Ubaldo was born on May 19, 1918, in Vimignano, a hamlet of the Municipality of Grizzanam, Italy, to Augusto and his 2nd wife, Antonietta Marchioni. His parents had a total of 4 children, but only Ubaldo and his sister Marta survived childbirth.
He was intelligent, full of will, obedient and respectful. In his youth he would alternate between attending elementary school and working in the fields.
Attracted at early age by parish life with influence by the parish priest, at 12 he entered the diocesan seminary of Borgo Capanne. At 17 he transferred to the Benedict XV regional seminary.
Italy joined World War II on June 10, 1940, aligning with Germany as an Axis power.
In the summer of 1942, Ubaldo was ordained a priest, and celebrated his 1st Mass the following day. He was quickly appointed assistant vicar to the archpriest of Monzuno, and was also entrusted with the care of a small parish in San Nicolò della Gugliara.
After Allied invasions in 1943, Italy surrendered and split into Axis-controlled northern regions, where him and his parish were located and the Allied-backed southern areas. It was a very difficult and delicate juncture, and the role of parish priests were extremely important, especially in defending the population from the arrogance of the Nazis, Fascists, and often partisans.
Several priests, including Ubaldo, met with Mario Musolesi, who was an Italian soldier and resistance leader, who had participated in the unsuccessful defense of Rome against the Germans. Together, they organized a consumer cooperative to help the poor and those in need.
In September of 1944, rumors began to circulate of a major roundup that the Nazis would carry out shortly. Not everyone believed it as bombings and military aircraft had stopped. Despite his fears, Ubaldo did not abandon his parish.
On the morning of September 29, the SS appeared and began blocking the roads. Residents passed through with Germans in pursuit and headed to the summit of Monte Sole for refuge. Despite his fears, Ubaldo did not abandon his parish or people. The SS criminalized the entire population for complicity with the partisans. The Nazis were notoriously anti-Catholic and the church was packed. He administered Communion and began to recite the Rosary. The Nazis broke down the door, and ordered everyone to the cemetery except Ubaldo. He was shot on the predella of the main altar. They devastated the church and set it on fire. The others, who joined the rest of the population at the cemetery, were all shot including women, children, and the elderly.
The Monte Sole massacre occurred in 115 locations, killing 955 by Nazi and Fascist forces as a planned annihilation operation against Catholics and Clergy.
Beatification was authorized on November 21, 2025, confirming his martyrdom.
For God’s Glory.
Cemetery –
Monte Sole –
