Appreciation - Canon Michael Saliba

Lucienne Bason, writes:
I have known Fr Michael Saliba for the past 21 years. We were acquainted when I had gone on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr Saliba was spiritual director of the group. Everyone knew Dun Mikiel (as he was known) as an exemplary priest who would turn a difficult situation into a humorous one.

Dun Mikiel was of great help to me in my achievements. On one instance, he had asked me to read during a Mass I had attended in Mtarfa, where he said Mass at the chapel of St Lucy and St Oswald and was of service to the community there for over 40 years.

I was then surprised to see myself reading at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta during my late uncle's 25th anniversary of priesthood. This was one of my greatest achievements with Dun Mikiel's help.

Apart from his spirituality, one of the many qualities that struck me in Dun Mikiel was how practical he was. At one Maundy Thursday function in Mtarfa, he had 13 disabled men acting as apostles (instead of 12) to wash their feet.

Neither of them wanted to be left out, so Dun Mikiel, not wanting to break anyone's heart, left them at 13 (he had joked that he had to wash and extra pair of feet).

I will always remember him for his love and dedication towards the sheep entrusted in his care. Most of all, he was always full of the Lord's love for all those who came to him for spiritual care and confession.

My condolences go to his brother and sisters. May he rest in peace.