Many years ago a certain Mgr. Aloysius Farrugia, a local diocesan priest and a Salesian Co-operator, had met Don Bosco in Turin and asked him to send the Salesians in Malta. Don Bosco promptly replied that the Salesians would establish themselves in Malta gradually.

 

After some years, on the initiative and generosity of the late Maltese philanthropists, Alphonse Maria Galea and Mgr. Isidor Formosa, the Salesian came to Malta in November 1903. St. Patrick’s residential school for boys in Sliema area was the first Salesian House in Malta and was declared opened in May 1904 by Don Michele Rua, himself the first successor of Don Bosco.

 

In 1908 a Festive oratory was opened just across the road where the children of Sliema and nearby residences still rally daily to pray, play and partake of the fruits of the Salesians. More then thirty years ago Savio College, on the outskirts of Dingli in the north of the island, was opened with the primary objective to foster and cultivate Salesian vocations. Some years ago a Youth Hostel opened its doors for the first youths adding with the promised commitment, thus continuing with the mission of Don Bosco in today’s world.

 

After the Second World War the Salesian set foot also on the Island of Gozo where they undertook to run an Oratory in the capital city of Victoria. Unfortunately, although very well motivated the Gozo Past Pupils Association lacks the presence of the Salesians nowadays.

 

Associations have their histories no less than individuals and we can now state that the history of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in Malta and Gozo goes back to the year 1921, indeed a long time ago.

 

On the initiative of a couple of past pupils from the Salesian Oratory in Sliema, it was decided to form, even in the tiny island of Malta, an Association of Old Boys on the same lines as those associations which were already in existence in other parts of the world particularly in Europe. Dr. Giuseppe Pace LL.D. was instrumental in this initiative. The historical first reunion was held on the 8 th May 1921 and was presided over by the Rector, Don Vincenzo Allegra sdb. In his introductory talk he said that he felt confident that the Association would prosper and flourish with enthusiasm and fervour so as to reach the high ideals to which it was set up.

 

Afterwards, Dr. Pace succeeded to form another association of past pupils this time at St. Patrick’s Salesian School with the help and support of a handful of ex-students who promised to be of service to other fellow past pupils.

 

But it was in the year 1965 that the Maltese National Federation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco was formed with the election of the National Executive Council and the drafting of the rules and regulations. Since then all Maltese past pupils have been united with the World Confederation of Salesian Past Pupils.

 

So far, the Past Pupils of the Maltese Islands have been represented at the following meetings:

 

1965 Turin, Italy 1 st Eurobosco Congress

1970 Turin / Rome International Congress

1975 Messina, Italy Regional Meeting

1975 Leuven, Belgium 2 nd Eurobosco Congress

1978 Madrid, Spain 3 rd Eurobosco Congress

1979 Rome, Italy Reunion of European Presidents / Delegates

1980 Maroggia, Switzerland First EuroGex Congress

1981 Frascati, Italy Reunion of National Presidents / Delegates

Lugano , Switzerland 4 th Eurobosco Congress

1983 Rome, Italy Reunion of Presidents / Delegates at world level

1985 Dublin, Ireland 5 th Eurobosco Congress

1987 Rome, Italy Reunion of European Presidents / Delegates

1988 Rome – Turin, Italy Centenary Congress SDB & FMA Past Pupils

1990 Taormina, Italy 6 th Eurobosco Congress

1992 Rome, Italy First General Assembly

1994 Torremolinos, Spain 2 nd Eurogex Congress

1995 Estoril, Portugal 7 th Eurobosco Congress

1996 Seoul, S. Korea 6 th Asia / Australia Congress

1997 Brussels, Belgium Reunion of European Presidents / Delegates

1998 Rome, Italy Second General Assembly

1999 Grasse, France 8 th Eurbosco Congress

2000 Bangkok, Thailand 7 th Asia / Australia Congress

2002 Ocana, Spain Reunion of European Presidents / Delegates

2003 Rome, Italy. 9 th Eurobosco Congress

2004 Rome, Italy Third General Assembly

 

As part of the Salesian Family, the Past Pupils play their part. In almost every walk of life, in most industries and commercial undertakings, the Past Pupils of Malta and Gozo are a prominent factor in society. They too play an active part in the life of the Church, continuing the mission of Don Bosco for the salvation of the young in today’s world. This work has become increasingly more difficult because of the many obstacles and problems that our young people are facing.

 

The various roles that the Past Pupils are carrying out in Malta and Gozo to help the Church and the Salesian Community may be broadly grouped as follows :

 

• Helping in the religious functions held at the Salesian houses;
• Organize drama performances to help youths in character formation.
• Helping the local Parishes in all their needs.
• Running of catechetical groups in various localities.
• Organizing sports, cultural and recreational events.
• Initiate fund raising activities mostly to be of support to the Salesian community.
• Holding of Annual Retreats;
• Talks to school-leavers explaining the structures of our Movement;
• Real presence at the Salesian houses to make good due to lack of staff.

 

The idea behind the Past Pupils Movement is stated in its statute which says that they “intend to consolidate the bond of friendship which binds them to their educators and unites themselves and to preserve and develop the principles which were at the foundation of their formation so as to express them in authentic life commitments.

 

In fidelity to Don Bosco’s charisma they should be able to analyse the urgent needs of the young in respect of the three dimensions of the preventive system: reason, religion and loving kindness. These values take into consideration the whole process of human development and the deepening of Christian life.