Fr Hermann Duncan O.Carm writes:

Mgr Lawrence Mifsud went to meet the risen Lord on June 20 at the venerable age of 83.

Lorry, as he was known, was born in Vittoriosa on September 15, 1933.

He attended the first years of primary school in Vittoriosa until the war broke out. His family then relocated to Żejtun where, together with his brother Ġużi, who later became an Augustinian friar, continued and finished primary school.

Later on, he attended the Archbishop’s Minor Seminary in Floriana. Here, he discerned his priestly vocation, entered the Major Seminary and started a course in theology at the University of Malta.

Mgr Mifsud was ordained priest on March 14, 1959, at St John’s Co-Cathedral by Archbishop Michael Gonzi and celebrated his first solemn Mass at the parish church of St Lawrence, in Vittoriosa. He later became canon of the same Collegiate.

He started his priestly duties at the Żejtun parish church, where he served as an organist till 1963. He then became parish priest of Marsaxlokk where he started the Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei national pilgrimage, which is still held today.

In 1964, Mgr Mifsud became archpriest of the collegiate church of Vittoriosa where he spent the next 19 years.

To him, the sacraments, the rosary and the liturgy meant a lot. He had a strong determination to make God’s temple a special place of worship and possessed a deep spirit of charity towards the weak and the poor, as many parishioners could see for themselves.

He was chaplain of the Royal Navy, based at Fort St Angelo, a post he held until the British left Malta in 1979.

In 1983, Mgr Mifsud was appointed archpriest at St Nicholas parish church, in Siġġiewi, by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca.

It is worth noting that he was known for his lenten and spiritual sermons as well as panegyrics delivered in many parishes in Malta and Gozo.

He was very reflective in his homilies and was constantly keeping himself up to date with the liturgy and the teachings of the Church.

In 1994, he became a monsignor and one of his first tasks was to take care of the sanctuary of the Heart of Jesus in Żebbuġ. He also became pro-rector at St John’s Co-Cathedral where he spent time as an active member of the foundation.

Mgr Mifsud possessed a great talent for sacred and secular music and composed various pieces, whether to be interpreted during Mass, hymns or marches. He always offered his talent for pastoral services.

His funeral was held at the Siġġiewi parish church and his burial took place in the family grave at St Lawrence’s cemetery in Vittoriosa.

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