Special Feature

Papal Visit: First Maltese Beatifications

DUN GORG PRECA (1880-1962)   THE CLERIC IGNATIUS FALZON (1813-1865)   SISTER M. ADEODATA PISANI (1806-1855)    The three Maltese known for their holy life     to be beatified by Pope John Paul II    By Fr. Alexander Bonnici O.F.M.Conv. H.E.D., S.Th.L., Ph.B.

A "Beatification", in the Roman Catholic Church, is an act of the Pope, declaring a deceased person to be in the enjoyment of heavenly bliss, and granting a form of public veneration in a nation or diocese where the man or woman of outstanding holiness was born or lived. The person can be publicly venerated also in the institute of consecrated life to which one belonged. The "Beatification" is the first step towards the "Canonization", which is the formal admission of the holy man into the calendar of saints and can be given universal veneration with the celebration of the holy mass and feast in his honour. Mass and the Divine Office (a public prayer), can be said also in honour of those who are beatified, but not universally. When a person is officially beatified by a decree of the Pope, he is called "Blessed".