Ever since I came to know Blessed Nazju Falzon, I have felt a holy presence accompanying me - one that has never left me alone. Whenever I find myself in difficulty, I turn to him, and his help never fails. I wish that many more people could experience this gentle holiness, and for this reason I cherish every opportunity to speak and write about him. Although only one verified miracle separates him from being declared a saint, to me he already embodies sainthood.

On Wednesday, 12 November, I once again had the opportunity to hear about him during the literary evening Muża Karkariża, held in the George Abela Hall at San Anton Palace in Attard, under the patronage of Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta. It was the vice-postulator, Fr Anton Farrugia Pisani OFM, who offered further insight into his life.

Although Blessed Nazju Falzon was born in Valletta in 1813, his family kept a summer residence on Triq San Ġiljan in Birkirkara, close to the filial church of Saint Roch. This large and stately two-storey house still stands today, beautifully marking the small junction where two narrow streets - Għar il-Ġobon and Triq San Ġiljan - meet. On its façade, to the right of the main doorway, a marble plaque proclaims that this was the home of "Nazju Falzon, Venerable Son of Malta". The plaque was installed in 1965 by Monsignor Provost Injazju Sciberras Psaila J.U.D., Domestic Prelate, together with Chev. Ġużè Dimech Debono O.S.J., on the centenary of the Blessed's death.

Nazju spent his summer months with his family in this Birkirkara home. The family was religious, affluent, intellectual, and influential. His father was Judge Dr Francesco Giuseppe Falzon, and his mother was Marija Tereża Debono. It was a family tradition to study law: Nazju and his three brothers all graduated in the field, although only Antonju practised as a lawyer and married. Kalċidon and Franġisku became priests, while Nazju chose to remain a cleric, feeling unworthy to ascend the holy altar and celebrate the sacred mysteries each day.

Though admired for the exemplary manner in which he lived, Nazju is remembered especially for his catechism teaching, both to Maltese children and to English soldiers and sailors. At a remarkably early stage, he recognised the importance that the English language would one day have. In an era when the Church and the Courts worked entirely in Italian, he taught himself English and so was able to reach the many soldiers and sailors passing through our islands. It is said that around 600 people converted through his guidance.

In the book Glorja tal-Kleru Malti, which recounts Nazju Falzon's life, several people from Birkirkara offer their testimonies.

Karmena Calleja stated that during the summer months, she saw him daily attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion with deep devotion in the parish church of Birkirkara.

The carpenter Ġanni Theuma spoke of Nazju's affection for workers and his insistence that they be paid fairly for their labour.

Roża Muscat testified to his boundless charity toward anyone in need. She said that each time he visited Birkirkara, he often gave generous sums of money to her and to others. She expressed the people's affection in these words: "In Birkirkara he had the reputation of being a Man of God, and after his death he was considered a saint. People believe in him deeply; for this reason, they so often ask for his images and turn to him. This reputation is found among everyone, rich and poor, educated or not. As for me, I consider him a saint."

Aware of the immense respect the people of Birkirkara held for him, Nazju tried his utmost not to draw attention to himself when he was in the area. Even so, builder Ġużeppi Costa testified: "When Nazju Falzon arrived in Birkirkara, I would see him step quickly down from the carriage with his eyes lowered so that we would not notice him. But we saw him anyway, and as he passed, out of reverence, we would fall silent."

In memory of Blessed Nazju Falzon, the Birkirkara Local Council named a street behind the Basilica after him and dedicated a public garden in the Ta' Paris area.

Anyone seeking further information or wishing to obtain holy images, books, or relics of Blessed Nazju Falzon may contact Fr Anton Farrugia Pisani at 7782 1622. A Facebook page dedicated to him is also available