Fr Julian Cassar writes:
He was innovative, indefatigable and a true shepherd. My childhood parish priest in St Julian’s, Mgr Guido Calleja lived to almost 90 years, slowing down only in the last four as he resided at id-Dar tal-Kleru, still with a sharp memory and cherishing close to 60 years of dedicated pastoral ministry.
Ordained in 1953, he spent his first two years as secretary to Archbishop Gonzi, who had recognised his musical talent and sent him for a sacred music course in Rome.
Back in Malta, he was quickly assigned to St Julian’s parish in 1956 where he spent nine hard-working, ecumenically-challenging and liturgically-revolutionary years.
His pastorate was right in the middle of Vatican Council II, and as if the changes, which St John XXIII brought were not enough, Fr Guido embarked on the building of the first modern church in Malta.
All the people of St Julian’s remember this dream of his come true, a church which was finished by his successor Fr John Galea, and opened officially in 1968.
Many of the old folks are now gone, but those who are still around remember the many fairs he organised, while encouraging people to donate two shillings and six pence to buy a stone for the church. And little by little the church took shape and was finished, while at the same time Fr Guido started also the St Julian’s choir, and helped in the transition from the Latin Mass to the vernacular.
As altar boys we enjoyed participating in processions, waiting for the sandwiches and drinks at the Domus Curialis, with Fr Guido as the gracious host after the memorable Corpus and Sacred Heart processions.
After St Julian’s, Fr Guido became parish priest at Stella Maris parish for eight years, after which he embarked on yet another innovative venture, being the first financial secretary at the Archbishop’s Curia, which for the first time saw the priests receive a basic salary.
The early 1980s saw both of us head to the US, myself in New York and Oregon and Fr Guido to Magnolia Springs , Alabama, where he served in the same parish for 22 years.
He recollected with me the love the people showed him and appreciation for all he did to bring the parishioners together on many occasions, spiritual, social and recreational.
As a young child, I remember Fr Guido as an imposing figure, a charming singing voice, playing the organ, and encouraging us to be involved in the church, from helping the sacristans to singing in the children’s choir, and serving Mass.
I remember helping him with the blessing of the houses while filling our pockets with biscuits and chocolates, which on getting home, had crumbled and melted respectively, although the few pennies he let us have were God-sent to us.
He had a most beautiful handwriting, and I treasure a few letters I have from him with perfect penmanship.
His simple room at id-Dar tal-Kleru lately was much different from his office at the St Julian’s parish in the early 1960s, but he was proud of two photos he had with two saints, St George Preca and St Teresa of Calcutta. I am sure he has now re-acquainted himself with them in his new eternal home.
Rest in peace, most beloved shepherd.