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210, St Joseph High Street, Hamrun
After a short spell living at Birkirkara, the Precas moved to Óamrun. It was around 1886. They spent some years living in this house then numbered 140. Most probably it was while living here that the Seminarian George was inspired to found a society with the purpose of educating the Maltese in faith. Fr Preca used to recount how just after his ordination he used to go to the room upstairs to meditate and discern God’s will for him and while doing so, he came to the conclusion to open centres for the teaching of cathecism.
Let us pray
O Lord, grant that we will be attentive and faithful to your inspirations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
2
683, St Joseph High Street, Hamrun
The Precas moved house again towards 1916. They just crossed the street to a house almost opposite the parish church of St Cajetan. Here Fr Preca spent the rest of his life except for his last year which he spent at Santa Venera. Here he received those who sought him for counsel and his consoling words. In the midst of a hectic traffic route, Fr Preca managed to find his ‘desert’ where he prayed, wrote profusely and lived in evangelical poverty. Today the original Preca residence is no more. Only a marble plaque testifies where it once stood.
Let us pray
O Lord, grant that our families be true schools of virtue and a wellspring of vocations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3
The Church of St Cajetan, Hamrun
This parish church was built during the episcopate of Bishop Cajetan Pace Forno who suggested as patron the saint whose name he bore. Fr Preca’s name became synonymous with this church. Here he received his First Holy Communion and his Confirmation, served as an altar boy and cathecized, and on Christmas Day 1906 celebrated his first solemn mass. Here he heard the erroneous teachings of the sacristan which led him to dedicate his life to a sound catechetical programme. Here he spent long hours hearing confessions, and praying, lying lengthwise on the floor. Here his body was laid for public veneration.
Let us pray
O Lord, enrich us with the spirit of prayer and adoration, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
4
“Ta’ Nuzzu” Church, Hamrun
This small church with a rich facade, dedicated to St Mary of Porto Salvo, was built in 1736. Here, in February 1907, Fr Preca sought to convene the lads he had met in front of the parish church. “When I became a priest, I acquired some holy pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and went to a bar, where some unruly youngsters used to while away the time. I asked them to follow me to ‘Ta’ Nuzzu’ church. They accepted my invitation and I delivered a sermon on the nature of death and brotherly love. They listened with great attention and subsequently turned up on three other occasions.
Let us pray
O Lord, we pray that the Church will never lack holy labourers who by word and example impart your message to all people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
5
6, Fra Diegu Street, Hamrun
On 7 March, 1907, Fr Preca and ‘his’ lads met for the first time in this small house which consisted of a staircase leading to two rooms in the first floor. It was completely bare. The lads brought same mats, a box, and some paraffin lamps. They used to call this house “the number Six”. It was the first branch of the Society which by now ˙ad started taking shape. Here, most probably in 1907, Salvu Muscat, amidst the enthusiasm of the other Members, wrote the word “Musew” on the facade, with a peel of a pomegranate, — the name he had given to Fr Preca’s society. Today this house is different from what it was in 1907.
Let us pray
O Lord, we pray for our Society so that you bless it, increase the number of its members, and that you may pour forth your grace on it for the salvation of all people especially by means of instruction, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
6
Fra Diegu Institute, Hamrun
This institute run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart was founded by Diego Bonanno, a saintly Franciscan brother and a contemporary of Fr Preca, who worked relentlessly among orphaned girls and poor young women to save them from a life of vice. George Preca was an altar boy at this institute. Brother Diego prophesied to him that he would one day celebrate mass in the same institute. In fact for years Fr Preca was a chaplain at this institute. Here people sought him for advice and confession.
Let us pray
O Lord, grant that we will always bear witness through service, motivated by your Son’s example in putting on the apron and going around washing feet, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
7
“Tas-Samra” Church, Hamrun
Tas-Samra hill is the highest point in the Óamrun area, often associated with the French blockade. The hill and the church took their name from the image of the dark-complexioned Madonna which a Maltese merchant had brought for his wife from Spain. This image quickly generated great devotion among the locals, to such an extent that this church, dedicated to Our Lady, was eventually built. Fr Preca visited this church frequently and used to deliver a homily on the 15th day of each month. He initiated the devotion honouring the Assumption among the people of Óamrun — a devotion which persisted well after his death.
Let us pray
Rejoice o Virgin Mary, because you have found favour before God. You who believed the word of the Archangel Gabriel while a virgin conceived God made flesh, and after giving Him to the world you remained a spotless virgin. Mother of God pray for us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The “Little Sisters of the Poor”, Hamrun
This home for the elderly in Fra Diegu Square is run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, founded by the Blessed Jeanne Jugan. In the early days of the Society, the Founder was just about to deliver a talk to the Members in the Óamrun Centre, when he suddenly stood up, put on his mantle and invited the others to follow him outside without their caps on. The Members were embarassed to go out with their hair cut short. But almost all of them followed Fr Preca in silence. He took them to the chapel of the “Little Sisters of the Poor” where they sang the Mons Domini and the Lectio. Then the Founder addressed them, “It is opportune that from now on, you give yourself completely to God.”
Let us pray
O Lord, grant that from now on we give ourselves completely to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
