The Vatican has started the process for the beatification of Bro. Louis Camilleri and the postulator of the cause will be coming to Malta in the coming weeks, this newspaper has learnt

The postulator, who guides the process, will evaluate information on the late provincial’s life.

Bro. Louis, who died in May 2011, was a much-loved faculty member of the De La Salle and Stella Maris colleges and taught generations of boys.

He was director of both colleges as well as St Benild School and went on to serve as provincial, a term that coincided with the Church-State dispute over Church schools.

Bro. Louis joined the De La Salle Order just before World War II. As a teacher, he taught geography, religion and languages.

Bro. Louis was a walking and shining example of an entire life devoted and dedicated solely to serving others

Church sources pointed out that though the postulator would visit soon, the process itself was still very much in its early stages. More details are expected be announced closer to the five-year anniversary of Bro. Louis’s death.

The ball was set in motion by the Brothers of Christian Schools, or Lasallians, after informing the Archbishop, sources said.

When contacted, Archbishop Charles Scicluna welcomed the news and said he was “very pleased to confirm [his] full support for this cause”.

Former De la Salle and Stella Maris students have been sharing memories of the former provincial since the news broke, many recalling happy classroom anecdotes.

One of Bro. Louis’s former students, Simon Cusens, said his former teacher was the perfect example of someone who held the Lasallian values at heart. “Bro. Louis was a walking and shining example of an entire life devoted and dedicated solely to serving others,” he said.

Well-known for his deep spirituality and dedication to his pupils, Bro. Louis was considered a role model for many. In a social media group for De la Salle alumni, members described their former teacher as someone who had positively impacted the lives of many young men who had at some point been under his supervision.

The postulator has the task of proving that Bro. Louis lived heroic virtues. Once that is approved, he would earn the title of venerable. To then be beatified, a miracle acquired through his intercession would be required. Another miracle would be needed for canonisation, although the Pope may decide to waive these requirements.

If canonised, Bro. Louis would be the second Maltese national to be declared saint after Saint Ġorġ Preca in 2007.