Posted on 10/17/2002 6:26:43 AM PDT by NYer
If reports are true, John Paul II drew his inspiration for adding five "Mysteries of Light" to the Rosary from an obscure holy man who lived on the island of Malta and died in 1962 at the age of 82. His name was Blessed George Preca, founder of a small group called the Society of Christian Doctrine, and his legacy is now permanently etched into the Rosary, which has now undergone the greatest addition in centuries.
According to reports, it was in 1957 that Preca -- a priest long devoted to the Rosary and apparitions like that of the Miraculous Medal -- composed five "luminous mysteries" highlighting Christ's public ministry: His baptism, His self-revelation at Cana, His institution of the Eucharist, His call to conversion, and His transfiguration.
These have now been formally pronounced in a dramatic apostolic letter by Pope John Paul II -- who beatified the Maltese priest in 1981 and has added the mysteries to the Rosary.
Who was Father Preca? And was there a supernatural element?
Born in Valletta on 12 February 1880, George Preca was the seventh child in a middle-class family of nine. His father, Vincent Preca, was first a merchant and then a sanitary inspector. His mother, Nathalie Ceravolo, was a teacher. Ordained in 1906, he was a prolific writer (140 books and pamphlets); a charismatic speaker (roaming the countryside, like St. Dominic); and an evangelist. Often he worked the docks -- befriending sailors and other strangers whom he schooled in Christianity.
"The impact Father George Preca has made on Malta is astonishing," notes one website dedicated to him. "It is all the more so when we visualize the social background of the times when he emerged as a leader of the people. British Malta provided a climate that was far from congenial to originality and ingenuity. Ignorance, both intellectual and spiritual, was widespread with 75 percent of the population illiterate. The position of the Christian laity was an uncompromising adherence to all that the authorities decreed, without the intelligent discussions and dialogue characteristic of modern times. Towing the line was the order of the day in those late years of the 19th century, soon to be reborn into a new era. Few dared to burst open the cage-bars that surrounded the village life and customs - most preferred the easier way of doing as told. Among those who rose to lead and influence the lives, customs and principles of the Maltese people was a young and foresighted priest. 'Dun Gorg,' as he was amiably called, was in the hearts of all and his name resounds to this day. His influence on the spiritual life of the common people was radical and permanent."
Although, as always (in these "scientific" times), there is a de-emphasis on the supernatural as it intertwined with his life (and may thus have played a role in the new Rosary), from initial indications this was a man whose formulation of the Luminous Mysteries, like so many devotions (and as was the case with St. Dominic, when he formulated the Rosary), may have had a mystical origin. That's something we will try to ferret out. We can say this: Three saintly men, a Franciscan named Brother Diego Bonanno and two priests, Father Ercole Mompalao and Father Aloysius Galea (his spiritual director), seemed to have been inspired by God and foresaw what would happen in the not so distant future. "Father Mompalao's words, especially, were to prove wonderfully exact," notes the website. "'Preca,'" he said to George as a youth, 'you will grow up and will be befriended by people who respect God. You will be blessed because of them, and they because of you...'"
Blessed -- as in beatified!
Like Don Bosco, Father Preca was accused of being mad, and, like Saint Philip Neri, he was spoken of negatively for his acts of piety.
But like them, he also seemed to have gifts of the supernatural. Numerous were those who recounted extraordinary stories about him, and thus were ready to proclaim his holiness. "Some spoke of cures he had affected at a word or glance," says the website, "others of the mysterious power which passed from him to others at the touch of a hand, leaving them strangely calm and peaceful. Some said that he had foreseen the future, as when he prophesied the 1914 War a month in advance."
On waking up in the morning, Father Preca used to say Mass in his own house. "Those who had never seen him celebrating Mass cannot understand or appreciate the faith and love which he had for the Holy Eucharist," notes another website. "At times it took him between an hour and an hour and a half to celebrate Mass. He said the breviary very slowly, sometimes taking two hours at a stretch. He never repeated words during prayers and the length of time was due to reflection, and the tears and joy which he experienced at such a close encounter with God."
His death was likewise remarkable. During the summer of 1962 Father Preca had a serious bout of illness and at the time commented to a friend, "I was about to see Jesus, unexpectedly. If only you knew how happy I felt that I was going to see him! When he takes me, I will be very happy!" As his life was coming to its end, it is reported, Blessed Preca maintained his work and his total peace of mind. It's said that he felt so secure in God's hands that nothing could take away that tranquility.
"His death-bed became a pulpit. He talked about the glory of God and about honoring Our Lady. He was also asked about the imminent Vatican Council. He prayed earnestly that all the Churches would unite one day."
Then came July 26, which is the feast of Saint Anne -- to whom Blessed Preca had a great devotion and who Preca referred to as "Jesus's granny."
This was his last day on earth. It's reported that early in the morning Father Preca received Holy Communion and after the Eucharist remained in profound silence for some ten minutes.
No one dared break those sacred moments.
Then, suddenly, he was heard singing, "Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus .... Quoniam Tu solus Sanctus .... Tu solus Dominus .... Jesu Christe ...." ---"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to people of good will .... You are holy, you alone are Lord .... Jesus Christ."
It was his last hymn of praise to Jesus. His life had been one whole hymn of glory to God. Now from his deathbed, this man who lived as such an evangelist -- this man who would not compromise, and this man who apparently devised the new Rosary mysteries (in as yet mysterious circumstances) -- maintained his praises to God as he passed into everlasting glory.
Quite an interesting perspective on its origin.
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