Centenary of Blessed George Preca's ordination

After completing his studies at the Lyceum, George Preca attended the Diocesan Seminary. His dedication motivated him to sit for the Matriculation exams. At the age of 18, he began to study Philosophy and Theology to become a priest. Before he turned 21, he had already received Minor Orders. On December 17, 1904, Bishop Pietro Pace ordained him sub-deacon, and a year later, on December 23, 1905, he was ordained deacon.

1906 was a year of both grief and joy for the young George Preca. He was struck down with a serious illness, which caused his family great distress. He later revealed that it was through the intercession of St Joseph that he regained his health.

December 22, 1906 was the day he had long been waiting for. Fr George Preca felt he had recovered enough to travel from Hamrun to Valletta to be ordained priest by Bishop Pace. Among the clerics attending that day was 21-year-old Michael Gonzi, who received Minor Orders. He was later to become Bishop of Gozo and, in 1943, Archbishop of Malta.

Fr Preca was particularly devoted to the holiness of Christmas. So he chose December 25 to celebrate his first solemn Mass at St Cajetan's parish church in Hamrun. As godfathers he had his uncle, George Preca, and another relative, Joseph Howard, who in 1921 was to become the first Prime Minister of Malta. It was a memorable day for Fr George Preca, his family and friends.

It is a tradition for newly ordained priests to distribute commemorative holy pictures to all those attending their first solemn Mass. He had different printed images, but all had the same message in Latin.

Translated in English, the message read: "George Preca, on Christmas Day 1906, celebrated his First Mass at St Cajetan's church. While he offered humble prayers to the Almighty, who continually bestows on us His Infinite Goodness, he also prayed to be able to do his utmost, for the sake of Holy Church, and for the good of mankind." The message on the front read: "O Jesus, present in the Holy Eucharist, be the happiness of my whole life." He based his entire life on this message.

The Christmas spirit in Malta was very lacking. Around 1921, Fr Preca - who in the year following his ordination, 1907, started the Society of Christian Doctrine, known by the acronym MUSEUM (Magister utinam sequatur evangelium universus mundus - Master [Divine Teacher], may the whole world follow your Gospel) - started the procession with the statue of Baby Jesus, accompanied by children and members of his society.

Dun Gorg, as he became known, started the Christmas Eve procession in Hamrun; today it is held in all the towns and villages of Malta and Gozo. Every year he would set up his crib, and display it in his home. He would invite people to come in and explain to them how much God loved us.

He also wanted all children attending Catechism classes run by MUSEUM to be given a crib or a statuette of Baby Jesus to take it home and have it displayed at Christmas time.