Category: I remember
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Fortunato Mizzi
Mgr. Forunato Mizzi (1927-2017) was named after his grandfather, one of the founders of the Nationalist Party. He was the only son of Enrico Mizzi, who died in harness as Prime Minister of Malta. He once told me his father called him ‘un sacerdote perfetto’ (a perfect priest) as he never spoke when he should…
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Geraldu Azzopardi
Geraldu (1910-1993) was a stalwart of the Maltese Labour Movement. Retired dockyard worker, active member of the General Workers Union (GWU), he wrote books about, among others, Dimech. He co-founded the Għaqda Maltija Sovjetika In the 70’s he urged government to erect the Manwel Dimech and 7th June monuments. We met at the suggestion of…
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Francis Xavier Schembri
My first meeting with Father Schembri (1924-2023) took place on 22nd May 1975 in Birzebbuga. We were introduced to each other by Fr. Joe Carabott, the then parish priest of Marsascala. Our first conversation took place on 27th May 1975 at our temporal residence, 64 St. Joseph Street Marsascala. Fr Schembri informed me about the…
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Two trumpets for St. Andrew
During my stays in Malta I naturally encountered not only Maltese people, but also other permanent or temporary residents of the island. Some of them were diplomats. I remember an ambassador of the United States, who invited me several times to his residence somewhere in the neighbourhood of Sadi, if I remember correctly. A few…
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Santa Marija in Malta
August 15th is a public holiday in Malta: the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. In several parishes where Mary is the patron saint, it also marks the annual festa, celebrated with great enthusiasm. After being introduced to the festa phenomenon in Malta, I became a huge festa enthusiast. I have lost count, but I…
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Anton Cassar
When I first met him Mr. Cassar (1924-2014) was head of the Union Press (since 1962) He told me he started his journalistic career at the Times of Malta. In 1960 he became parliamentary reporter and editor of l-Orizzont. Our first conversation took place at his office at the headquarters of the General Workers’ Union,…
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Chat with Pope John Paul II
Elsewhere I posted how, through the amicable intervention of Pronuncio Mgr. Cassidy, Laurence Grech and Dr. Guido de Marco, I was able to present my books to Pope John Paul II at a public audience in Rome. The audience took place at a packed St. Peter’s Square. I was positioned, with a few other people,…
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Guido de Marco
Dr. Guido de Marxo B.A., LL,D (1931-2010) was a Nationalist Member of Parliament and Secretary General of the Nationalist Party when we first met at the Speakers’ Chambers on 10th July 1973 during a session of the House of Representatives. ‘I am an MP since 1966. My background is working class. This influenced my thinking.…
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Joe Micallef Stafrace
In 1973 Dr. Joe Micallef Stafrace (1933-2021) B.A., LLD was a Member of Parliament for the Malta Labour Party. In October 1971 he had resigned as Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism. Our first meeting took place at the Law Courts, Valletta, on 14th July 1973. ‘In December 1955 Dr. Flores, the Speaker of the…
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Laurence Grech
I have just been informed of the death of Laurence Grech (1948-2026), a lifetime friend ever since we first met at Strickland House in 1973. Laurence always took a great interest in my academic work on Church and tate in Malta. He often give me valuable advice and invited me several times to write contributions…