Azelio Manzetti

Azelio Giuseppe Maria Manzetti de Fort (; 28 February 1928 – 5 July 2013) was an Italian priest who was served as the Chief Chaplain of the Military Corps of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, as well as Chief Chaplain Grand Cross ad honorem of the Grand Priory of Rome.

Life and works

Manzetti was born in Rome into a very devout Catholic family, who were impoverished Italian nobility. He studied at the Pontifical Urban University from 1943–1949.

In 1953, at the age of 24 years, he became a professed priest of the Opera of Don Calabria in Verona. From the outset, he visited many cities in Italy and took charge of the spiritual formation of young people. In 1959, he was called to Rome by Luigi Cardinal Traglia, who appointed him assistant pastor of the Parish of St. Cyprian and, at the same time, assigned him to work at the Curia of the Vicariate of Rome. In 1968, he was appointed secretary and master of ceremonies of the Cardinal Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, Angelo Cardinal Dell'Acqua. He also served as Chaplain of the Corps of Papal Noble Cuards. When Paul VI abolished the Corps of Papal Noble Guards in 1970, Mons. Azelio Manzetti was its Corps Chaplain. In 1972, he directed the liturgical Office of the Vicariate. He was also appointed by the Diocese of Rome to organize activities for the Holy Year in 1975. In July 1977, he joined the Order of Malta. He also provided ongoing spiritual care for the Hospital of St. John the Baptist in Rome, to which he dedicated his entire life. Monsignor Manzetti was present at the laying of the foundation stone of this Hospital, and since then has always enthusiastically supported the Hospital.

Award