MARINI, ERCOLANO. - Theologian and archbishop, b. at Matelica on 21 Nov. 1866, d. at Rome on 16 Nov. 1950. Ordained priest in 1889, he successively 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 long tenure he fostered the ascetical and liturgical formation of his clergy and people and promoted extensive works of social assistance (Conferences of St Vincent de Paul, day nurseries, orphanages, including the noteworthy Pontifical Orphanage of Amalfi, founded in 1919 for war orphans).
A man of profound interior life, he nourished his piety through constant contemplation of the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, on which he published numerous ascetical-dogmatic works that greatly contributed to the revival of Trinitarian spirituality: Gli splendori del Credo nella luce della S.ma Trinità (3rd ed., Amalfi 1939; Spanish trans., 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 (FINALIA 1944); S. Giuseppe nella irradiazioni della S.ma Trinità (ROMA 1945); La S.ma Trinità nei Sacramenti della Chiesa (2nd ed., IV 1949); Dal culto dell'Eucaristia al culto della Trinità (unpublished), and many other pamphlets.
Retiring to Rome in 1945 with the title of archbishop of Adana, he devoted himself to reprinting his works.
