Canon Joseph Caruana a humble priest who was close to the sick and poor and worked for the good of the people of Vittoriosa.

Rev. Joseph Caruana passed away at the house of the clergy in Birkirkara at the age of 83 on 31st January. He was born in Vittoriosa on 21st January 1933 to Michael Caruana and Maria Carmela née Galea. As a child he learnt Catechism at The Society of Christian Doctrine run by Saint George Preca, which helped many pursue priestly and religious vocations. Father Joseph learnt from the teachings of St George Preca and he remained in this society until he grew up and became a full member. He studied at the Seminary and at the University of Malta, from where he obtained his Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained priest on 14th March 1959. At the start of his priesthood, he began helping the archpriest of Vittoriosa with his pastoral work. He took care of two groups of men and women of the Christian youth workers movement for many years. Up to the end of his life, he was the ecclesiastical assistant of the Women's movement of Catholic Action and for many years he was director of the Altar Boys. On 12th December 1959, he was appointed vice parish priest and dedicated a lot of his time to the sick with great patience and compassion. On 2nd August 1964, he became Canon of the Collegiate of Vittoriosa and Canon Theologian of the same Collegiate on 20th June 1965.

I would like to say something about this priest who played a big part in my life. I have many beautiful memories of him and must say that he baptized me in 1961. I remember seeing him in his cassock distributing Holy Communion to the sick, often two or three times a day. Once, when I was a small boy, he asked me to go with him to give communion to a senior priest who was ill. He did this with great devotion. Canon Joseph Caruana spent a lot of time praying in church and always welcomed those who needed confession even at night time. But what he was mainly known for was his charity to the poor. Irrespective of whom it was, if someone asked for money, he put his hands in his pocket and give them what he had.

The people of Vittoriosa have lost a very holy man. As one priest said, “he was a humble man who always worked tirelessly till the end to make Jesus known’. He was always one of the first in the Apse alongside his fellow canons for the liturgy of the hours. I will always remember that he would clothe Saint Lawrence during his feast in Vittoriosa. He had a great devotion for Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint Lawrence.

His funeral was held on 1st Februaryat 3.30pm. The funeral cortege passed through several Vittoriosa streets leading to the parish church where Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and many other priests. The homily was delivered by Archpriest of Vittoriosa Can. Joseph Mizzi. The burial took place in the crypt of the chapel of Saint Lawrence in Vittoriosa.

Lord Jesus grant him eternal rest and send us holy priests who will guide us on the road to holiness.

Fr Hermann Duncan O.Carm
Sliema