I refer to the letter ‘Forty years of Father’s Day’ by Frans Said, (The Sunday Times of Malta, June 11). Father’s Day was introduced in Malta by Mgr Charles Vella and the Cana Movement in 1964.
The idea was imported by Mgr Vella from the US where Father’s Day had been celebrated for more than 50 years, since June 1910. If I remember correctly the first Father’s Day here was dedicated to John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated a few months before, in November 1963.
On a personal note, when Mgr Vella asked me to take part in the launch of Father’s Day I had accepted rather reluctantly because even though I was a father myself I thought, rightly or wrongly (probably wrongly), that the ‘honour’ should be left to mothers.
After 53 years I must admit that I do not regret that my original doubts were ignored.
Happy Fathers’ Day to all.