Nazju Falzon

Blessed Nazju Falzon

Nazju Falzon
Born July 1, 1813
Valletta, Malta
Died July 1, 1865
Valletta, Malta
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified May 9, 2001 by Pope John Paul II
Feast July 1


Blessed Ignatius (Known locally as Nazju) Falzon (July 1, 1813 – July 1, 1865) was a Maltese cleric who was beatified in 2001.

History

Nazju Falzon Palace - His house in Birkirkara
Plaque on his house in Birkirkara

Falzon was born to Francis Joseph Falzon, a judge, and Mary Teresa Falzon, the daughter of a judge. He had three brothers; all four became lawyers, and two of the brothers entered the priesthood. Nazju Falzon himself received minor orders at 15, and earned his degree in theology. He taught catechism to local children.[1]

Falzon also worked with the British soldiers and sailors who were stationed on Malta, a British protectorate. He would seek out the men at the places to which they were assigned. Those who were interested were brought to his own home for services. As more grew interested, he was forced to move, finding a new home for his work at a Jesuit church in Valletta. Falzon imported simple texts in various vernacular languages, distributing them to his flock to read; he was also a writer, responsible for The Comfort of the Christian Soul. He became a mentor to those who remained on the island, serving them as pastor and performing marriages, baptisms, and funerals.[2]

Nazju Falzon died on his 52nd birthday, and is buried in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in the Church of the Franciscan Friars Minor, Mary of Jesus, Valletta.[3]

Veneration

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001—the beatification miracle involved the complete healing, in 1981, of a man stricken with cancer.[4]

Franciscan Fr. Marjan Vella wrote a biography of Blessed Nazju Falzon, Glorja tal-Kleru Malti.[5]

References

External links

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