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Eman Bonnici writes:

In the early hours of November 5, Fr Kamillu Aquilina, OFM, breathed his last at Villa Messina at the age of 93. Born Giuseppe Maria Aquilina in Valletta on January 15, 1919, he joined the Franciscan Fathers in 1936, took his Solemn Vows on January 6, 1941, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 6, 1946.

Vice-parish priest of the Sacro Cuor parish of the Franciscan Fathers in Sliema for 40 years, he served as Guardian of the named fraternity between 1960 and 1966 and as Master of Novices. He also acted as Guardian of the Franciscan Friary of Għajnsielem.

A gifted orator, Aquilina preached sermons, panegyrics and novenas across the islands. Always full of enthusiasm in his ministry, he was a sought confessor not only locally but also in Assisi, namely at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, during summer months.

Aquilina was above all a talented poet, authoring hundreds of poems across the years in Maltese, English and Italian. A collection of his poems are kept in the Provincial Archives of the Franciscan Fathers in Valletta. Several poems appeared on various newspapers and reviews, while a compilation was published under the name Fl-Imħabba ta’ Kristu in 2003.

Fr Kamillu passed away while a prayer to St Joseph was just said for a happy death. I would like to end this appreciation with a quote from St Augustine: “No eulogy is due to him who simply does his duty and nothing more.”