38 Marquis Scicluna Street

Loyola House

38 Marquis Scicluna Street . Naxxar NXR 03 . Malta

Tel (+356) 21 410348 / 21 410349 / 21 424156 . Fax (+356) 21 413904

When I look back at these 50 years as a Jesuit in the Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, I feel amazed how quickly these years have passed, perhaps quicker than a flash of light!

If I were to list the main events in my life, as a Religious, I will never end. Thank God there were many spiritual, academicals and pastoral achievements. As a Jesuit Priest I worked in India for 20 years, in England for more than 25 years in two Parishes (Our Lady of Dolours in Hendon and in St.Columba in Gosport), in Canada (Toronto) and in Malta for many years. I worked in Schools, in Colleges, in Universities, in Parishes, in Orphanages, in Hospitals, in Slums, among the rich and the poor, the lepers and all sorts of people. At times I was well off and quite often I experienced poverty like the rest of the people around me.

I was born on the 11th.of August 1933 in a numerous family of 9 children from very exemplary parents; Paul and Josephine - God bless their souls - It is because of their good examples and solid education that God has entrusted me with the Priestly vocation to spread the good news to those I meet with in my life.

I started my education at the age of 5 years by attending a Government School. Having finished my primary education, I joined St. Aloysius College, a Jesuit School. It is at this time that I thought seriously about my future state of life. As a Catholic Action Member, I continued to confirm my decision to join the Jesuits.

I entered the Novitiate at Naxxar on the 14th. of January 1954. After three years I was chosen to go to India as a missionary. Here I studied Philosophy at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur (S. India). Then I went back to our Mission, Santal Parganas to teach in schools and in Colleges. At the same time I managed to study and obtained a degree in Hindi and in Santali - the two main languages - used in the Diocese where I worked as a Priest. Then I qualified as a Teacher, in Accounts and in Science. These were, needed not only to teach, but mostly to run schools.

In 1964 I began my Theological studies at St. Mary's College Kurseong in (N. India) and qualified in the subject. Soon after Theology I was appointed a Parish Priest and later on in other Parishes. God alone knows how many people were converted and were baptised and how many marriages were performed. I also qualified in homeopathy and this helped me to cure many people because these medicines are very cheap but effective.

In my last parish at Sohorgati, I fell sick and I was advised to come back to Malta. When I felt better I couldn't obtain a new visa to go back to India, so I had to think of a new job. I began teaching Science and Maths in a Junior Lyceum (a Secondary High School) for boys. Here I achieved other successes. Towards the end of my 64th year my health suffered a set back. I needed a serious operation and I had to resign from my job after 22 years teaching in the same School.

Now I am at Naxxar in a Jesuit home for the elderly and invalid Jesuits. Here I do not have any specific work, but I am fully occupied in counseling, saying Mass and hearing Confessions and give whatever help is needed.

Briefly this is the way I spent these 50years in the Society of Jesus.

I thank God for the vocation and the help He gave me throughout these years.

I thank my Parents and all the members of my family for the support and encouragement they have always given me.

I thank my Superiors and all the members of the Society of Jesus for helping me throughout these years to fulfill my dreams in all the stages in life everywhere.

I thank all my Benefactors and Friends for their generosity (financial and otherwise) without which my ministries would not have been achieved. I beg one more thing from God and all of you to pray for me to remain faithful till the end of my life in my Priestly Vocation.

Page maintained by Mary Withers.

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Last modified: 1st February 2004