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ST LAWRENCE MENTIONED IN ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF POPE BENEDICT XVI

In his first Encyclical Letter entitles Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), Pope Benedict XVI dwells with profound theological detail and emphasis on the Christian virtue of love.  One aspect dealt with is the concept of ‘diaconia’, the institution within the Church of the service of charity.  It is in this context that the Pope, quoting from the sermons of St Ambrose, De officiis ministrirum, mentions St. Lawrence as a typical example of caring for the poor and the weak and as an exponent of ecclesiastical solidarity.  The Pope again referred to St. Lawrence in his address to deacons in Rome in a special ceremony for them.  This event was given front-page prominence in the Vatican’s daily newpaper,  L’Osservatore Romano.

PASSING AWAY OF FR. FRANCIS AZZOPARDI OFM. CAP

Fr Francis Azzopardi, a fervent and long-serving Capuchin passed away peacefully at the age of 78.  He was elected several times to serve as Provincial of the Franciscan Order.  He was also an ardent historian, founder of a Museum and a Library at the Floriana Capuchin Friary and Motherhose.  He published several historical features and books.   For many years he was a Committee member serving as Vice President of the Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society and often indulged in historical discussion with the Society’s former President, the late Can. Dean Anton Zammit Gabaretta.  He involved himself intimately in the Society’s activities and twice delivering the annual oration for the Great Siege Commemoration at Piazza Vittoriosa.

1,750 TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. LAWRENCE’S MARTYRDOM

Vittoriosa is bracing itself for the joyful celebration of the 1,750 th anniversary in 2008 of the martyrdom in Rome of St. Lawrence in 258, during the reign of Emperor Valerian during the Christian Persecution.  He was roasted on a gridiron which has become symbolic of this gruesome martyrdom. Vittoriosa Archpriest, Can. Joseph Caruana, announced the setting up of a committee comprising representatives from various parish entities that will be responsible for drawing up a programme of activities to mark the occasion.
 

MUSICO-LITERARY EVENING TO HONOUR PROF. ANDREW VELLA O.P.

The prince of Wales Philharmonic Society in collaboration with the Dominican Community of Vittoriosa organized a musical and literary concert at the Annunciation Church, Vittoriosa, in honour of Vittoriosa-born Prof. Andrew Vella OP.  The concert features interesting compositions by former bandmasters of threw band, namely: Ricci, Monterrosso, Gatt, Costantino with a symphonic-poem composed for the occasion by Mro. Emmanuel Spagnol.  Considered as the founder of the scientific study of Maltese history, Prof. Vella earned for himself great esteem and admiration.  He was promoted Head of the Faculty of History at the University of Malta. Prof. Vella was for a time a Committee Member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.  In the 1992 edition of Pronostku Malti, (p. 213 et seq.) the Society published a bibliography of his publications.

SACRED MUSIC CONCERT TO COMMEMORATE CAN. LUIGI FENECH

“ENDEMIC DEMOCRARY 1919-1930” BY PROF. DOMINIC FENECH

Prof. Dominic Fenech who hails from Vittoriosa has published a rigorous diagnosis of the delicate post-World War I history of Malta, the period which saw a strengthening of Maltese nationalism and the first beginnings of the modern-day political party reality.  The full title of this volume, Book One, is “Responsibility and Power in Inter-war Malta”.  Its sequel, Book Two, will take up the years immediately preceding the outbreak of World War II.

COTTONERA LANDSCAPES BY EMILY FRENDO CAMILLERI

The Vittoriosa Local Council Hall at Couvre Porte hosted an exhibition of oil paintings depicting scenes from the Cottonera by Emily Frendo Camilleri.  During the inauguration ceremony Agenda Bookshop presented a selection from their wide-ranging publications.

‘LEHEN IS-SOCJETA’ MUZIKALI SAN LAWRENZ’ IS FIVE YEARS OLD

The quarterly newsletter issued by the St. Lawrence Band reached its fifth year.  The bulletin carries reports about the Band’s activities but also features articles and commentaries about Vittoriosa in general.  It provides an open forum of ideas and debates.  A get-together to mark the event for readers and sponsors was held at the St. Lawrence Band Club.

DEATH OF DR. PAUL CASSAR

The death was announced of Dr. Paul Cassar, aged 91.  Besides being a reputable medical doctor and consultant, he was a remarkable historian.  He pioneered with his monumental book: ”Medical History of Malta” (1965) where he probed into the annals of the Birgu Sacra Infermeria.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE GRAND MASTERS, TRANSLATEDBY FRA JOHN CRITIEN

This is a remarkable publication by Midsea Books Limited in collaboration with Heritage Malta.  Ther full title is “Chronology of the Grand Masters of the Hospital of the Sacred Military Religion of St. John of Jerusalem now known as the Order of Malta”.  It reproduces the portraits of all 78 Grand Masters of the Order, accompanied by short text excellently translated by Fra John Critien, the Resident Knight of Fort St Angelo.  The portraits were derived from two old prints, one of which is found at the Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa, and the other at the Order’s headquarters in Rome.  This reference book is a tribute to the millenary history of the Order of St John which for 40 years ruled from the fortified city of Vittoriosa.

VITTORIOSA MAYOR VICE PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN HISTORIC CITIES ASSOCIATION