Mass for the repose of the soul of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi
On Saturday, 10th May, id-Dar tal-Providenza together with the Malta Catholic Action organised a mass for the repose of the soul of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, the Home’s founder, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of his death. He died on May 13th 1987 aged 77 years.
The mass was celebrated by Fr Reuben Gauci, the Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Youth Catholic Action (ZAK), assisted by Mgr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. In attendance for this mass were the Home’s residents, employees and volunteers, the Directorate of the Malta Catholic Action and the residents of Casa Leone, a Church’s home for the elderly in St. Julians.
In his homily, Fr Martin spoke of the qualities of the Good Shepherd and said that these were reflected in persons that were gifted to us by God amongst whom were the lamented Pope Francis, our new Pope, Leo XIV and Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi. Mgr Micallef pointed out that we are all called to be shepherds according to God’s heart and according to our particular calling and all the environments that we live and work in.
At the end of the mass, the President of the Malta Catholic Action, Marija Cachia, thanked the residents and employees of Id-Dar tal-Providenza for their welcome, as well as the Casa Leone residents who together with those responsible for the administration of the home and the Diocesan office for the Homes of the Elderly accepted the invitation to attend. This is an annual appointment not only as a sign of respect for Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi but also with respect for those he represents. As Fr Martin explained in his homily Mgr Azzopardi always put the Gospel in practice especially with respect towards the dignity of every person from conception to natural death.
Pope Leo XIV reminded us that God loves everyone unconditionally. Maybe these are words that we as a society need to continually remind ourselves of.