Pope Benedict XVI canonized Malta’s first saint on Sunday. St.
George Preca founded the Society for Christian Doctrine, popularly
known as “Museum”. This is the acronym for the Latin phrase
Fr. George would use to educate Malta in its love for God and neighbor
— Magister Utinam Sequator Evangelium Universus Mundus (Divine
Teacher, May the Whole World Follow Your Gospel).
Among the 5,000 Maltese who attended, including the Mediterranean
country’s president and prime minister, was the five-year-old boy
whose miraculous healing from severe liver problems was attributed to
the intercession of Fr. George.
The healing of Eric Catania was the definitive second miracle
required to canonize the Maltese priest. The boy’s identity had
been kept secret according to the wishes of the family but was revealed
recently by a British tabloid.
In 2001, the newborn Eric had developed severe liver problems and
was sent to a local hospital. The baby’s condition worsened and
he was sent to King’s College Hospital in London.
His only hope of survival was a liver transplant. A few days before
the surgery, however, doctors learned that the available organ would be
rejected by the child’s body.
Hopeless, the child’s parents prayed for the miraculous
intercession of Blessed George Preca. They even placed a glove on the
child that was used for Fr. George’s exhumation.
Four days later, on July 24, 2001, doctors discovered that surgery
was no longer required because Eric’s liver had miraculously
started to function normally.
Eric was in Rome with his parents and 40 other family members for
the canonization. He also received his First Communion yesterday from
the Pope.
The Canonization Mass had strong Maltese input. Six excerpts from
Fr. George’s writings were read at the beginning of the ceremony,
10 Maltese priests concelebrated with the Pope, and 50 Maltese priests
distributed Holy Communion.
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