Minn Idejn l-Artist

Du n Ì orÌ Preca:

Publikazzjoni Librerija Preca 2007

superjur Ìenerali

Prezentazzjoni

L-arti hija espressjoni. Taf tkun espressjoni ta’ messa©© imma fuq kollox taf tesprimi xi jkun g˙addej minn qalb l-artist – l-ispirtu tieg˙u. La hija espressjoni, l-arti allura “titkellem”. U titkellem b’qawwa tal-g˙a©eb g˙ax hija ‘l fuq minn kull barriera li taf tin˙oloq mil-lingwi u l-forom l-o˙ra ta’ espressjoni. G˙alhekk kapaçi tmiss kull intellett u kull qalb u ti©©enera ˙sibijiet kif ukoll tibdel attitudnijiet.

F’g˙eluq il-mitt sena tag˙ha, li providenzjalment qieg˙da ti©i ççelebrata fl-istess sena tal-kanonizzazzjoni talFundatur tag˙ha Dun Ìor© Preca, is-Soçjetà tag˙na riedet tag˙ti opportunità lill-artisti Maltin u dawk residenti f’Malta biex jesprimu l-ispirtu tag˙hom dwarha u dwar San Ìor©. B˙al ˙afna nies li messew mal-MUSEUM, dawn l-artisti Ωgur li kapaçi jag˙rfu fihom dak li din is-Soçjetà kif ukoll il-fundatur tag˙ha nis©u u na©ru. G˙ax il-MUSEUM u Dun Ìor© hekk huma, strumenti f’idejn Alla g˙all-formazzjoni tal-persuni. L-influewenza tag˙hom f’Malta tal-lum Ωgur li tmiss ukoll il-qalb u l-˙ila ta’ l-artisti ta’ Ωmienna.

Nag˙laq bill nirringrazzja lil kulmin ipparteçipa f’din il-wirja u jalla l-opri artistiçi ji©©eneraw ˙sibijiet ta’ konverzjoni f’kull min jarahom. Din il-wirja g˙andha sservi wkoll biex Alla tag˙na li jxerred it-talenti tieg˙u fuq min irid hu, jie˙u glorja u biex, kif inhu l-motto tag˙na b˙ala Soçjetà g˙al din is-sena çentinarja, Ìesù jkompli ji©i mag˙ruf u ma˙bub.

Victor Delicata Superjur Ìenerali

Superior General

Presentation

Art is an expression that can get a message across. Above all it can express the innermost feelings of an artist, his/ her soul. Therefore art “speaks”, and it speaks in a marvellous way for it can transcend every barrier that language or other forms of expression can create. So art can touch every intellect and every heart and can generate thoughts and recreate attitudes.

On the occasion of the centenary of our M.U.S.E.U.M. Society, which providentially is being celebrated in the same year of the canonisation of our Founder, St George Preca (1880-1962), we wanted to offer all Maltese and foreign artists residing in Malta the opportunity of expressing their artistic talents about the Society of Christian Doctrine and about St George Preca. Like many other people who have a personal experience of M.U.S.E.U.M., these artists can decipher in themselves what both the Society and the Founder have weaved and carved within them. This is what the Society of Christian Doctrine and Fr Preca are for: instruments in God’s hands for the formation of humankind. Their influence in contemporary Malta touches also the hearts and talents of today’s artists.

I conclude by taking this opportunity to thank all those who participated in this exhibition. May God grant that these works of art generate in those who see them thoughts of renewal and conversion. May God continue to fill the artists themselves with his grace so that through their artistic ability God is glorified so that, in line with the centenary motto, Christ may continue to be known and loved.

Victor Delicata, Superior General

Louis Sal iba

Dun Gorg: Il-Bniedem, il-Vizjoni G˙alkemm imwieled fl-1880 u waqqaf is-Soçjetà fl-1907, wie˙ed jista’ jg˙id li ©ie qabel Ωmienu, kwaΩi kwaΩi postmodern. Huwa pprattika u g˙allem il-manswetudni, u kien kontra kull vjolenza. Huwa g˙araf li l-katekiΩmu ma kienx qieg˙ed jigi ppreΩentat sew. G˙alhekk ˙abrek favur il-qari u l-meditaΩΩjoni tal-Bibbja kuljum, kemm mittfal kif ukoll mill-kbar. Il-katekiΩmu ta’ Gasparri kellu jwassal g˙all-van©elu, mhux je˙odlu postu. Óafna qabel il-Konçilju Vatikan II, Malta kienet ©a minn ta’ quddiem biex tag˙ti lill-Bibbja l-post li tassew jixirqilha. Minbarra Ωewg kitbiet biss, is-saçerdot qaddis kiteb ix-xog˙ol reli©juΩ tieg˙u kollu bil-Malti.

Kien jixbah lil San Filippu Neri (1515-95) u fuqu fassal ˙afna min ˙ajtu. Il-konfessur tieg˙u, Dun Alwig Galea, kellmu f’˙olma u qallu, “Alla g˙aΩlek biex tg˙allimlu l-poplu tieg˙u.” Dakinhar li ©ie ordnat sud-djaknu sema’ le˙en jg˙idlu, “Illum g˙arrastek mal-Knisja tieg˙i.” Hu stess kien isemmi viΩjoni stupenda li kellu fl-1910 tul Triq is-Salib tal-Marsa: tfajjel ji©bed karretta mg˙obbija b’qoffa demel. “Ag˙tini l-g˙ajnuna!” qallu t-tifel b’ton ta’ kmand.

Huwa g˙amel kif ordnalu t-tifel u l-Mulej g˙enu biex jinterpreta l-viΩjoni — it-tfajjel kien Ìesù, il-karretta u l-qoffa kien jirrapreΩentaw “is-Soçjetà tag˙na.”

Hu u s-Soçjetà tieg˙u g˙addew minn bosta provi u tribulaΩΩjoniiet sakemm is-Soçjetà kienet approvata uffiçjalment mill-Knisja fl-1932. Huwa kiteb katekiΩmi bil-Malti, ittraduça mill-Van©eli u mill-Ittri ta’ l-Appostli, u kiteb kotba fuq il-˙ajja spiritwali. Huwa ppriedka l-intenΩjoni retta, l-umiltà. Il-manswetudni u l-˙tiega tat-talb. Ried li l-membri kollha tas-Soçjetà tieg˙u jilbsu badges bil-kliem Verbum Dei caro factum est — id-devoΩΩjoni tieg˙u lejn dan il-kliem, u lejn dak li jfisser, kienet tassew kbira. Huwa nissel spirtu ta’ gratitudni lejn Ìesù Kristu li sar bniedem g˙alina. Fl-1921, f’lejliet il-Milied, huwa organiΩΩa manifestaΩΩjoni bil-Bambin fit-toroq tal-Óamrun, bit-tfal jakkompanjaw bil-fanali u jkantaw Adeste Fidelis. Din kellha tikber f’wa˙da mill-iktar drawwiet attraenti tal-Milied fil-GΩejjer Maltin.

Kellu devoΩΩjoni kbira lejn it-Trinità Qaddisa u lejn Marija Omm Alla, speçjalment lejn il-Madonna tal-Karmnu u l-Medalja MirakoluΩa — Il-Kappella ma©enb id-Dar Ìenerali tas-Soçjetà hi xhieda ta’ dan.

Louis Sal iba

Fr George: the Man, the Vision He was, though born in 1880 and had founded the society in 1907, ahead of his times, sounding nearly ‘postmodern’. He practiced and taught meekness – ‘manswetudni’, non-violence. He perceived that the catechism was being presented in an inadequate way. Thus he promoted the daily reading and meditation of the Bible for both children and adults. Gasparri’s catechism was to lead to the gospel, not replace it. Long before Vatican II, Malta had already advanced very far in giving the Bible its well-deserved place. The saintly priest wrote his religious work, except two pieces, in Maltese.

He had a likeness to St Philip Neri (1515–95) on whom he modelled much of his life. In a dream a saintly priest (his confessor, Fr Louis Galea) said to him, ‘God has chosen you to teach his people’. The day he was ordained subdeacon he heard a voice telling him, ‘Today I have engaged you to my Church’. He himself spoke of a ‘stupendous vision’ he experienced, in 1910, along Marsa Cross Road: a boy pulling a cart loaded with a basket of manure. ‘Help me!’ the lad cried out in an authoritative voice. Fr George did as bid and God helped him to interpret the vision – the child was Jesus Christ, the cart and basket represented ‘our Society’.

He and the Society, passed through many trials and tribulations until the Society was officially approved by the Church in 1932. He wrote catechisms in Maltese, translated from the Gospels and from the Letters of the Apostles, wrote books on the spiritual life. He preached right intention, humility, meekness, the need for prayer. He wished all members to wear badges with the words Verbum Dei Caro factum est – his devotion to these words and what they meant was intense. He fostered the spirit of gratitude for Christ who became man for our sake. In 1921 he organized a manifestation with the statuette of baby Jesus on Christmas Eve in }amrun, with children singing ‘Adeste Fidelis’ and accompanied by lanterns. It was to become one of the most attractive Christmas customs of the Maltese Islands.

He was devoted to the Holy Trinity and to Mary Mother of God, especially our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Miraculous Medal – the Chapel next to the Society’s Mother House is living proof of this.

Is-Soçjetà L-isem tas-Soçjetà hu ‘Is-Soçjetà tad-Duttrina Nisranija’ (S.D.C.), popolarment mag˙rufa b˙ala M.U.S.E.U.M. (membri tal-MuΩew). L-idea ta’ dan l-isem kienet ta’ Salvu Muscat, wie˙ed mill-Membri tal-bidu, imma s-saçerdot qaddis taha tifsira ©dida — Magister Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus (Mg˙allem Divin jalla d-dinja kollha timxi fuq l-Evan©elju tieg˙ek). Aktar tard il-kelma saret il-motto g˙all-evan©eliΩΩaΩΩjoni universali.

Is-Soçjetà g˙andha taqsimiet separati g˙all-irgiel u n-nisa b’madwar 92 çentru f’Malta u G˙awdex. IΩ-Ωew© taqsimiet g˙andhom iç-çentri tag˙hom bi klassijiet g˙al kull età. Il-˙idma kateketika fil-parroççi g˙adha l-ewwel prijorità. Wara l-katekeΩi mat-tfal il-membri jingabru g˙al sieg˙a ta’ formaΩΩjoni reli©juΩa u talb flimkien. IsSoçjetà ˙ar©et g˙all-pubbliku madwar 43 mill-150 ktieb u librett miktuba mill-Fundatur. Hija wkoll responsabbli mit-tmexxija tal-Librerija Preca, ˙anut li jbig˙ kotba b’ispiraΩΩjoni reli©juΩa. Is-Soçjetà tie˙u ˙sieb il-Kappella dedikata lill-Madonna tal-Midalja MirakoluΩa. “Dar il-Óanin Samaritan” hija çentru ta’ rtiri spiritwali kemm g˙all-membri kif ukoll g˙al dawk li m’humiex. Parti minn din id-Dar isservi wkoll b˙ala residenΩa g˙al numru ta’ Membri anΩjani tas-Soçjetà.

“Morru fid-dinja kollha. xandru l-Bxara t-Tajba lill-˙lejjaq kollha.” (Mk 16.15) G˙all-kliem ta’ Kristu li l-˙sad hu kbir imma l-˙addiema huma ftit — kliem imtenni mill-qaddis, “ftit hawn min jg˙allem”, is-Soçjetà xirfet ’il barra minn xtutna. L-Awstralja kienet l-ewwel pro©ett li rnexxa. Illum is-Soçjetà g˙andha çenti fis-Sudan (Khartoum), Kenya (Ruiru), ir-Renju Unit (Londra), l-Albanija (Korçë), u l-Perù (Lurin). Fl-Albanija s-Soçjetà tmexxi Skola Medja, waqt li fil-Kenya tmexxi Kulle©© ta’ Ta˙rig VokaΩΩjonali.

Ilkoll imsejÓin gÓall-qdusija L-g˙an professat tal-MUSEUM hu li l-membri kollha j˙abirku biex jitqaddsu billi jitg˙allmu ˙alli jg˙allmu lil o˙rajn. Dan il-mod ta’ g˙ajxien huwa bbaΩat fuq ir-Regola miktuba mill-qaddis innifsu u m©edda mill-Kapitlu Ìenerali. L-imitaΩΩjoni ta’ Kristu Msallab, il-manswetudni u l-umiltà huma l-istrumenti ewlenin g˙al dan il-g˙an.

Il-Memberi ma ji˙dux voti permanenti, imma jibqg˙u çelibi.

Ix-XogÓlijiet (In-numri fil-Parentesi ( ) jirreferu g˙an-numri fil-katalgu) F’jum ta’ xita kontinwa, fit-3 ta’ Ìunju 2007, il-Papa Benedittu XVI ikkanonizza lill-Beatu Ìorg Preca, Fundatur tas-Soçjetà tad-Duttrina Nisranija (36).

The Society Its name is the Society of Christian Doctrine (SDC), popularly known as M.U.S.E.U.M. (Membri tal-MuΩew). This was the brainchild of a certain Salvu Muscat, an early member, but the saintly priest gave it new significance – ‘Magister Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus’ (Divine Teacher, may the whole world follow the Gospel). Later on, the word became a motto for universal evangelization.

The Society has some 92 centres in Malta and Gozo and separate sections for males and females. Both sections have their own centres, catering for all ages. Catechetical work in the parishes is still a main priority. Teaching sessions over, Members and candidates gather together for an hour of religious formation and prayer. The Society has made available to the public some 43 out of the 150 books and/or pamphlets the founder had written and is responsible too, for the running of Preca Library, a bookshop selling literature of Christian inspiration. It takes care of the chapel dedicated to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. “Dar }anin Samaritan” is a house of spiritual retreats for members and non-members, serving also as residence for a small number of elderly SDC Members.

‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation’ Mk 16:15. Mindful of Christ’s words that the harvest is great but the labourers are few (words echoed by the Saint teachers are scarce), the Society has an overseas dimension. Australia, was the first successful venture. Today, centres are found in Sudan (Khartoum), Kenya (Ruiru), UK (London), Albania (Korçë) Peru’ (Lurin). In Albania, the Society runs a Middle School, while in Kenya the Society runs a Vocational Training College.

We are all called to holiness The professed aim of MUSEUM is that all members shall strive to be saints by learning to teach others. This life is based on the Rule of Life (Regula) written down by the Saint himself and renewed by the General Chapter.

The imitation of Christ Crucified, meekness (manswetudni) and humility are key aspects of the SDC Spirituality.

Members take no permanent vows but remain celibate.

The Works Numbers in brackets ( ) refer to the work of art in the catalogue On a day of continuous rain, on June 3rd 2007, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Blessed Dun {or[ Preca, Founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine (36).

Xog˙lijiet artistiçi tal-qaddis huma hawn rappreΩentati tajjeb (4, 25, 30) b˙alma huma wkoll episodji minn ˙ajtu (15, 24, 48). Il-‘viΩjoni stupenda’ ta’ l-1910 (6); id-devoΩΩjoni tieg˙u lejn it-Trinità Qaddisa (18, 43); il-meditazzjoni kontinwa tieg˙u fuq il-Kurçifiss — ‘Il-Ktieb il-Kbir’ (8, 11, 19, 40) jidhru lkoll f‘din l-esebizzjoni. Insibu wkoll ix-xewqa ta’ Dun Ìor© li jg˙ix ˙ajja umli u mansweta (44). Wie˙ed jista’ jilma˙ ukoll id-devozzjoni tieg˙u lejn il-Misteru ta’ l-InkarnaΩΩjoni (31, 34, 41) Ûewg ikoni, uçu˙ statiçi b’g˙ajnejn tassew kbar u prominenti, huma xbihat li jnisslu qima (32, 33). Fix-xog˙olijiet (26, 28) jidwi l-eku tal-bidla tal-kelma MUSEUM li l-qaddis qaleb f’akronimu, bix-xewqa l-kbira li kellu f’qalbu g˙all-evan©elizzazzjoni (1, 21, 45).

It-tieni misteru tar-RuΩarju ‘tad-Dawl’ jikkontempla lil Kristu juri l-kobor tieg˙u fit-Tieg ta’ Kana (46). Ir-rabta bejn dan il-misteru u Dun Ìorg qieg˙da fil-fatt li fil-ktieb tieg˙u ‘Ir-RuΩarju ta’ Marija’ il-qaddis antiçipa, b’xebh kwaΩi identiku, il-Óames Misteri tad-Dawl imsemmija mill-Papa Ìwanni Pawlu II fl-Ittra Apostolika tieg˙u, ‘Rosarium Virginis Mariæ’, ma˙ruga fis-sena 2002.

Pittura astratta (9) turi faxxi dritti (it-triq it-tajba) li fuqhom jirkbu bla hedu, dijagonalment, linji mg˙awgin (il-gibdiet tal-bniedem lejn il-˙aΩen u t-tentaΩΩjonijiet mill-˙aΩen innifsu). Óidma ta’ fejda hija xi drabi ma˙nuqa minn awtoritajiet og˙la, imqar jekk dawn ikollhom intenΩjonijiet tajba (47). Il-Fundatur innifsu g˙adda minn esperjenza b˙al din, imma l-fidi u t-tama jnisslu l-kura©©.

Il-fundatur tas-Soçjetà kellu m˙abba speçjali lejn il-Madonna. “… g˙andna l-Imqaddsa Vergni Marija dejjem lesta biex tinterçierdi g˙alina quddiem Alla,” kien sikwit jirrepeti. Kellu devoΩΩjoni speçjali lejn il-Madonna ta˙t titli differenti — Il-Madonna tal-Bon Kunsill, il-Madonna tal-Karmnu u l-Madonna tal-Medalja MirakoluΩa. Din il-wirja hija wkoll interpretaΩΩjoni artistika ta’ din id-devoΩΩjoni (3, 10, 14).

“Nie˙du l-qawwa mill-verità li Ω-Ωerrieg˙a ©©ib il-frott…” (Dun Ìorg, Unjoni Museumina) (37). Din irriflessjoni, u x-xewqa ta’ Kristu li n-nar jaqbad u jixtered, jidher li kienet l-ispirazzjoni wara x-xog˙ol (12). Din il-kompoΩiΩΩjoni astratta tikkonsisti f’kaxxi tas-sulfarini imqeg˙din, kollha minbarra wa˙da, f’poΩiΩΩjoni wieqfa.

Kaxxi o˙ra biΩ-Ωerrieg˙a jidhru m˙axknin bejniethom. Din tirrapreΩenta s-Soçjetà u l-˙idma tag˙ha. Imma, b˙al dak kollu li hu uman, m’hix perfetta — kaxxa minnhom hi maqluba wiççha ’l isfel.

L-iskultura (17) tie˙u lura lejn Mosè u ’l quddiem lejn Kristu — it-Torah il-qadima u t-Torah il-©dida, id-Diskors tal-Muntanja. Hija tiççelebra t-twelid ta’ Kristu, li g˙andu sehem hekk importanti fl-ispiritwalità tal-qaddis. IlviΩjoni tas-Salib tal-Marsa, li hija t-tema ta’ bosta xog˙lijiet ta’ skultura, fejn ting˙ata dimensjoni o˙ra (42) li turi lil-Kristu u lill-fundatur kif ukoll membri tas-Soçjetà jimbuttaw il-karretta g˙at-telg˙a lejn is-salib fil-quççata.

“Intom kontu mieg˙i,” kien sikwit ifakkar Dun Ìorg lill-membri tas-Soçietà. “Ejjew warajja u nag˙milkom

Portraits of the saint are well represented here (4, 25, 30) as are episodes in his life (15, 24, 48). The ‘stupendous vision’ of 1910 (6); his devotion to the Holy Trinity (18, 43) and his constant meditation on the crucifix – ‘Il-Ktieb il-Kbir’ (8, 11, 19, 40) are seen in this exhibition. One can also see Fr George’s desire to live a humble and meek life (44). His devotion to the mystery of the Incarnation can also be glimpsed (31, 34, 41). Two icons (32, 33) – static, frontal faces with exaggerated prominent eyes are cult images. Work (26, 28) echoes the saint’s turning of the word “MUSEUM” into an acronym, underlining his desire for evangelization (1, 21, 45).

The Rosary’s second ‘luminous mystery’ contemplates Christ’s self-manifestation at Cana (46). The connection between this mystery and Dun {or[ lies in the fact that in his written work; ‘Ir-Ru\arju ta’ Marija’, the saint anticipated to a remarkable degree the five mysteries mentioned by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, ‘Rosarium Virginis Mariae’ dated 2002.

An abstract pointing (9) has straight bands (the right way) constantly overlapped by curving diagonals (man’s inclination to evil and temptations by evil itself). Good work is at times thwarted by higher authorities (47), however well-intentioned these might be – as the founder himself experienced. But faith and hope inspire courage.

The founder of the Society had a special devotion to our Lady “…we have the Blessed Virgin Mary who is always ready to intercede for us with God”, he used to repeat. He had a special devotion to our Lady of Good Counsel, our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Miraculous Medal. This exhibition is also an artistic interpretation of such devotion (3, 10, 14).

“Nie]du l-qawwa mill-verità li \-\errieg]a [[ib il-frott... (37) (Dun {or[, Unjoni Museumina). This reflection, and Christ’s wish that his fire would burn and spread, must have been the inspiration behind work (12). This abstract composition consists of safety matches boxes all placed in upright position except one. Boxes of seeds lie wedged between them. This represents the Society and its work. But, like everything human, it is imperfect – one box lies upside down.

Sculpture (17) reaches back to Moses and forward to Jesus, the old Torah and the new Torah – the Sermon on the mount. It celebrates the birth of Christ, deeply rooted in the saint’s spirituality. The frequent depiction of the Marsa Cross vision is given added dimension in (42) which depicts Christ and the founder plus Members of the Society pushing the cart uphill, spiraling towards the cross. “Intom kontu mieg]i” was a frequent reminder of Dun {or[ to the SDC members. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). This is what Dun {or[ became(16), writing books and pamphlets and gathering children for religious instruction, the bell summoning, an event held still by the Society. Ag]atini l-G]ajnuna (38) and Imbotta mieg]i (13) are examples of the Marsa Cross

sajjieda tan-nies.” (Mt 4,19) Hekk kien sar Dun Ìorg (16), jistampa kotba u fuljetti, u bid-daqq tal-qanpiena, ji©bor it-tfal g˙at-tag˙lim religjuΩ, prattika li nΩammet mis-Soçjetà sal-lum. ‘Ag˙tini l-g˙ajnuna’ (38) u ‘Imbotta mieg˙i’ (13) huma eΩempji o˙ra tal-viΩjoni tas-Salib tal-Marsa. F’din l-esebizzjoni nsibu wkoll diversi statwetti devozzjonali (5, 35, 49) u xbieha tal-qaddis ma˙duma iΩjed fil-kobor bit-terrakotta (23, 27, 39).

‘Missieri g˙adu ja˙dem s’issa u jien na˙dem ukoll.’ (Ìw 5,17). Fis-sema (29), Dun Ìorg g˙adu ma ‘rtirax’, m’huwiex ‘pensjonant’. Il-©id li jibqa’ jsir fid-dinja wara l-mewt ta’ bniedem qaddis huwa l-aqwa xhieda li jista’ jkollna meta na˙sbu fil-˙ajja tieg˙u m’Alla fl-eternità (2). Santa TereΩa ta’ Lisieux qalet li l-©enna tag˙ha kienet se tkun li xxerred xita ta’ ward fuq id-dinja. Tkellmet fit-termini sentimentali tas-seklu dsatax. Imma kienet qieg˙da tesprimi verità nisranija profonda — il-qaddisin, li qeg˙din jg˙ixu f’Alla, huma b’xi mod mag˙qudin mag˙na (20). G˙alhekk a˙na wkoll ninsabu m˙e©©a biex inlissnu bil-qalb “San Ìorg, itlob g˙alina” (22). Huwa jinterçiedi g˙alina. It-twegiba talMulej taslilna Ωgur…

Road vision. This exhibition also contains examples of devotional statuettes (5, 35, 49), and a terracotta image of the Saint in larger proportions (23, 27, 39).

My Father is working still and I am working (Jn 5:17). In heaven (29) St George has not ‘retired’, he is not a ‘pensioner’. The good that lives after a man on earth (2) is the finest picture that we have when we think of his afterlife in God. St Therese of Liseiux said that her heaven would be to let a rain of roses fall upon earth. She spoke in the sentimental terms of the nineteenth century. But she expressed a profound Christian truth – the saints, living in God, are joined to us in some way (20). Thus we too, are urged to pray ‘St George, pray for us’ (22). He intercedes for us. God’s reply is certain.

14

Ant on Agius

Dun Gorg u s-Socjetà li Waqqaf Iggwidat minn Ìesù, ispirat mill-Kelma ta’ Alla, imidd il-pass biex id-dinja kollha taqsam mieg˙u l-a˙bar it-tajba.

15

Charlene Agius

Sanctus Giorgius Preca L-umiltà u l-im˙abba li kellu Dun Ìor© Preca wasslitu biex kemm f’˙ajtu kif ukoll wara mewtu huwa fittex li jag˙ti lilu nnifsu kollu kemm hu lil kul˙add. Bl-interçessjoni ta’ dan is-saçerdot se˙˙ fejqan straordinarju li wassal biex il-knisja tiddikjarah qaddis.

16

17

18

Joe Agius

Birthplace of a Saint Fr George was declared ‘Saint’ because he was faithful to God, the Gospel and the Church without forgetting that he was a human like all others. In him we can see the church with a human face (Edward Schillebeckx).

19

PHILIP Agius

Mistiku

Óarisni, ja Alla, g˙ax fik jien nistkenn:

jien g˙idt lill-Mulej: ”Inti s-sit tieg˙i,

ma g˙andi l-ebda hena ˙liefek”. Salm 16: 1-3 u g˙all-qaddisin li huma fil-pajjiΩ, jien g˙idt:

“L-g˙axqa tieg˙i kollha fihom”.

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publius Agius

Saint George Preca L-umiltà u l-im˙abba li kellu Dun Ìor© Preca wasslitu biex kemm f’˙ajtu kif ukoll wara mewtu huwa fittex li jag˙ti lilu nnifsu kollu kemm hu lil kul˙add. Bl-interçessjoni ta’ dan is-saçerdot se˙˙ fejqan straordinarju li wassal biex il-knisja tiddikjarah qaddis.

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Marco Arcidiacono

The Mission of Dun Gorg Preca The humble beginning of the journey of Dun Gorg Preca's mission to found the Society of Christian Doctrine of the Museum in Malta" Media; Oils effect on Gold Panel

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Carmel Bonello

St George Preca Studies These are different studies in one drawing of St. George Preca from phases throughout his lifetime, I wanted to express how peaceful and spiritual our saint was, apart from his smile that in every study it shows how this saint was there for everyone. This is the way our saint wants us to live, in peace, in the spirit of God and loving one another.

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Carmel Borg

Dun Gorg: Il-Holma ta’ Hajtu Dun Ìor© fittex dejjem li jxandar il-Kristu Kurçifiss lill-popli tad-dinja kollha permezz ta’ l-Evan©elju.

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Fabio Borg

Faith, Hope and Courage The colours of this painting resemble the colours of growing grass. San ﾃ経rﾂｩ Preca had a concept that developed and bore fruit and has kept on growing till this day. He was not afraid of going against the current and was a man of great faith, filled with hope and courage in the Lord.

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PAUL BUSUTTIL

Dun Gorg u l-Immakulata Minn Ωmien g˙al Ωmien, San Ìor© Preca kien imur Bormla u qabel ma jibda jg˙allem lit-tfal u lil kbar kien iΩur il-kwadru devot ta’ Marija Immakulalta, fil-Knisja Parrokkjali.

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Raymond Buttigieg

Grazzi Sinjur Alla u Ahfirli Sinjur Alla Óabbejtek kif fta˙t g˙ajnejja Ωammejtek ©o qalbi ˙a narak ©or-ru˙ tieg˙i ˙assejtek. Bewsa Kbira kif narak Il-Kelma tieg˙ek jien xerridt Ir-rigal li tajtni li ˙dejk ni©i g˙at-tgawdija

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Arja Nukarinen Callus

Life of Dun Gorg

“Wasn’t it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Lk 24, 32)...”The seed is the word of God” (Lk 8, 11).

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Camilleri Antoine Paul

Imbotta mieghi “… intom kontu mieg˙i.”

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Camilleri Cauchi Paul

Dun Gorg

Papa Ìwanni Pawlu II sejja˙ lil San Ìor© Preca t-tieni San Pawl g˙al Malta. G˙alhekk is-simboli ta’ dan l-appostlu fuq in-na˙a ta’ isfel u l-kliem MUSEUM iduru mad-dinja - is-sej˙a universali ta’ l-Evan©elu ta’ Kristu.

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ruggier a. Caruana

Dun Gorg ibierek lit-tfal Dun Ìor© kien jg˙addi mit-toroq tal-Óamrun u jifra˙ meta jara t-tfal jersqu lejh biex iberikhom.

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Tony Caruana

Sajda Museumina “Ejjew warajja u nag˙mel minnkom sajjieda tal-bnedmin.”

Mark 1, 17

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Joseph Casha

From Moses to Jesus Moses presents us with the ten commandaments: Jesus invites us to the new law of the beatitudes.

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Charles Cassar

The Spirituality of Dun Gorg

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Edwa rd Cassar

Kristu Kurcifiss

L-OÌÌETT WIEÓED TAL-ÓSIEB TA’ DUN ÌORÌ: Minn o©©ett naturali, b©alma hi din l-injama li n©arret mal-ba˙ar, jiena nrexxieli no˙ro© il-figura ta’ Kristu msallab; hekk in˙oss li g˙amel is-Sinjur Alla ma’ Dun Ìor©: minn bniedem tant umli ˙are© Qaddis hekk kbir.

Mario Cassar

Relikwarju ta’ San Gorg Preca L-Arti Sagra kontemporanja la ssibha fil-muΩewijiet il-kbar u l-anqas fil-kotba ta’ l-istorja ta’ l-Arti. Issibha g˙al kenn ta’ qalb xi artist li juΩaha primarjament biex jitlob. Talba personali. Il-bqija, l-o©©eti wΩati u l-memorji tat-tfulija miktuba mhumiex tant importanti daqskemm il-˙sieb, li jwelled kollox.

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Deborah cachia

Madwar id-dinja kollha B˙al fwie˙a li to˙ro© mill-flixkun Ωg˙ir u timla’ l-post fejn tkun, hekk il-Kelma t’Alla li to˙ro© mill-fomm tal-qaddej t’Alla u timla’ r-ru˙ tal-bniedem hu fejn hu.

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MariA Rossella Dalmas

Let your Light Shine before Men A lonely lonely figure dressed in a long black cassock emerges from the enveloping darkness of spiritual ignorance and becomes a beacon for those who want to know the true meaning of Life.

And suddenly he was not alone.

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Savio Deguara

San Gorg Preca “Óafna jsibu xortihom fik u inti fihom”.

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Charles Ebejer

Berikna Dun Gorg Fi tfulitna, meta kien ikollna xi eΩamijiet ta' l-iskola, konna ng˙addu g˙and Dun Ìor© biex iberkilna l-pinna jew il-pitazz fi triqitna lejn l-iskola. Din ittifkira ispiratni biex inpitter dan il-kwadru li semmejt "Berikna Dun Ìorg"

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Justin Falzon

Dun Gorg

“T˙abbu ma’ l-umiltà u l-manswetudni”.

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Joanne Portelli Fenech

The Dream that came true

“Utinam: how I wish that the whole world cqm to know the Word of God”.

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Carmelo Fsadni

Dun Gorg

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Josephine Galea

Id-Dinja u l-Evangelju Id-dinja g˙andha bΩonn aktar lajçi biex ixandru l-Kelma t’Alla speçjalment fl-artijiet tal-missjoni.

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Paul Galea

Id-Dhul fl-Eternità “O, x’sieg˙a feliçi li fiha naraw il-wiçç tant mixtieq li jifforma l-g˙axqa tal-qaddisin”.

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Antoine Hili

Dun Gorg Ibierek

“Jien kont mibg˙ut biex inbierek”.

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Guido Lanfranco

Il-Purcissjoni tal-Milied Flimkien mal-presepju u l-priedka tat-tifel, il-Museum ta’ Dun Ìor© kompla jsa˙˙a˙ it-tradizzjonijiet tal-Milied billi beda l-purçissjoni bil-bambin.

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Lemmikki Louhimes

Christmas Eve Procession The SDC Society does a great thing organizing the Christmas Eve Procession with the statue of Baby Jesus thus reminding both children and adults that God has given us Jesus. In Sweden, some children think that Christmas is the birthday of Donald Duck! Children in Malta - thanks to Saint George Preca and Museum – know the real message of Christmas.

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Vince Mangani

Aghtini l-ghajnuna Il-Ìrajja tas-salib tal-Marsa hi ppreΩentata b˙ala ikona. It-tifel Ìesù ta’ tnax-il sena, fl-ikonografija huwa msejja˙ Kristu l-Immanuel, imlibbes il-kuluri tradizzjonali ta’ l-a˙mar (l-umanità) u l-ik˙al (id-Divinità). Warajh jidher is-salib fejn ©rat id-dehra.

L-isfond hu çelest, il-kulur li ©eneralment jintuΩa fl-affreski fuq il-˙itan.

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Charles Micallef

Dimostrazzjoni ta’ Ferh Ma’ l-g˙ana ˙elu tat-tfal jimxu l-kbar, f’dimostrazzjoni ta’ fer˙, biex jistqarru lil Kristu l-Immanu-El

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Jesmond Micallef

Dun Gorg Ghalliem

“Óallu t-tfal ji©u g˙andi u la tkeççuhomx g˙ax tag˙hom u ta’ min hu b˙alhom hija s-saltna tas-smewwiet.” Mattew 19, 14

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PaulEEn Micallef

A Celebration of Light Despite the rain, thousands flocked to the Vatican Square to witness his sainthood‌. painting in watercolour satisfied these visual elements.

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Mario J. Muscat

Is-Sejha li Rcieva Kull sej˙a g˙andha l-mument mistiku tag˙ha fl-ispirazzjoni tal-bidu, tistenna l-konferma fiΩ-Ωmien u tikber bil-˙idma tal-Membri.

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Dolores Pace

Mitlub Naghti l-Ghajnuna Meta hemm valuri sodi, it-toqol tal-˙ajja jsir e˙fef.

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Ìanni Pace

Il-Mixja

Il-kurrenti li niltaqg˙u mag˙hom fil-˙ajja tag˙na nilqawhom biss bl-g˙ajnuna t’Alla u bir-rieda tajba.

Joseph Pulo

Intimu ma’ Gesù

Nipproponi li lejh biss in˙ares il-©ranet kollha ta’ ˙ajti.

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Vict or Sammut

Viva Dun Gorg Preca Ix-xog˙ol mag˙mul riçentament irid jo˙ro© l-idea tad-duttrina b’ta˙lita ta’ skultura alto-riljevo. Hawn l-iskultur irid jo˙ro© l-messa©© li l-qaddis ried jag˙ti lit-Tag˙lim reli©juΩ. Fl-ewwel panew g˙andna s-sej˙a tal-Mulej biex jibda l-missjoni “Ag˙tini l-G˙ajnuna “ ˙dejn is-salib tal-Marsa “ Fit-tieni naraw il-kliem “Verbum Dei Caro Factum Est “ u l-ewwel membri tal-MuΩew:l-ir©iel bil-beritta u n-nisa blg˙onnella. Fit-tielet panew g˙andna simboliΩmu: il-kalçi jfakkana li Dun Ìor© kien qassis, il-ktieb VSGP ifakkar li l-qaddis kien kittieb u l-gandlier jissimbolizza t-talb regulari tal-membri. L-a˙˙ar panew “Ninni la tibkix iΩjed...’ jurina l-im˙abba lejn Ìesù Bambin u li permezz tat-tfal li Dun Ìor© kien ipproklamat Qaddis .

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Joseph Scerri

Intom kontu mieghi Kieku g˙addieni minn fuq ix-xewk, jew fuq il-fjuri, ma kien jimporta xejn, l-aqwa li nimxi warajh.

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Paul Scerri

L-Aspirant

Meta l-membri kienu jiltaqg˙u fit-triq, kienu jsellmu lil xulxin bis-sinjal ta’ tliet persuni f’Alla wie˙ed.

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Valerio Schembri

Tghallimt nibza’ minn min iffahharni Missierna San Pawl jg˙id “Ma’ nifta˙ar b’xejn ˙lief bis-salib ta’ sidna Ìesù Kristu”.

Hu li tneΩΩa minn kollox u sar lsir, çekken lilu nnifsu, u sar bniedem, obda sal-mewt u sal-mewt tas-salib. Fuq dawn il-prinçipji San Ìor© Preca çekken lilu nnifsu u sar biss strument f’idejn il-Mulej sabiex jevan©elizza.

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Bernard Scicluna

Morru fid-dinja kollha “Morru fid-dinja kollha, xandru l-Bxara t-Tajba lil kul˙add” Fuq il-passi ta’ l-Img˙allem Divin hekk mexa l-qaddej umli San Gorg Preca, b’viΩjoni çara u rieda soda, ra il-qawwa u l-˙tie©a ta’ l-evan©elizazzjoni mil-lajci.

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Antoine P. Vella

It-Tieni Misteru tad-Dawl “G˙amlu kulma jg˙idilkom Hu” F’Kana Marija wriet ru˙ha b˙ala l-ewwel dixxiplu li emmnet f’Ìesù, mudell g˙al dawk kollha li jridu jimxu warajh. Filwaqt li tindirizzana lejn Ìesù, hi t˙ejjijna biex in˙allu l-kelma tieg˙u tid˙ol fina u biex ng˙ixuha kif g˙exitha hi.

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Godfrey xuereb

Verbum Dei

F’dan ix-xog˙ol taç-çeramika, il-kelmiet Verbum Dei huma maqsumin sabiex simbolikament jg˙addu l-messa©© li Dun Ìor© kellu jbati ˙afna biex iwassal il-‘Le˙en il-Ma˙bub’.

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Saviour Xuereb

Dun Gorg jghallem id-Duttrina “It-tag˙lim tajjeb huwa l-g˙ajn ta’ kull ©id”.

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Zammit Ruzario

L-Iben t’Alla sar Bniedem “G˙ax Alla hekk ˙abb lid-dinja li ta lill-ibnu l-wa˙dieni sabiex kull min jemmen fih ma jintilifx, iΩda jkollu l-˙ajja ta’ dejjem.” Ìwanni 3, 16

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