From Dr R. Xerri

The five years I spent at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria between 1981 and 1986 were probably the best years of my life, and the most difficult. After chatting with my classmates, who graduated with me in 1986, they agreed with what I am about to say. The years at the Seminary were the best years of our youth; and we took full advantage of this time – debating everything from local politics to the latest development in space exploration and taking an active part in our academic life at the Seminary. It was also the time we learnt about the rough edges of life when the authorities attempted to deny us our fundamental right to education, just because we attended a Church school. The authorities were unsuccessful in denying us this right despite closing down the Seminary for some time.

Notwithstanding the closure of the Seminary, Fr. Caruana assured parents and students that lessons would continue in the houses, gardens and even basements of many people, places that will remain our secret for life. These families, individuals and especially our teachers’ led by Fr Charles Caruana, who was our rector at the time, risked so much for us. They not only passed on to us their courage and determination, they also taught us a life-long lesson – that of never giving in to evil and to support and nourish what is good.

Fr Caruana was our rector for most of the five years. He was a perfectionist, an exemplary Catholic, well disciplined and respected. These values that everyone could admire in Fr Caruana were passed on to most of us students and are now an integral part of our life. Whenever he walked the corridors of the Seminary, we students would stop what we were doing and looked at him with respect because he was very disciplined. We might not have appreciated this discipline at the time, but today we cannot imagine what would have become of our character without this skill. Thank you Fr Caruana for all the good you have done throughout your life, to us and to so many others.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Raymond C. Xerri

On behalf of the Class of 1986 of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Victoria, Gozo