Id-Dar tal-Providenza expresses its sorrow at the death of Archbishop Emeritus Gużeppi Mercieca

Id-Dar tal-Providenza expresses its sorrow at the death of Archbishop Emeritus Gużeppi Mercieca that occurred on Monday March 22nd, 2016. Condolences go to his relatives who are assured of the residents’ prayers for his soul. Mgr Mercieca was a humble pastor very close to the people especially the sick whom he visited regularly in hospitals.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza will always cherish the love and special interest that Archbishop Mercieca always showed towards the Home. His words still echo when at Dun Mikiel Azzopardi’s funeral at St John’s Co-Cathedral on May 14th, 1987, he said: “Go in peace, Dun Mikiel. Rest assured that all the initiatives you started will be continued.” Consequently, Mgr Mercieca saw to it that Dun Mikiel’s dream becomes a reality as it actually did. Right after Dun Mikiel’s death, Archbishop Mercieca appointed Mgr Philip Calleja as temporary caretaker of the Home until on July 1st, 1987, he appointed Mgr Lawrence Gatt as the new Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Mgr Gatt recounts that when Mgr Mercieca sent for him to tell him about his new appointment he told him: “I am going to give you the most precious thing that the Diocese has.”

The last official Dar tal-Providenza event that Archbishop Mercieca attended was the Thanksgiving Mass held at St John’s Co-Cathedral on September 18th, 2015 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Home.