I am an admirer of the Salesian Congregation and the work they do at St Patrick's, the Oratory, Savio College in Dingli, Senglea, Osanna Pia Hostel and so much else. We form part of the same Sliema community, at least what remains of it. For my beloved parents it was either Mass at St Patrick's or the Ursulines. Daily.
One of St Patrick's main fund-raising activities is their Book Fair organised annually for the last 25 years by Fr Charles Cini SDB, instantly recognisable as one of the personalities of Sliema and possibly well known around the world as a former World Delegate for the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco.
I was recently invited by him to take a look at the newly setup Archives and see some of the work being done in connection with the world of books and the next Book Fair which is taking place from the 18th to the 24th May. Books will always remain of lasting interest to me.
So, one bright morning last week I walked down to St Patrick's School.
There was Fr Charles, larger than life, sitting in a well organised office, surrounded by books and paintings. He is a jolly Gozitan and is always warm and friendly, greeting you from across the room, or even the street.
He has dedicated his life to education and the culture of art and books, the ultimate aim being to raise funds for the many projects which the Salesians wish to accomplish.
He talks about the importance of books in people's lives and how he has spent time and effort encouraging people to read. Does he himself find the time to read considering he is involved in so many activities? "Yes, I read a book every two or three days. Sometimes, I simply browse through it for inspiration." Surely he doesn't read novels? "No, not novels! I read books hoping to give better sermons and good advice to those who seek it. Books which help me in my apostolate with the young."
But back to the Book Fair. Fr Charles collects books all year round. He examines each and every book and then they are sorted according to subject and category in cartons ready to be put out for the Book Fair. "Some time ago, I was checking a box of books someone had brought in and I came across an original copy of Gan Piet Frangisk De Soldanis. This is much sought after. I sold it in an auction," he smiles with an air of satisfaction.
His love of books doesn't start and finish with the Book Fair. He has been instrumental in printing several books about Malta and Gozo.
Fr Charles started selling books at Hosanna Pia, the house in Rudolph Street, where the Salesians provide residence for homeless young people.
He then moved to St Patrick's where he got the idea for a book fair to raise funds for the many projects which the Salesians have. There he eventually met Peter and Alaine Apap Bologna who had come to live in Sliema and in the same road as St Patrick's. "They were my mentors. They taught me so much about books and art. They organised several exhibitions at St Patrick's over the years and donated their proceeds to the Salesians." Sad to say Peter died a few months ago. No doubt Alaine will continue to give a hand.
But who started St Patrick's? One of Malta's greatest philanthropists of the last century, Sur Alfonse Maria Galea, who was not only instrumental in bringing the Salesians to Malta (and eventually to Tunisia) but also in providing land and funds to build and furnish several projects.
He was married to Elizabeth Asphar who is an aunt to Anne and Helen Caruana Galizia whose book on Maltese food is considered a bible for those interested in more than just good recipes.
In the field of Maltese literature Sur Fons was best known for the series of books which he edited along the years, between 1899 and 1915. These were Il-Mogħdija taż-Żmien. He also found the time to translate into Maltese, Manzoni's I Promessi Sposi.
Whatever the qualities of is-Sur Fons's capabilities, nothing will stand out so markedly as his brilliant conception of the foundation of St. Patrick's Salesian School and St, Alphonsus Salesian Oratory, for which he donated land and made sure that it was furnished properly.
The 150th anniversary since the foundation of The World Confederation of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco will be celebrated this year.
Don Bosco dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, an educational method that became worldly known as the Salesian Preventive System.
Soon a book is to be published about the history of the Salesians in Malta. Fr Joseph Bezzina, the Gozitan historian, has been working hard on it. "It will also be giving importance to the many Salesians who worked abroad. It was Father Patrick O'Grady who was first rector at St Patrick's. In fact, the school and church are named after his patron saint. He also founded the Salesians in another four countries," Fr Charles says.
Finally, Fr Charles leads me to the archives, next door. There isn't a single paper or book out of place. Almost everything is beautifully bound, dusted and stands on shelves like sentinel soldiers.
There is Don Bosco's life in 19 volumes in Italian and also in an English translation. "His letters run to nine volumes. "There are over three-and-a-half thousand letters. Some were picked up at auction sales. The Salesians are always on the lookout," Fr Charles comments.
He tells me he has had an ongoing friendship with Giulio Andreotti once Prime Minister of Italy and leader of the Christian Democrats. "There are many original letters from Andreotti to me," as Fr Charles points to some box files. "We often spoke on the telephone." He also kindly wrote the Preface for the book Roots of an island which is about Fr Charles' beloved Gozo.
"He used to tell me jokingly: 'Sei un furbo Gozitano.'"
The main star of all this is Sur Alfons Maria Galea, one of the greatest Maltese philantropists of all time (and a founder member of the Labour Party) who not only started the ball rolling by going up to Italy to speak to the Salesian Superiors and ask them to come and carry their mission in Malta (and later Tunisia). He also financed so many of the projects including St Patrick's, The Oratory, the Salesian Theatre, the Salesian Press and the massive building where the children live and learn. "His collection of books is here in the archives. The unique complete set of the Bollettino Salesiano initiated by Don Bosco in 1878 contains useful material for the writing of our history."
Don Bosco was very close to Pope Pius IX who played such an important role in the unification of Italy so books on Italian history can also be found on the shelves.
There are always many benefactors especially the Government of Malta. "We find it difficult to ask people for money for our projects so we raise funds in other ways. One of them is the Book Fair which is coming up in May. You will also find paintings to buy there. I purchase them in Italy and in Malta. Sometimes they are donated."
Having dedicated so much time and energy to education, books, art, fundraising and so on his hope is that this project of culture and art which he has started will not die with him but will continue.
It is indeed a worthy legacy to leave behind.
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