Dun Gorg Preca's canonisation in June is expected to induce a mass exodus of Maltese to Rome, with Air Malta already having received six requests for chartered planes.
"It's still too early to confirm how many planes will actually be chartered, but gauging from people's enthusiasm we are expecting to receive more requests," an Air Malta spokesman said when contacted yesterday.
Air Malta's Airbus planes can take 141 people if flying with the A319, and 168 passengers if using its A320, the spokesman said. Dun Gorg, who set up the MUSEUM, the Society of Christian Doctrine, will be canonised at the Vatican, on June 3, together with Simone da Lipnica, Carlo di Sant' Andrea and Maria Eugenia di Gesù. The event coincides with the society's 100th anniversary this year.
Since the news that Malta will get its first saint made headlines on Saturday, travel agents have been inundated with calls and e-mails from those wishing to witness this historic moment.
Norman Hamilton, Hamilton Travel managing director, said his agency, which is organising a tour to Rome between June 1-4, received over 200 requests yesterday morning alone.
"The interest from people wanting to be present for the canonisation has been overwhelming," Mr Hamilton said.
Euro Tours is organising a similar tour, as well as a day trip, and managing director Piju aliba said that the phone had not stopped ringing since Saturday.
John Mousù, of Mousù Travel, said that he had made a request for two chartered planes and was still awaiting confirmation.
"We are organising day trips, as well as a three-night trip. We have received 56 calls this morning (yesterday). I imagine that at least 3,000 Maltese will be flying to Rome to be present at this memorable event," he said.
Travel agents had experienced a similar eagerness in April 2005 when hundreds of Maltese had wanted to bid farewell to Pope John Paul II. However, that event had become a logistical and security nightmare as more than two million people descended on the city, and the majority of Maltese faithful had to watch the funeral ceremony on television.
This time, things should move along more smoothly. Joseph Zammit from Birkirkara is one of hundreds who is booking a trip to Rome, accompanied by his wife, son and a few of his friends.
"I was a member of the MUSEUM for 33 years and I know Dun Gorg personally. When I heard the news that he is going to become a saint I cried with joy," he said.
Another person, Carmel Cauchi, from Birkirkara, is hoping to book his trip soon and travel to Rome with his friends from the MUSEUM.
"I remember Dun Gorg from the days when I used to attend catechism classes. He would tell our superior to give us three sweets each to symbolise the Holy Trinity... he would bless them first. However, when I went home my mother would take them and keep them in the showcase because Dun Gorg's sweets had a healing reputation. They would come out of the showcase whenever we had a cold," Mr Cauchi said with a smile.
The fervour has also reached the Missionary Office, in Valletta, which has received a number of requests for holy pictures, books or statues of Dun Gorg.