Rev George Mercieca (7.9.1944-22.1.2015) – On Thursday, the 22nd of January, the death of Fr George Mercieca of Victoria was announced. He died after a short illness. Every Gozitan knew Fr George; he used to walk around the streets of ancient Rabat with the pipe in his mouth and his faithful dog accompanying him where he went.

He was in fact a very particular man, but a gentleman at that! Many of us can still recollect his interesting interviews with the late Professor Joseph Aquilina on various subjects which were published in The Sunday Times in the nineties; they attracted a wide variety of readers and were very popular.

Fr George or Dun Gorg ta’ Madalien, as he was affectionately known by the people of Victoria, was known for his simplicity and down-to-earth attitude towards life. He was ordained a priest in 1974 and was a member of the Salesian Congregation of Don Bosco. In fact he studied Theology with the Salesians in Catania.

He left the congregation to look after his mother and became a member of the Cathedral parish clergy. He was also for many years spiritual director of the Il Leone Band of Victoria.

‘Santa Marija’ was the causa letizia of his life; every year, as the 15th of August approached, he used to write a special poem in honour of the heavenly Mother which he would then read during the carrying of the statue from its niche into the main aisle of the Cathedral church as past of the festivities of the Assumption organised in the Cathedral Church.

He can in fact be called Il-Poeta ta’ Santa Marija. Copies of these poems can be read on the parish annual L-Ghid tal-Assunta.

Fr George was also a fine poet; his last book of verse to be published was L-Ghnja tac-Cinju in 2006. He also wrote a short biographical sketch of St George, his patron saint which is now out-of print. He was member of l-Ghaqda Poeti Maltin; many years ago he also helped Erin Serracino-Inglott in the compilation of his monumental dictionary.

The word ‘pretension’ was foreign to him! Dun Gorg was loved by everybody. He will be sorely missed by one and all!

He is now reunited with his old friends Dun Karm and Dun Frangisk Scicluna and Dun Tarcis Gatt and many other friends, priest and laity alike! Requiescat in pace!

Fr Geoffrey G. Attard,

Victoria,

Gozo.

The funeral of Fr George Mercieca will be held on Monday, the 26th of January, in the Cathedral

2.00pm Cortege from the Gozo General Hospital to the Cathedral Parish Centre, where parishioners are invited to visit the coffin of Fr George Mercieca.

3.30pm Funeral cortege from the Cathedral Parish Centre to the Cathedral, accompanied by the Leone Band.

4.15pm Request of Psalms in the Cathedral

4.30pm High Mass Praesente Cadavere led by Mgr Bishop Mario Grech.

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