Homage to Fr Peter

Dutch artist Bonne Ten Kate was in Malta a few weeks ago to present a mask to Margaret Zammit, personal assistant of his late friend Fr Peter Serracino Inglott.

Mr Ten Kate last visited Fr Peter at Dar Tal-Kleru, Birkirkara, in September. During their conversation, Mr Ten Kate showed Fr Peter a booklet with photographs of his latest sculptures.

According to Mr Ten Kate, “He examined these very carefully. Then, looking me straight in the eyes, he said: ‘Yes Bonne, you are progressing well. Very inventive work’. I had never had such a straight compliment from him.”

Mr Ten Kate promised to make Fr Peter a bi-frontal mask of a clown on one side and a cleric face on the other, and bring it over on his next trip to Malta.

Fr Peter died on March 16 before Mr Ten Kate had chance to give him the mask in person.

“I ordered, for his funeral, a wreath of white tulips with the inscription ‘minn qieh qalbi’ for I considered him my guardian angel,” Mr Ten Kate said.

“I also spoke to several friends over the telephone, especially to Margaret Zammit, his dedicated assistant for so many years. I have therefore decided to give the sculpture to Margaret, with the inscription ‘Homage to Father Peter’”.