Which of us hasn't heard or indeed benefitted from the work of the Salesians? Who, worldwide, doesn't know of Don Bosco and Don Rua, and locally of the benefactor and philanthropist Alfons Maria Galea? A History of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Malta and Gozo by Mgr Dr Joseph Bezzina, former Head of Department of Church History at the University of Malta, was published this year. It is edited by Fr Charles Cini and printed at the Salesians Press.
Alfons Maria Galea, left, with Fr Patrick O’Grady
In the Foreword Fr Paul Formosa the Superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco writes: "This is a project that various members of the Salesian Family dreamt about for many years. Finally in time for the 120th anniversary of the formal establishment of the Salesians in Malta, we have this precious publication in our hands." He goes on to thank the collaborators who "for months on end, gathered historical evidence and analysed it in a context to reflect the richness and blessings of the Salesian presence on our islands."
In his Preface Fr Charles Cini, the Editor of this publication, writes that the publication of this book has been his dream since he was Provincial Delegate for the Salesians in Malta between the years 1982 to 1985 "to research and publish the history of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Malta and Gozo." Fr Charles goes on to write that: "This history defines part of our cultural and religious vision. It is important not to forget the hard work of the past Salesians who together with many lay people worked so tirelessly to build with inventiveness and creativity the reality which we treasure today."
The Rector Fr Patrick McLoughlin presenting a trophy on Sports Day
In his Introduction, the author whose opus magnus: The Gozo Cathedral - its history and treasures was launched in August 2017, tells us that by then he had already started the spadework on this publication for which the sources "proved to be plentiful and profuse. Charles Cini had started to systematize the Archives of the Salesians in Malta, based in St Patrick's, Tas-Sliema. He laboriously collected documents and papers both locally and abroad and, in the span of almost 40 years, he succeeded impressively. The Salesian Archives proved pivotal in the compilation of this publication."
The Foundations for the Salesian Oratory in Gozo
The book is divided into nine neat chapters each with ten sections. But let me quote the author: "Chapter I starts with an outline of the history of Malta with a special reference to Tas-Sliema and the early connections of Don Bosco with Malta. The long arduous path for the foundation of St Patrick's is outlined in Chapter 2, followed by its early history as well as that of the Oratory in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 chronicle the vicissitudes of both institutions up to the end of World War II. Chapter 6 describes the several other Salesian foundations in Malta as well as in Tunis. Chapter 7 sketches the work of the Salesians in Gozo, where, eventually, the FMA (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice), the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, also took root. Chapter 8 provides a picture of the improvements in the post-war years. In the concluding Chapter 9, I attempted to record the many achievements of the Salesian family in Malta up to present times."
The appointment of the Mother General Sister Ersilia Canta
It is thanks to their Bollettino Salesiano that the first direct contact with Don Bosco was made in person probably by Michelangelo-Maria Mizzi, a confidant of Pope Leo XIII who also served as a diplomat and was knighted.
Another early contact with the Salesians was made by Monsignor Isidoro Formosa de Fremaux... one of the first Salesian cooperators in Malta.
Salesian Family congress in Malta presided by Father Gaetano Scrivo, Vicar of the Rector Major
Prayer has always had a certain bargaining power: Caroline Naudi from Tas- Sliema sent Don Bosco "a substantial offering asking for his special prayers. Giorgia Sant Fournier also sent the saint a letter on 22 December 1887, "just five weeks before Don Bosco passed away... she decided to send him a donation. She also sought his prayers for a positive outcome of an imminent decision by the Courts in a family affair." I hope she was happy with the result and that the prayers were answered.
I have always been fascinated by Alfons-Maria Galea whose name is synonymous with generosity. His bust is in the grounds of St Patrick's and we know he was a great philanthropist who shared his success in the family textile business thus benefitting others. He was also the ancestor of personalities such as Joan Galea Naudi who was at school and a great outdoor girl. Alfons-Maria Galea was defined by the Salesian historian as "a Salesian cooperator cogitatione, verbo, et opera - in thought, word and deed.
Mother General Ida Grasso and community in Dwejra, 1980.
Alfons's parents, his father was one of the owners of a flourishing textile family business in Valletta, had lost three daughters in their infancy before Alfons was born. At the age of eight his father sent him and a younger brother as boarders at the Gozo Seminary, then run by Sicilian Jesuits. "Here Alfons met the Jesuit Enrico Scio, the Seminary Minister, who slowly became his lifelong counsellor... Don Enrico remained the mentor, spiritual director, and confessor of Alfons until his death... According to Elizabeth, wife of Alfons: "Padre Scio played a major role behind the scenes in directing him in the main decisions of his life." Later on Alfons was to meet another mentor: Frère Giuseppe Emiliani, at the Collège des Frères in Marseille, where their father sent his two sons to learn French. One day Frère Emiliani took Alfons to see the Salesian Oratory in Marseille. Alfons admitted later that: "I was so impressed by all I saw there that from that day on my one desire was to see the Salesians in Malta." He attributed his love towards the Salesians to Frère Emiliani with whom he remained a friend until the latter's death in 1931.
Rector Major Don Pascual Chavez official visit to the Salesian Sisters in Gozo
This is a well-documented and well-written book which will interest not only those who benefitted from the work of Salesian priests and nuns but who also were close to them in one way or another. Many of those who live in Sliema would enjoy reading the story behind the building which is probably the largest in Sliema. I now look at it with new eyes having read what and who were behind it's creation.
I love reading and meeting Good people. They fill me with hope in a world which becomes less tender and kind every day. Then there are the memories. Fr McLoughlin passed through our street, almost daily. If we were playing outside we would rush up to him, go on one knee, say: "Bless me Father... could I have a holy picture please?" He seemed to have an endless supply of them and always gave us his Irish smile with it.
Salesian Oratory, Sliema
One of the flats where I live was left to the Salesians and there are three of themliving there at any one time. I hope they pray for us. And how can we forget Sister Theresa Curmi who was Tas-Sliema Community Superior, and Sister Georgina Grech, Superior in Gozo who has now moved to Naples?
The old entrance of St Patrick's School
The Salesians work mostly with the young for their material and spiritual well-being. This book is a tribute to those who lived and worked in the past for the good of others and an encouragement for all of us to contribute in our own small way to this great work which Don Bosco started all those years ago.