Commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the death of Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi

Today, May 13th 2020, we commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the death of Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi, who founded Id-Dar tal-Providenza in 1965 and who used to refer to it as “an oasis of Christian charity”. Dun Mikiel, as he was mostly referred to was born in Valletta on the 10th of February 1910 and died on the 13th of May 1987.

Dun Mikiel used to look at every person with great love be it in the sector of education, later at the Malta Catholic Action and finally at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The aim of the Home is to offer a haven with a warm and family-like environment for persons with disability, who for some reason or another couldn’t remain living with their natural family.

Throughout these years, this service was only made possible thanks to the continuous support by Maltese and Gozitans alike, throughout as well as financial help.

Today, id-Dar tal-Providenza is made up of three residences: Villa Monsinjur Gonzi, Villa Papa Giovanni, Villa Papa Luciani as well as four homes in the community: ’Żerniq’ in Siġġiewi, ’Akkwarell’ in Qawra, ’Dar Pirotta’ in Birkirkara and ’Shalom’ in Żurrieq. It is hoped that later this year, always depending on how the pandemic COVID-19 will keep evolving, the fifth home will be opened in Balluta.

At the moment, the Home houses 115 residents between the ages of eight and over eighty years. It also offers respite services on a regular basis to families of persons with disabilities, thus offering them support to keep their disabled family member within their natural environment.
 
Later on today, the Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza will be offering a Mass for the repose of Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi in the Home’s chapel.

This post is also available in: Maltese