MAZZELLA, CAMILLO. - Jesuit, theologian, and cardinal, b. at Vitulano (Benevento) on 10 Feb. 1833, d. at Roma on 26 May 1900. He studied at the Seminary of Benevento directed by the Jesuits and, ordained priest in 1855, entered the Society of Jesus in 1857. He taught dogmatic and moral theology at Lyon (1860-67); he then continued the same teaching in the United States (Georgetown and Woodstock), whence in 1787 he was called by Leone XIII to the chair of theology at the Gregorian University in order to contribute to the revival of scholasticism. He was created cardinal in 1886 and consecrated bishop of Palestrina in 1897; he worked tirelessly in the Roman Congregations, especially those of Studies and Rites, of which he was prefect. He was a clear and prolific theologian, a worthy representative of the Neo-Thomist movement.
Among his publications may be recalled: De Deo creante (Roma 1880); De Religione et Ecclesia (there 1892); De Gratia Christi (there 1892); De virtutibus infusis (there 1894). Also to be remembered are: Risposta ad alcune questioni sopra il ritorno dei Greci scismatici alla Chiesa cattolica (there 1887) and the anonymous work: Rosminianarum propositionum... trutina theologica (there 1887).