Author: Noel Muscat

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Fr. John Abela OFM – (1954-2011)

John Abela is a Franciscan Friar Minor from Malta. He was born in 1954 and entered the Franciscan Province of Malta in 1971. He was ordained priest in 1979.

Books / Libretti

  • Il-Bibbja : ġrajja ta’ ġens, Sensiela fidi u kultura 12 B, Istitut Kattoliku, 1991, pp 48.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa mal-Franġiskani. Gwida għas-santwarji, Edizzjoni TAU, 1985 (l-ewwel edizzjoni), pp 127; 1994 (2 ed.), 1998 (3 ed.), 2009 (4 ed.), pp 255.
  • Il-Bibbja fl-ambjent tagħha, Edizzjoni TAU, 1998, pp 266.
  • Għaliex int? : rakkont Marjan, Edizzjoni TAU, 1983, pp 36.
  • Int fejn sejjer? Il-ħajja ta’ Francesco t’Assisi, MASK, 1983, pp 22.
  • Jien min jien?, MASK 1984, pp 31.
  • Jien Hu, MASK, 1984, pp 29.
  • L-imsikket, MASK, 1986, pp 52.
  • Mislub f’Ħaġar Qim : ġrajja bla bidu u tmiem, MASK, 1987, pp 69.
  • Francesco : tliet atti dwar San Frangisk t’Assisi, MASK, 1987, pp 76.
  • Ħati? : ġrajja ohra tal-istess ġrajja, MASK, 1988, pp 67.
  • Nisrani illum, (ma’ R. Camilleri), Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, pp 235.
  • Qalbiena : fi żmien il-Franċiżi, MASK, 1988, pp 69.
  • Tamietna : fil-bidu tal-ġrajja, MASK, 1989, pp 69.
  • Ħelsien minn jasar il-bniedem, MASK, 1990, pp 72.
  • Dawl fid-dalma tal-ħajja : dramm f’żewġ atti, MASK, 1991, pp 64.
  • Skondsanġwann, SKENE, 2001, pp. 92.
  • It-Triq tas-salib, Edizzjoni TAU, 2002, pp 60.
  • The way of the Cross, Edizzjoni TAU, 2002, pp 60.
  • Droga Kryzowa (http://sandys.republika.pl/index.htm)

Articles

  • L-edukazzjoni fid-dawl ta’ l-Antik Testment, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 1, Nru. 5, 1980,  4-7.
  • Minn fuq l-Għolja tan-Nebo, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 2, Nru. 10, 1981,  16-18.
  • Alla jimliek bil-għomor, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 3, Nru. 12, 1982,  6-9.
  • Kafarnahum: id-Dar ta’ Pietru, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 3, Nru. 12, 1982,  17-19.
  • Nażaret, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 5, Nru. 21, 1984,  11-16.
  • Ġetsemani, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 6, Nru. 27, 1985,  12-14.
  • Toroq tal-P|alestina, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 9, Nru. 47, 1988,  395-398.
  • Iż-żwieġ fil-Bibbja u fl-Art Imqaddsa, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 9, Nru. 48, 1988,  410-414.
  • Is-santwarju ta’ Għemmaws, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 15, Nru. 80, 1994,  447-450.
  • Knisja ġdida tal-Qaddisa Omm Alla, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 15, Nru. 83, 1994,  538-543.
  • B’liema lsien kien jitkellem Ġesù? L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 15, Nru. 84, 1994,  564-568.
  • Il-Ġnien tal-Golgota, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1994, 2-14.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (1), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 85, 1995,  19-25.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (2), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 86, 1995,  50-58.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (3), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 87, 1995,  ????.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (4), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 88, 1995,  ????.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (5), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 89, 1995,  145-153.
  • Is-Sinagoga u l-Knisja, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 16, Nru. 89, 1995,  156-158.
  • Is-Santwarju fuq l-Għar ta’ Bethlehem, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1995, 6-12.
  • L-Art Imqaddsa matul is-sekli (6), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 92, 1996,  248-254.
  • Il-ġrajja apokrifa ta’ Ġesù, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 93, 1996,  270-276.
  • Ġesù jitlob waħdu, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 93, 1996,  284-286.
  • It-tixrid ta-Vanġelu, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 94, 1996,  304-308.
  • Ġesù u l-Liġi, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 94, 1996,  311-316.
  • Skavi fil-Ġordanja. Fost l-oħrajn knisja misjuba wara 1400 sena!, (ma’ M. Piccirillo) L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 17, Nru. 95, 1996,  341-348.
  • Is-santwarju tat-tħabbira ta’ l-Anġlu matul is-snin, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 6-14.
  • L-għar tal-Misteru fis-sikta tal-hemda, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 15-17.
  • Fuq ġwienaħ il-ħsieb, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 18.
  • Is-santwarju ta’ San Ġużepp jew tas-Sagra Familja, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 22-23.
  • Ħawt tal-Magħmudija, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 24.
  • Kont taf?, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1996, 25.
  • Kafarnahum “għamara tal-Mulej”, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1997, 7-21.
  • Umm al-Rasas Kastron Mefa’a. Excavation Campaign 1997. Church of St. Paul: northern and southern flanks, (Report with A. Acconci) in Liber Annuus, 47 (1997), 484-488.
  • It-tnax-il tribù ta’ Iżrael, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 19, Nru. 104, 1998,  49-53.
  • Fil-Ġetsemani “L-għaraq sar demm”, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1998, 5-15.
  • Fil-Ġetsemani arrestaw lill-Imgħallem, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1998, 16-17.
  • Il-Qabar ta’ Marija fil-Wied ta’ Kidron, “Meta għalqilha ż-żmien fuq din l-art…”L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1998, 23-27.
  • Il-Wied ta’ Kidron, …tifkira ta’ dmugħ, imwiet, idolatrija…, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 1998, 28-29.
  • Umm al-Rasas, Church of St. Paul: Southeastern flank, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 48 (1998), 542-546.
  • Il-pellegrinaġġ għal Ġerusalem, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 20, Nru. 109, 1999,  211-215.
  • Id-deżert fl-esperjena biblika, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 20, Nru. 114, 1999,  371-375.
  • Umm al-Rasas – Campagna 1999. Chiesa della Tabula Ansata, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 49 (1999), 479-483.
  • Lejn l-Art tal-Wegħda, L-Art Imqaddsa  (Speċjali żjara Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II fl-Art Imqaddsa), Vol. 22, Nru. 117, 2000,  419-425.
  • Il-pellegrinaġġ – Rakkont, L-Art Imqaddsa (Speċjali żjara Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II fl-Art Imqaddsa), Vol. 22, Nru. 117, 2000,  431-442.
  • Sijon Nisranija. Sekli ta’ għożża, tbatija, inġustizzji…, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Jannar-Frar, 2000, 13-20.
  • Waħeda tgħasses fis-sikta tad-deżert, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 22, Nru. 118, 2000,  491-495.
  • Umm al-Rasas Campaign 2000 – Excavation Report, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 50 (2000), 472-494.
  • Ġrajjiet il-Ġdid Testment (1), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 22, Nru. 122, 2001,  49-51.
  • Ġrajjiet il-Ġdid Testment (2), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 22, Nru. 124, 2001,  78-81.
  • Ġrajjiet il-Ġdid Testment (3), L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 22, Nru. 125, 2001,  141-145.
  • Il-figura ta’ Melkisedek, L-Art Imqaddsa, Vol. 23, Nru. 130, 2001,  317-319.
  • Umm al-Rasas – Archaeological Campaign 2001, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 51 (2001), 364-366.
  • Nitlob tul it-triq. Nimmedita ma’ Ġesù  fit-triq tas-Salib, L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Marzu – April, 2002, 26-32.
  • Umm al-Rasas – Kastron Mefaa Archaeological Campaign 2002, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 52 (2002), 475-478.
  • Żjara f’Għajn Karim, , L-Art Imqaddsa, Suppliment Novembru-Diċembru, 2003, 14-20.
  • Umm al-Rasas 2004, Excavation Report, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 53 (2004), 419-424.
  • Umm al-Rasas 2005, Excavation Report, (Report with M. Piccirillo and C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 55 (2005), 491-498.
  • Umm al-Rasas. The XXth Archaeological Archaeological Campaign 2006, (Report with C. Pappalardo) in Liber Annuus, 56 (2006), 568-572.

NISRANI LLUM

  • Għandi dritt jew dmir li nitgħallem?(Settembru 1984), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 24-31.
  • Ħajti tiegħi? (Diċembru 1984), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 48-55.
  • Dis-sena, ż-żgħażagħ, (Frar 1985) Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 63-71.
  • Xogħol għal kulħadd, (Mejju 1985), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 86-92.
  • Sess qabel iż-żwieġ: nista’? (Lulju-Awissu 1985), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 100-106.
  • X’inhu d-dnub? (Marzu 1986), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 154-161.
  • Il-Madonna jew il-Madonni? (Mejju 1986), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 169-175.
  • Nitkellem jew niskot? (Awissu-Settembru 1986), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 184-190.
  • Progress! Xi progress? (Jannar 1987), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 206-214.
  • Moħħ il-kalmanti, (April-Mejju 1987), Nisrani illum, Edizzjoni TAU, 1988, 229-235.

Plays performed not published

  • In-nisa t-tajba, 1st Perf. at  Gozo Friary by Local Talent – 1972
  • Il-maskot, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1973
  • Il-bniedem tal-paċi, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1973
  • Marija, Marija.. Marija, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1974
  • Kontra l-Gestapo, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1974
  • Dalma imdawwla, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • Għaliex? Għaliex jien? 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • Ħabbâr is-sliem, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • Mas-sebħ tal-għodwa, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • San Ġużepp, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • Minn qalb l-ghollieq, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1975
  • X’nitghallmu minn Ġużeppi, 1st Perf. at Rabat Friary by Local Talent – 1977
  • ..u ma laqgħuhx, 1st Perf. at Valletta Church by Antonjani – 1981
  • Jien Pawlu minn Tarsu, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by MASK – 1983
  • Ġrajjietna, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by MASK – 1985
  • Ilħna, 1st Perf. at Trade Fair Grounds by MASK – 1983
  • Qalbiena, 1st Perf. at Malta Arts Festival by MASK – 1985
  • Għal Tereż iż-Żgħira, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by Koperatturi – 1990
  • Ħajjitna, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by MASK – 1992
  • Chiara, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by MASK – 1993
  • Karba, 1st Perf. at Catholic Institute by MASK – 1996
  • Imġarrbin, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2002
  • Riflessi, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2003
  • Dawlfiddlam, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2004
  • Żerniq, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2005
  • Imsallbin, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2006
  • Meħlusin, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2007
  • Inhobbok, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2008
  • Sallabtni, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2009
  • Sikktuh, 1st Perf. at Metanoia Theatre by SKENE – 2010
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Fr. Ġorġ Aquilina OFM – (1939-2012)

In memoriam

Early in the morning of Saturday 29th September 2012, feast day of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Fr. Ġorġ Aquilina ofm passed away at the Franciscan friary of Saint Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Ġieżu) in Valletta. He was 73 years old.

Marjanu Aquilina was born in Qormi on 18th July 1939, the son of Joseph and Rosaria Saliba. He received his education at the Government schools and at the College run by the Franciscan Friars at “Ta’ Gliex”, close to Saint Anthony’s friary in Għajnsielem, Gozo. As a teenager he was at home at the Franciscan Friary of Ta’ Ġieżu in Valletta, where he received his Franciscan calling. He entered the Novitiate house at Saint Anthony’s friary on 9th October 1955, changing his name to Ġorġ, out of his devotion to the patron saint of his parish in Qormi. He made his first Temporary Profession on 14th October 1956 and his Solemn Profession on 31st July 1960. He studied philosophy and theology in the Franciscan friaries of Ta’ Ġieżu in Rabat and Valletta. On 14th March 1964 he was ordained priest.

After his priestly ordination Fr. Ġorġ was sent for higher studies at the Pontificio Ateneo Antonianum in Rome (nowadays the Università Pontificia Antonianum), where he specialised in Ecclesiastical History acquiring a doctoral degree after defending his thesis on the Franciscan Minister General, Marco da Viterbo, entitled: Marco da Viterbo [1304-1369]. Volume 47 di Studi e Testi Francescani, Roma 1971. In Rome he also attended the Diploma course at the Scuola Vaticana di Paleografia Diplomatica e Archivistica.

Back in the Maltese Franciscan Province Fr. Ġorġ Aquilina took over the work of the late Maltese Franciscan historian Fr. Ġorġ Xerri (†1942). He lectured Church History to the Franciscan students of the Province and became Provincial Librarian and Archivist, a post he was to hold until his death. For many years Fr. Ġorġ was also the Chronicler of the Maltese Franciscan Province. During his long years as Librarian and Archivist he revamped the Provincial Library of the Maltese Province, housing it in a more spacious environment on the floor above the south aisle of Saint Mary of Jesus Church in Valletta, overlooking Grand Harbour. He also moved the Provincial Archives from the cramped space they occupied in the Provincial Curia to the premises of the old theological seminary. He took care of the microfilming and cataloguing of the entire archive.

In the Maltese Franciscan Province Fr. Ġorġ was also Provincial Secretary (1973-1978) and Provincial Vicar (1990-1996). He also promoted and supported the building of the Church and Friary of Saint Mary of the Angels in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. His love for Franciscan life and studies, which he communicated with love and care to younger friars, was also mixed with a sense of enthusiasm for fresh initiatives in Franciscan life, which the Maltese Franciscan Province undertook particularly during the period 1982-1996. Fr. Ġorġ stood up to defend what he truly believed in, even though, like many other learned and enthusiastic Franciscans before him in the history of the Order, he was sometimes misunderstood and misjudged. For those who knew him well, his loud voice, in years gone by, was only the cry of a heart yearning for renewal and seriousness in concrete choices regarding Franciscan values in the field of study and care for the artistic and historical patrimony of the Province.

The long years of research as a historian at the Archives of the Order of St. John in the National Library at Valletta, at the Cathedral Museum in Mdina, at the Notarial Archives, and at many other archives in Malta and abroad, particularly the Archivio Segreto Vaticano, and the Archivio di Stato in Palermo as well as in other towns in Sicily, were the basis of many publications of local and international renown regarding the history of the Order of the Knights of St. John, and the history of the Franciscan Order in Malta and Sicily.

Whoever knows Ġorġ Aquilina in our Franciscan friary of Saint Mary of Jesus (Ta’ Ġieżu) in Valletta, knows him as a laborious historian, always studying old documents in the Provincial library and archives, or in the National Library, the Notarial Archives, the Monastery of St. Ursola, where he has been chaplain of the nuns for about 35 years. Ġorġ Aquilina has made extensive research in the State Archives in Palermo, Rome and other Italian towns, as well as in the Secret Archives of the Vatican. It was in the Vatican that he discovered important documents shedding light on the arrival of the Friars Minor in our islands towards the end of the 15th century. With the collaboration of other eminent historians, like Prof. Fiorini, Ġorġ Aquilina published the earliest documented history of Franciscan presence in Malta, particularly with reference to the friary of Saint Mary of Jesus in Rabat. This monumental work was published through the encouragement of Fr. Raymond Camilleri ofm, founder of the Maltese Franciscan publishing house, Edizzjoni TAU. The last work that he published, and which can be said to be the synthesis of his life’s dedication to historical research, was the complete history of the Maltese OFM Friars, ever since the foundation of the first friary in Rabat in 1482 till more recent times during the Second Vatican Council. The voluminous work covers 483 years of history of Franciscan life in Malta. It was published in 2011. Another work regarding the history of the Franciscan church and friary of Ta’ Ġieżu in Valletta was next in line on the author’s desk. Unfortunately he did not conclude it in time.

For many years, Fr. Ġorġ Aquilina ministered to many Franciscan sisters, particularly to the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus and to the Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was instrumental in the canonical process of the Servant of God Madre Margherita Debrincat, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. As vice-postulator in the canonical process of Beatification of Nazju Falzon, Fr. Ġorġ worked tirelessly to see that this Tertiary cleric who was buried in the Franciscan church of Valletta be promoted to beatification, as indeed happened in Pope John Paul II’s pastoral visit to Malta in 2001.

For 35 years, as we have said, Fr. Ġorġ has been chaplain to the Nuns of the Monastery of St. Ursola in Valletta. Every morning at 6 am he would celebrate Mass for the Jerosolymitan Cloistered Nuns. For them Patri Ġorġ, “il-Kappillan”, as they affectionately called him, was more than a chaplain. He took care to plead with the highest authorities of the Order of the Knights of St. John in Rome to officially recognise the Nuns of St. Ursola as part of the Jerosolymitan Order. He worked hard to raise funds and sensibilise local associations for the restoration of the 17th century monastery. The publication on the history of the Jerosolymitan Nuns saw three editions in Maltese, Italian and English, with a presentation by the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra Andrew Bertie (†2008). Through his close collaboration and friendship with the Order of Malta and with the local authorities Fr. Ġorġ managed to bring to the monastery the relics of Blessed Gerard, founder of the Jerosolymitan Order, where they are now venerated. For his services to the Jerosolymitan Order Fr. Ġorġ was decorated with the title of Magistral Chaplain of the Order. His last contribution to the monastery church was the placing of an old artistic marble altar that used to belong to the Church of St. Alphonse of the Discalced Carmelites in Birkirkara. Fr. Ġorġ was earnestly preparing for the solemn celebration of the blessing of the new altar on the occasion of the feast of Saint Ursola on 21st October. He did not live to see this joyful event. Patri Ġorġ died just as he was preparing himself to go to say Mass at St. Ursola’s Monastery, as he used to do every morning. To the very end he meticulously carried out his religious duties. May the merciful God reward him for his faithfulness to his Franciscan calling.

Postscript:

The following is the list of the most important among the publications of Fr. Ġorġ Aquilina during his long years as a leading Maltese historian:

• Marco da Viterbo (1304-1369 Ministro Generale dei Frati Minori, Cardinale e Nunzio Apostolico, Roma 1971.
• L-Ispiritwalità Franġiskana, Edizzjoni TAU, Malta 1982.
• The Maltese Franciscans and Marian Devotions in the 17th. and 18th. Centuries, in Marian Devotion in the Islands of St Paul, (V. Borg, ed.) Malta 1983.
• Il-Moviment Franġiskan, Edizzjoni TAU, Malta 1984.
• Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira tal-Belt, Edizzjoni TAU, Malta 1986
• Una Devozione Nazionale a Malta per il Crocefisso di Frate Umile, in Frate Umile da Petralia, (Atti del Convegno, Mojo Alcantara 20/21- XI- 1985, S. Agati-S. Nibali, edd.), Catania 1987, 81-88.
• Catalogue of the Records of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Vol. II, Part 8, Malta 1991. Les Hospitaliers à Malte (1530-1798), in L’Ordre de Malte dans les Pays-Bas Méridionaux (XIIe-XVIIIe Siécles), (in French an in Flemish)1993, 31-40.
• The Carmelites, the Oratorians and the Nuns in Birgu, in Birgu the Maritime City, (L. Bugeja, et al., edd.), Malta 1993.
• The Origin of Franciscanism in Late Medieval Malta, in conjunction with S. Fiorini, Malta 1994.
• New Documents relating to the Origins of Religious Orders in Malta, in Proceedings of History Week 1994, The Maltese Historical Society 1996, 1-23 (in conjunction with S. Fiorini).
• Organs and Organ-Builders in 17th. to 19th. Century Malta, in Old Oragns in Malta and Gozo. A collection of studies, (H. Agius-L. Buono, edd.), Malta 1999, 133-168.
• Il-Franġiskani f’Għajnsielem. Il-Knisja u l-Kunvent ta’ S. Antnin, 100 sena ta’ storja, Malta 2000.
• Il-Qaddejja ta’ Alla Madre Margerita De Brincat: Evanġelizzatriċi ta’ l-Imħabba, (in Maltese, English, Italian), Malta 2000.
• Documentary Sources of Maltese History, Part IV, Documents at the Vatican, Visita Apostolica di Mons. P. Dusina, (in conjunction with S. Fiorini), Malta 2001.
• San Ġorġ Martri ta’ Kristu. Tagħrif storiku, Malta 2003.
• San Giorgio, il Santo della Palestina, in San Giorgio e il Mediterraneo, (Atti del II Colloquio internazionale per il XVII Centenario, Roma, 28-30 nov. 2003, G. de’ Giovanni-Centelles ed.), Citta’ del Vaticano 2004, 21-40.
• Is-Sorijiet Ġerosolimitani: Il-Knisja u l-Monasteru ta’ Sant’Ursola, Valletta, Malta 2004 (translated in Italian 2005 and in English 2008).
• Documentary Sources of Maltese History, Part IV, Documents at the Vatican, Cancelleria Apostolica and related sources at the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 417-1479, (in conjunction with S. Fiorini), Malta 2005.
• The full clause explaining the “et coetera” abbreviation in two manuscripts of the National Library of Malta, Malta 2005.
• Fra Diego Bonanno OFM. Franġiskan li ħaseb fil-fqir, Malta 2006.
• Le Arti Figurative nelle relazioni conventuali tra Sicilia e Malta, in Sicilia e Malta Le Isole del Grand Tour, (R. Bondin – F. Pantano, edd.), Malta 2007, 125-133.
• Malta e il Conte Ruggero. La Liturgia dopo la Conquista Normanna per un nuovo Status Quaestionis, in Ruggero I Gran Conte di Sicilia 1101-2001, (Atti del Congresso internazionale di studi per il IX Centenario, Troina 29 sett.- 2 Dic. 2001, G. de’ Giovanni-Centelles, ed.), Roma 2007, 25-33.
• Il-Franġiskani Maltin (Ta’ Ġieżu)1482c-1965c (sal-Koncilju Vatikan II), Midsea Books Ltd., Malta 2011.

Fr. Noel Muscat ofm
Jerusalem, 30th September 2012

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New Life of St. Francis for those in formation

We are posting a Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, written by Fr. Noel Muscat ofm in 2003, in Italian, entitled “Vita di San Francesco d’Assisi”. This on-line publication is a popular biography of the Saint of Assisi, written in the form of notes, with the aim of providing an initial approach to the life of Saint Francis for candidates to the Franciscan life.

In fact, the author, wrote these notes originally for a group of postulants when he was serving for one year as a formator in the Province of Albania. The life is written in such a way as to provide a chronological presentation of the salient moments of the vocational experience of Francis of Assisi, with the help of various quotations taken directly from the Sources for the Life of Saint Francis, particularly “The Life of Saint Francis” by Thomas of Celano and “The Legend of Three Companions”.

In this way candidates to the Franciscan life can read a biography of Saint Francis that leads them on to read and study the Sources in their period of initial formation. This work is simply a first approach to the study of the Sources. Its style is simple and easily readable, and it provides an initial contact with Saint Francis for all those who are not very familiar with his life.

The book is ideal for houses of vocational welcome for candidates to the Franciscan life and maybe also for use during the year of postulancy. Our aim is to provide an English version of this biography in the near future.

Free download here   (Vita di S. Francesco d’Assisi – pdf)

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Chronicle of the 24 generals of the order of friars minor in a new english translation

INTRODUCTION by

Noel Muscat ofm

The history of the Franciscan Order during its first two centuries of existence has been the subject of intense research and study. The Sources for the Life of Saint Francis are of fundamental importance to understand the historical background in which the Order of Friars Minor was born and developed. Many of these mediaeval documents are now edited, and they have been translated into English and can be read by the general public.

Other less known Sources, however are still awaiting publication. Among these documents we mention two voluminous works that were produced during the latter half of the 14th century, namely the Chronica XXIV Ministrorum Generalium Ordinis fratrum Minorum, by the Franciscan Arnald of Sarrant, from the Province of Aquitaine (written in 1369-1374), and the Liber de Conformitate vitae beati Francisci ad vitam Domini Iesuby the Franciscan Bartholomew of Pisa (written in 1385-1399).

Noel Muscat ofm, member of the Maltese Franciscan Province of St. Paul, and currently residing in the Holy Land, is offering an online contribution to the translation of The Chronicle of the 24 Ministers General by Arnald of Sarrant into English. This is the first time that a complete translation of the Chronicle has been completed. The Chronicle is being posted on-line as part of our endeavour to spread the Franciscan message through green technology, and provide Franciscan texts free of charge to all those who are interested to read them. We believe that, by doing so, we are offering a service to the Franciscan Order, the Church and to the Christian identity of European history.

The Chronicle of the 24 Ministers General presents the history of the Order of Friars Minor from its foundation by Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) to the General Leonard of Giffoni and the beginning of the Western Schism (1378). This translation is the fruit of three years of work, and is based on the Latin critical edition.

The Chronicle was published in Latin by the Franciscan scholars and Quaracchi editors in 1897, in Volume 3 of Analecta Franciscana, and covers 575 pages of text, plus 134 pages of appendixes. Because of its voluminous nature, the entire Chronicle has been translated in 5 sections covering respectively the following historical periods: (1) Saint Francis and the early Franciscan fraternity; (2) The Generals from Brother Elias as vicar (1227) to Saint Bonaventure (1274); (3) The Generals from Jerome of Ascoli (1274) to Michael of Cesena (1328); (4) The Generals from Gerard Eudes (1329) to Leonard of Giffoni (1378); (5) Appendixes to the Chronicle. The translation is enriched by footnotes, and explanations on the various historical events narrated and on the personages of the Chronicle.

The volume has the aim of providing a readable translation, without pretending to be a translation of a scholar of mediaeval Latin. We are aware that other efforts have been made for many years to present a professional translation of the Chronicle, and that it will not be long before an English edition will be published. On our part, as we have already stated, we have tried to present a translation which would be as faithful as possible to the original text, and which, indeed, has been made with the intention of being as professional as possible. It is not possible for us to present this edition in print, because of the limited means at our disposal, but we are confident that, by posting the translation on-line, we are reaching a wide range of interests, as well as being faithful to our Franciscan calling to generously render a service without looking at any material gains.

The effort to place this voluminous work online is the result of the tireless work of Fr. Raymond Camilleri ofm, who took care of the setting of the text, indexes and contents, as well as of Fr. John Abela ofm, who designed the cover. Both friars were instrumental in encouraging me to conclude the translation and publish it on the Internet. To both of them goes my heartfelt gratitude.

We hope that the service we are offering at such an enormous cost of time and personal effort will be of benefit both to students of Franciscan history as well as to those who are qualified to correct its inaccuracies, and who we gratefully thank for their expert advice. The Chronicle of the 24 Generals can be freely downloaded from the Franciscan Studies section of the website.

Free download here (Chronicle of the XXIV Generals of the Order of Friars Minor – pdf)

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History of the Franciscan order by Heribert Holzapfel, ofm

Introduction by
Noel Muscat ofm

On the occasion of the feast of St. Francis we are also posting a complete English translation of Heribert Holzapfel’s Handbuch der Geschichte des Franziskanerordens, published in 1909, exactly 101 years ago. This classic of Franciscan History provides a manual for study that is still a milestone in historical research on the Franciscan Order, even though contemporary monographic studies on the theme have certainly come a long way from the traditional model of manuals covering entire centuries. Our aim is that of offering an English translation of the manual, which is the work of two Franciscan friars, Antoine Tibesar and Gervase Brinkmann, in a typed manuscript dated 1942. Holzapfel’s work was published also in Latin with the title Manuale Historiae Ordinis Fratrum Minorum in the same year 1909.

We are grateful for the kindness of Fr. Maximilian Wagner OFM, who in 2009 was still Minister Provincial of the Franciscan OFM Province of Bavaria, now incorporated with the other German provinces into the one OFM Province of St. Elizabeth, Germany, and who gave us permission to post this English translation on our website.

THIS TRANSLATION IS COPYRIGHT OF ANTONINE TIBESAR AND GERVASE BRINKMANN & NOEL MUSCAT 2009.

Free download here (History of the Franciscan Order by Heribert Holzapfel OFM – pdf)

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In defence of the Portiuncula Indulgence

“In Defence of the Portiuncula Indulgence” is an English translation of the Latin original medieval sources for the Portiuncula Indulgence, which Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) requested from Pope Honorius III in 1216 for the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, known as the Portiuncula, close to Assisi. The most important source among these documents is the “Tractatus de Indulgentia Portiunculae” by Brother Francis Bartholi of Assisi, composed in 1334-1335 in defence of the Indulgence against its detractors. Hence the title “In Defence of the Portiuncula Indulgence”.

The author, Brother Noel Muscat ofm, is a member of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. He was born in Malta in 1957 and entered the Order in 1976. He studied Franciscan Spirituality at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome and is author of various publications. He currently resides in Jerusalem, where he is at the service of the Holy Land Custody.

In Defence of the Portiuncula Indulgence (pdf)

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New translation by Noel Muscat OFM

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

THE FRUITFUL FAMILY OF FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ITALIAN TRANSLATION OF BARTOLOMEO DA PISA, “LIBER DE CONFORMITATE VITAE BEATI FRANCISCI AD VITAM DOMINI IESU”, BOOK 1, CONFORMITY 8

For the occasion of the solemnity of St. Francis we are presenting an on-line Italian translation in PDF edition of a section of the voluminous work of Bartolomeo da Pisa, known as “De Confirmitate Vitae Beati Francisci ad Vitam Domini Iesu” (Book of Conformities of the Life of Saint Francis to the Life of the Lord Jesus). The section deals mainly with the companions of St. Francis and the lives of many holy friars living in the various provinces of the Franciscan Order during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Bartolomeo da Pisa was born at Rinonico, close to Pisa, around 1335. He entered the Order of Friars Minor in 15 October 1352. Before 1373 he had gained the academic title of bachelor in Pisa, and became “lector” in various centres of study in the Order, particularly in Padua and Florence. In 1373 the General Chapter of Toulouse sent him to Cambridge to acquire the title of master in sacred theology, but he was unable to go to England because of the Hundred Years’ War. After concluding his studies in Bologna, Bartolomeo was given the title of master by Pope Gregory XI, who addressed a bulla from Avignon on 27 April 1375.
On 2 August 1399 Bartolomeo presented his voluminous masterpiece, entitled “De Conformitate Vitae Beati Francisci ad Vitam Domini Iesu” to the General Chapter of the Order in Assisi, which was approved by the same general assembly. “De Conformitate” is a vast compilation, in which Bartolomeo lists 40 double “conformities” between the life of Jesus Christ and that of St. Francis. The idea of “conformities” was already present in the early Franciscan writers, but nowhere has it been developed in such an articulate and condensed manner. The idea underlying “De Conformitate” was expressed as a need to see how St. Francis and his companions followed and imitated Christ. During the period of the first generation of friars, and particularly in those Sources which depend upon the “Legenda Maior” of St. Bonaventure and which follow it chronologically, the notion of conformity became a certainty that, among all saints, St. Francis was unique in his closeness to Christ, in such a way that he became, if not identical, but certainly confomed to Him.
We have chosen to translate the eighth fruit and conformity, entitled “Iesum coetus prosequitur – Franciscus fecundatur” (Jesus followed by his disciples – Francis who generates fruitfully), because of the importance that it has in this compilation on the companions of St. Francis and on the first generations of Friars Minor spread out in various provinces of the Order.

Noel Muscat is a Friar Minor of the Franciscan Province of St. Paul the Apostle, Malta. He was born in Malta in 1957, and has been in service to the Custody of the Holy Land since 2004. He lectures Spiritual Theology and Franciscan History in Jerusalem, and has published texts of Franciscan sources and studies in Maltese, English and Italian, many of which can be freely downloaded on the website http://www.i-tau.com. He has also presented an on-line English translation of the Chronicle of the 24 Ministers General of the Order of Friars Minor. Bartolomeo da Pisa’s translation will also be shortly available in an E-book format.

LA FAMIGLIA FECONDA DI FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
TRADUZIONE ITALIANA DI BARTOLOMEO DA PISA, “LIBER DE CONFORMITATE VITAE BEATI FRANCISCI AD VITAM DOMINI IESU”, LIBER 1, CONFORMITAS 8

Per l’occasione della festa di S. Francesco presentiamo una traduzione italiana on-line in formato PDF di una parte dell’opera voluminosa di Bartolomeo da Pisa, “De Confirmitate Vitae Beati Francisci as Vitam Domini Iesu” (Libro delle Conformità della Vita del Beato Francesco alla Vita del Signore Gesu). La sezione riguarda principalmente i compagni di S. Francesco e le vite di molti santi frati che hanno vissuto nelle varie province dell’Ordine Francescano durante i secoli 13 e 14.

Bartolomeo da Pisa nacque a Rinonico, presso Pisa, verso il 1335 ed entrò nell’Ordine dei frati Minori a Pisa il 15 ottobre 1352. Prima del 1373 aveva conseguito il titolo accademico di baccelliere a Pisa, e divenne “lector” nei vari centri di studio dell’Ordine, particolarmente a Padova e a Firenze. Nel 1373 fu mandato dal capitolo generale di Tolosa a Cambridge, per conseguire il titolo di “magister” in teologia, ma a causa della Guerra dei Cento Anni non potè andare in Inghilterra. Dopo aver concluso i suoi studi a Bologna, Bartolomeo conseguì il titolo di “magister” da Papa Gregorio XI, che gli indirizzò una bolla da Avignone il 27 aprile 1375.
Il 2 agosto 1399 Bartolomeo presentò al capitolo generale dei frati Minori, radunato ad Assisi, il suo capolavoro voluminoso, intitolato “De Conformitate Vitae Beati Francisci ad Vitam Domini Iesu”. Il volume fu approvato dallo stesso capitolo di Assisi. Il “De Conformitate” è una vasta compilazione, nella quale Bartolomeo da Pisa elenca 40 doppie conformità tra la vita di Gesù Cristo e quella di San Francesco, le quali erano già presenti negli scritti dei primi Francescani, ma che qui vengono sviluppati in modo compendioso e articolato. L’idea base nella “De Conformitate” fu espressa come un bisogno di sequela e imitazione di Cristo da parte di San Francesco e dei suoi compagni. Durante il tempo della prima generazione francescana, e particolarmente nelle fonti francescane che dipendono, in un certo senso, dalla “Legenda Maior” di San Bonaventura, e la seguono in ordine cronologico, la nozione di conformità divenne una certezza che, tra tutti i santi, San Francesco era unico nel suo essere vicino a Cristo in modo tale che divenne, se non identico, ma certamente conforme a lui.
Abbiamo scelto di tradurre l’ottavo frutto e conformità del “De Conformitate”, intitolato “Iesum coetus prosequitur – Franciscus fecundatur” (Gesù seguito dai discepoli – Francesco che genera) per l’importanza che investe nella compilazione sui primi compagni di San Francesco e sulle prime generazioni di frati Minori sparsi nelle diverse province dell’Ordine.

Noel Muscat, Frate Minore della Provincia Francescana di S. Paolo Apostolo di Malta, nato a Malta nel 1957, è in servizio della Custodia di Terra Santa dal 2004. Insegna teologia spirituale e storia francescana a Gerusalemme, e ha pubblicato testi di fonti e studi francescani in Maltese, Inglese e Italiano, tra i quali una traduzione inglese della Cronaca dei 24 Ministri Generali. Le sue pubblicazioni recenti sono reperibili on-line sul sito http://www.i-tau.com e alcune anche in formato E-book.

 

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Il-Passjoni ta’ Kristu fl-Ispiritwalità Franġiskana

IL-QIMA LEJN IT-TBATIJIET FIŻIĊI TA’ KRISTU
FL-ISPIRITWALITÀ FRANĠISKANA 
Noel Muscat ofm

Il-moviment Franġiskan, mibdi minn San Franġisk t’Assisi (1182-1226), ta kontribut kbir lill-Knisja mis-seklu 13 ‘il quddiem. Imwieled flimkien mal-moviment l-ieħor ta’ San Duminku Guzman (1170-1221), fundatur ta’ l-Ordni tal-Predikaturi, l-Ordni tal-Minuri kien strumentali fit-tixrid tal-messaġġ evanġeliku fil-Knisja bil-għatx għar-riforma taż-żmien tal-Konċilju Lateran IV (1215).

Il-Passjoni ta’ Kristu fl-Ispiritwalità Franġiskana (pdf)

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Spiritwalità ta’ Madre Margherita

L-GĦERUQ TA’ L-ISPIRITWALITÀ
TA’ MADRE MARGHERITA DE BRINCAT:
ID-DIMENSJONI FRANĠISKANA 
Noel Muscat OFM

Il-kariżma tal-ħajja ikkonsagrata għandha ħafna forom ta’ espressjoni. Hi tadatta ruħha għall-ispiritwalità Kristjana fid-diversi kurrenti storiċi u soċjoloġiċi li fihom tiġi inkarnata. Madre Margherita twieldet f’mument storiku preċiż, li kien is-seklu 19, ikkaratterizzat minn spiritwalità qawwija ta’ kult lejn il-Qalb ta’ Ġesù.

Spiritwalità ta’ Madre Margherita (pdf)