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Toni Calleja (ed): Il-Korpus. Leħen mill-Parroċċa tal-Għasri – 38. Gozo, 2013). 150 pp.

These days Melitensia does not come only in the form of A4-size sumptuous publications or attractive coffee-table books but can actually take different forms. Il-Korpus, an annual publication which has now reached its 38th year, is the name of an interesting publication from the parish and locality of Għasri, the tiniest village on Gozo and most probably the smallest village of the Maltese archipelago population-wise.

The publication should find itself on the bookshelves of all lovers of Maltese and Gozitan history and culture.

The word Korpus is the Maltese rendering of the Latin term Chorpus with reference to the Body of Christ as in the Mystery of the Eucharist since the parish of Għasri, erected as an independent entity only in December 1921.

A publication not to be underestimated

Mention Korpus and you have to mention its founding-father, the mind behind it, the very conceiver of its existence, Toni Calleja, a retired archivist born and bred in the village with which he has fallen in love.

Read Il-Korpus in its 38th issue, and you become instantly aware that Calleja is an encyclopaedic mind when it comes to Għasri and all that has to do with it. The 2013 issue of the periodical which I have just finished reading is a monument to his sense of dedication and hard work.

First of all, even before one begins to read it, one already knows that he is not going through an ordinary periodical or souvenir book like the many 100s that are published annually to glorify the history of our parishes or their titular patron saints.

Il-Korpus offers nothing of the sort. It is the result of a scholarly work and researched study. Calleja himself gathers the articles that appear in the publication which is also beautiful in style and presentation.

In every issue of the publication one finds an article or two about the veneration and cult of the Blessed Sacrament. This year is a special one since the Church in our islands is commemorating the centen-ary of the International Euchar-istic Congress held in our islands.

It was on this occasion that the Papal Legate Cardinal Domenico Ferrata inaugurated the Church of the Perpetual Adoration of Savina in Victoria. This year also commemorates the 1700th year since Emperor Constantine made Christianity religio licita and brought to their end the Christian persecutions.

Another article that features in the book focuses on facts andstatistics regarding the Maltese episcopate, Maltese cardinals and the possibility of a Maltese Pope. An interesting piece of literature that one needs to read for oneself.

Rev. Dr Joseph Bezzina’s study about “the resignation of various popes throughout the centuries” is both timely and informative, as are the other articles that appear in the publication.

Il-Korpus is a publication not to be underestimated. Lovers of Gaulitana, that is Gozo’s history, culture, folklore and other overlapping themes of interest, will not be disappointed as they go through the pages of this publication.

I would dare say that even if one were to read it in one sitting, it would still take more time for the reader to get in all the knowledge he comes across throughout its pages. Il-Korpus is a celebration of Għasri and is a must for all those who like me have fallen in love with Gozo’s past and the present reflected therein.

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