Giovanni Battista Arista

Father Arista dedicated himself fully to the education of youth and the reorganization of the Oratory's activities. His reputation for holiness and wisdom grew rapidly. On March 6, 1901, received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIII, he humbly refused out of modesty the episcopal dignity that was proposed to him. However, on November 14, 1904, Pope Pius X appointed him titular bishop of Nyssa and auxiliary bishop of Acireale. He received episcopal consecration on November 30, 1904, at the hands of Bishop Genuardi. Upon the latter's death, Pope Pius X appointed him bishop of Acireale on November 4, 1907. He chose as his episcopal motto Omnia in caritate (Everything in charity). His episcopate was marked by exceptional pastoral dedication and active charity in the face of the numerous disasters that struck the region: he intervened during the floods of Torre Archirafi in 1907, went to the site to assist the victims of the Messina earthquake in 1908, assisted the population during the cholera epidemic in Randazzo in 1910, provided aid during the eruption of Mount Etna at Solicchiata in 1911, intervened during the Guardia-Mangano train collision in 1912, and supported the victims of the Linera earthquake in 1914. During the First World War, he deployed immense charitable activity to support soldiers and their families. At the same time, he worked actively with the Servant of God Giulio Castelli on the unification of the various Oratorian congregations of Italy within a common legal structure, thus laying the foundations for the future Confederation of the Oratory.

Afflicted by a painful illness which he endured with exemplary strength of soul and resignation, Bishop Arista died in the odor of sanctity on September 27, 1920, in Acireale. His body rests in the church of the Oratory of Acireale.

The bishop's reputation for holiness prompted the diocese to open his cause for beatification. The first session of the informative process regarding his reputation for holiness, his virtues, and his miracles opened on February 9, 1946.

On June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. The cause is currently underway, under the direction of the postulator of the Congregation of the Oratory of Acireale. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required. Each year, the Diocese of Acireale celebrates a day of prayer for his beatification (generally set for the third Sunday of Lent).

Bishop Arista has remained in local history as the "Bishop of the Oratory and the Eucharist." His spirituality was deeply rooted in Eucharistic contemplation, before which he spent long hours. Of his fourteen pastoral letters, three are entirely devoted to the Eucharist.

Faithful to the spirit of Saint Philip Neri, he considered the festive Oratory an essential work for the human and Christian education of young people, describing it as a "second family." His spiritual legacy continues through the Confederation of the Oratory and the educational works he supported in Sicily.