Fabian Mangion writes:
It is with regret that we heard of the sad loss of Joseph Baron. Born in Senglea on April 11, 1923, Joseph was the third child of France Baron and Anne Douglas.
In all, they were nine siblings, five boys and four girls, among whom was Fr Pawl, OFM Cap (1925-2012), whose name is closely tied with the missionary work he carried out among the Maltese who settled in Australia.
He was employed with the Civil Service, first as a meter reader and later as an auditor.
With great dedication, love, loyalty and boundless generosity, he also dedicated his time and energy to the Society of Christian Doctrine, in particular the Senglea MUSEUM branch (male section); the Church, particularly the parish of Senglea; and Catholic Action, in particular the journal Leħen is-Sewwa.
When he was still an adolescent, Joseph heard the voice of the Beloved inviting him to join the Society of Christian Doctrine. He responded positively and when time was ripe, he became an incorporated member. In 1946, he was called by his superiors in the society to replace Superior Salvatore Robinich. Thus, at the age of 23, full of eagerness to see the branch progressing, he became the fifth superior of branch no. 16 of Senglea.
In 1961, Superior Baron was replaced by Joseph Camilleri. But in 1966, the Superior General Francesco Saliba called Joseph again to lead the branch. It must be said that from this MUSEUM branch, a high number of both priestly and religious vocations emerged.
Joseph’s term of office was brought to an end in 1983 but not before he initiated the transition of the branch from Our Lady of Sorrows Street to 137, Victory Street.
In 1963, Joseph formed part of the organising committee created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta. Five years later, in 1968, he was chosen as secretary of the parish pastoral council. In 1971, a committee was appointed to organise the festivities on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the coronation of the statue of Our Lady of Victory. Joseph was called to fulfill the role of secretary in this committee.
Another vocation Joseph carried out with thorough Christian dedication and with no minor personal sacrifices was the post of administrator to the weekly paper Leħen is-Sewwa.
After dedicating his time, acumen and health for these tasks, the Lord permitted Joseph to go through a time of trial. Indeed, he spent the last years of his life lacking his eyesight, almost completely. Joseph embraced this burden with Christian fortitude.
Until his health permitted, he continued to live in the family home in Senglea. Later, he joined his ‘brothers’, members of the Society of Christian Doctrine, at Dar il-Ħanin Sammaritan, Santa Venera.
There, on December 17, 2014, he heard the Lord calling him to abruptly end the Advent he was living here and to rapidly join him in the lasting rest. On December 20, Joseph was given a final farewell through a Eucharistic celebration at Senglea Basilica, a collegiate church which he cherished so much and about which he talked dearly.
Faced with this loss, we say prayers and utter words to provide solace. Above all, we feel reassured by the Scriptural words that “the souls of the upright are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them… their departure was regarded as a disaster, their leaving us like an annihilation; but they are at peace.” (Wisdom 3, 1-3)
Au revoir Superjur Baron!