 1944); S. Giuseppe nelle irradiazioni della S.ma Trinità (Rome 1945); La S.ma Trinità nei Sacramenti della Chiesa (2nd ed., ibid. 1949); Dal culto dell'Eucaristia al culto della Trinità (unpublished), and many other booklets.
Having retired to Rome (1945), with the title of archbishop of Adana, he devoted himself to reprinting his works.
(1949), p. 504 (on M.’s theological method); anon., Mons. E. M., in L'Osservatore romano, 19 Nov. 1950, p. 2, cols. 5–6. G. Palatucci, Nel tricesimo di mons. E. M., ibid. 16 Dec. 1950, p. 1, cols. 1–2.