Hajja Salesjana July-September 2022

Mill-album tal-Familja Salesjana A brief introduction of yourself, your family and your studies. Born in 1961, from Naxxar and the second of six boys, I was lucky to attend St. Monica Primary School in Mosta, where I was able to start piano lessons at the age of six. Even more fortunate was the choice of secondary school, Savio College, then still in its fourth year of existence. There, following on my elder brother’s footsteps, I was helped to discern God’s call to become a Salesian priest. My early years as a Salesian took me to Ireland for Novitiate, to the UK and Ireland again for philosophical studies and to Rome for theology. Further studies in music were carried out in parallel. Given my keen interest in music and liturgy, I was asked to remain at the Salesian University in Rome. Following my doctorate in theology, I was sent to teach liturgy in Cremisan, near Bethlehem, for one year. I ended up spending thirteen marvellous years, 1. How did you come to know Don Bosco? Form 1 at Savio College in Dingli was my first contact with Don Bosco and the Salesians. The fact I was also a boarder for the first two years and again later as an aspirant, meant I could experience Salesian life up close. The fraternal and joyful atmosphere as well as the presence of various younger Salesian brothers must have helped me discern my own vocation. One other decisive element was reading the fascinating life of Don Bosco in Maltese, written by Fr. Philip Grech, who not only taught me English but also encouraged me quite a lot in my musical studies. 2. Fr. Aurelio Mulè Stagno sdb during which the theological centremoved to Jerusalem and even changed language from Italian to English. Now back in Malta, in the Senglea community, since 2013, I’m glad also to contribute to the local church as organist and choirmaster at Mdina cathedral. 16 Lulju - Settembru 2022 hajja