Fr Mark Cauchi OSA writes:
Recently, the Austin Friars opened one of their graves at the Addolorata Cemetery to lay to rest one of their brethren, Fr Bonaventure Chetcuti who died at Christus Sacerdos at the venerable age of 91 years, two months and 25 days.
Fr Chetcuti hailed from Cospicua. He was the eldest son in the family offered to the Lord's service in the Augustinian Family. He was ordained priest on Sabato sitientes 1940.
He was sent to the Victoria Priory in Gozo till the Provincial Chapter held in July 1946. From Gozo he was sent to North Africa together with Fr John Scerri for missionary work. They were the post-war pioneers. Fr Chetcuti was attached to the Basilica of Hippo and looking after the old people of the Little Sisters of the Poor Home. He catered for the spiritual needs of Joannonville, Banlieu of Hippo as well. He built a church through many sacrifices and hard work. The Bishop of Hippo and Constantine raised the church to a parish and appointed Fr Chetcuti as the first parish priest of Ste Monique.
In 1958, from Joannonville, Fr Chetcuti was sent to the Sacre Coeur de Tunis where I had the honour to join him. Living together I can say he was a hard worker and an altruist. The Sacre Coeur was a big parish having 32,000 faithful. Though 40 years elapsed, the parishoners still appreciate our work and ask for "des nouvelles".
From Tunis, Fr Chetcuti returned to Annaba and I went to La Goulette. From Annaba, he returned to Malta at Valletta, chaplain to the cloistered Augustinian nuns. From Valletta, he went to Palermo helping our confreres. There was need at Catania and Fr Chetcuti did not refuse to offer help. Since his health was failing him, he was called in Malta at the Valletta priory where he was stuck to the confessional chair.
Fr Chetcuti was keen on the holy liturgy, especially during Mass.
It is to be known that he was the pioneer of All Souls church in Tarxien. When he used to be on holidays in Malta, he celebrated Mass in the old chapel of that cemetery.
This year, Fr Chetcuti was not feeling well, so he was taken to the Home for the Clergy to be in better hands. After 11 months, he spent his baptismal candle on November 4.
Au revoir et a bientot. Having loved him in life, let us not forget him in death (Augustine).