Special Feature

THE CLERIC IGNATIUS FALZON  By Fr. Alexander Bonnici O.F.M.Conv. H.E.D., S.Th.L., Ph.B.

Ignatius was born on 1 July 1813 to Giuseppe Francesco Falzon (a lawyer) and Maria Teresa (nee' Debono). He was baptised the following day at the parish church of Saint Mary of the Porto Salvo, in Valletta. His family home was in Strait Street. He attended catechism lessons in the churches of St. Barbara and Our Lady of Victories. On 3rd August 1822, he received the sacrament of confirmation. He was still a very young child when everyone observed how kind and generous he was. He prayed fervently in various churches and the private chapel that his family had.

Though he was not inclined to any career, his father encouraged him to enter the University and become a lawyer. In fact, he graduated as a lawyer in 1833, but he never practised that profession. He had already made his choice. In 1828, he became a cleric (a religious student) and in 1831 he obtained the minor orders (such as reading in church as an official person of the church). He however did not consider himself worthy to become a priest.

Ignatius helped generously all those who were in need. Having experience in Law, he gave many legal opinions free of charge. He daily took part in the sacrifice of Mass and received Holy Communion. Everyone noticed his fervent devotion towards Our Lady and St. Joseph.

Though he imparted religious instruction both to children and to adults, Ignatius was well known for his instructions
to British servicemen. He began to instruct them in his own house, but then he began to gather them in the Jesuit
church at Valletta. Not less than 650 protestants were prepared to receive the sacrament of baptism. He instructed Catholic soldiers and sailors too because he insisted that they were expected to know the "catechism" and should set a good example to others. It was rare, at that time, to find anyone in Malta, who spoke English fluently. He wrote and published a prayer book entitled The Comfort of the Christian Soul, but many books were brought from England and he distributed them among the soldiers. He helped them in their private and personal problems.

Ignatius was weak in his health. He suffered quite often from heart attacks. In fact, he died of a heart failure on 1st July 1865, when he was only 52 years of age. He was buried in the church of St. Mary of Jesus in Valletta. Ignatius Falzon will be beatified by Pope John Paul II on the 9th of May 2001.

 
See also...

NAZJU FALZON: A role model of Lay Ministry for our times

Commentary and original illustrations by Friar Raymond Falzon.