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“At id-Dar tal-Providenza, life and dignity for all are dearly cherished. Anyone who comes here understands how the life of every person, whoever the person is, is precious and we should cherish it because man is created in God’s image. Here, life is cherished with love. It is this love that is the soul of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, but it also goes out from here to touch the hearts of all Maltese.”

This was said by the Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General, Mgr Joseph Galea Curmi when he paid his first official visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi. He was welcomed by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, and met and chatted with the residents and their support workers as well as officials of the Administration. He also found time to see first hand the various services the Home offers.

When addressing the residents, Mgr Galea Curmi said that Id-Dar tal-Providenza teaches him how to live the motto ‘Cherish life with love’ that he chose so that it remains an inspirition to his episcopal ministry.

Mgr Galea Curmi wanted to express the gratitude and appreciation of the Church in Malta to the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, the Director, Fr Martin Micallef, Fr Trevor Fairclough, the Sisters of Charity, all the workers and volunteers of the Home. A thank you from the heart because what is being done is the best expression of Christian life of what the Chirch is in its mission in Maltese society.

The Auxiliary Bishop ended by auguring that on the footsteps of Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi, who in a prophetic and providential way instituted this Home, we all continue to spread the message that emanates from here: Cherish life with love.

Residents, support workers, employees and volunteers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza once again had their ‘San Martin’ Outing, This year the venue was St Dominic’s Priory in Rabat. The activity started off with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Archbishop Emeritus, Mgr. Pawl Cremona OP assisted by Fr Martin Micallef and Fr Trevor Fairclough.

After the Mass there was lunch, dessert and coffee for all.

Mgr Charles Gauci, new Maltese Bishop of Darwin, Australia paid an official visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

He was greeted by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home and members of the Administration. He met and chatted with residents who give their time at the St Isidor Agriculture Centre and at the Aquatherapy pool. He also visited the chapel and the Dun Mikiel Museum after which he spent some time of prayer at the grave of the founder of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza warmly remembers Sr Annunziata Cortis, from the Sisters of Charity of St Jeanne Antide Thouret who has joined the Lord at the venerable age of 105. Sr Annunuziata served at Id-Dar tal-Providenza between 1970 and 1971 and again in 1982. During that time she was also the Superior of the community of nuns residents at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Biography

Sr Anunziata was born in Rabat, Malta in 1913. She was christened as ‘Pawla’. During those times Europe was passing through difficult times because the first world war (1914-1918) was looming on the horizon. Apart from that, Malta was a British colony and it couldn’t be spared the effects of war.
Sr Annunziata’s parents managed to give their daughter a profound christian and human formation. At a tender age she felt the call for a religious life and after moments of prayer and advice from those who knew her well and could give her guidance, she left everything that was dear to her behind her and at the age of sixteen entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Charity in Tarxien.

Sr Annunziata was a humble person, always ready to learn. After her novitiate she was sent to the Central Hospital in Floriana and at that stage her superiors realised right away that she had the necessary qualities to become a Sister of Charity. One needs to keep in mind that during those days the hospitals did not have the facilities available nowadays and that the personnel were not as qualified as today and so work was more difficult and harder than today.

In 1965, the Sisters of Charity were asked to give their services in a Tripoli hospital and Sr Annunziata went there for two years and there she was quite happy because for her tending the sick was a tangible way to show love and caring with those in need. The two-year period in Tripoli was extended for a lot longer and in 1978 she was resposible for the community of Sisters there. During her long life, she was practically in every care home we have in Malta, ‘Saura’, ‘St Vincent de Paul hospital’, ‘Id-Dar tal-Providenza’, Tarxien ……. Where there was a need she used to go wholeheartedly because in the sick she saw the suffering Christ.

Besides tending the sick, in 1970 she became Provincial Counsellor and during those whole five years she served gladly and with lots of love. Sr Annunziata was a capable woman and very good hearted and, her age notwithstanding, she was always ready to help and give her all wherever she was needed.

She was also a very spiritual woman. Everyone refers to her calmness and prudence, to her keeping to herself what needn’t be said, her being very quick in forgiving those who slighted her, her understanding of others and of accepting their lack of morals and spirituality. She had a jovial character always ready to help and fraternise with others.

Sr Annunziata’s life was interlaced with acts of love as witnessed by all the Sisters that lived with her. Sr Annunziata had this force within her because first of all she was a woman of prayer and intimity with the Lord. She wouldn’t exchange her prayer time with any other activity if not necessarily required.

During the last few years, she lived at the Balzan home of the Sisters of Charity were they spend their time of merited rest after decades of service to charity.

On Friday, 28th September, the Armed Forces of Malta, with the cooperation of the Malta Police Force and Civil Protection, organised a bike ride in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. The bikers gathered at the Luqa Barracks at 6.00pm where the bikes were blessed by the Armed Forces Chaplain, Fr Joe Meli and Malta Police Chaplain, Fr Ray Bonnici OFM Cap. Colonel Brian Gatt addressed the participants and thanked them for taking part in this initiative. After an hour’s bike ride and arrival at id-Dar tal-Providenza, the Armed Forces organized a pasta night for the riders, their families and friends.