|
MALTA
|
21.04.2001 |
After finishing his studies, Nazju started to face the problems of daily life. He chose for himself a program of holiness which was based chiefly on the virtues of humility and love of neighbor. All who knew Nazju could say about him that "he worked for the glory of God". Nazju used to help financially those who were in need, even before being asked to do so. At that time, poverty was quite common, because no form of social assistance or social benefits existed.
Fr. Corbett says: "His love towards the poor did not know any limits. His charity was so great that on one occasion his brothers chided him in my presence, saying that his prodigality was ruining the family. He humbly answered: 'Dear brothers, I never give away one coin, which does not belong to me; nor do I give from the goods of the family"'.
However, he took great pains to conceal all his good deeds from the eyes of inquisitive people, because he was very careful not to yield to the temptation of pride.
Count George Sant Fournier says: " Nazju asked me to help financially a Jew who had become a Catholic. I used to pay his rent as long as he remained in Malta. When he had to go away, I paid the expenses of his voyage."
Several priests used to write to Nazju, asking him to help people in need. Moreover, Nazju often gave legal advice free of charge.
Although coming from a well-to-do family and of a high social standing, Nazju used to shun the vanities of the world. He led a rather secluded life and went out-of-doors only to fulfil his duties and to carry out apostolic activities.
Following the custom of the day, like other clerics, he did not go to work or even practice his profession as a lawyer, but dedicated himself to living a truly devotional life. He used to spend the morning hours and quite some time in the afternoon and evening in the private chapel which his family had at home. Visitors to his family noticed that Nazju used to perform acts of mortification and that he was very sparing in his food and drink. Lawrence Galea who stayed in Nazju's home for 8 years, says: "He often fasted on other days besides the days of fasting established by the Church." He also manifested poverty in his dress and was very fond of wearing the clerical habit.
The virtue of humility was very prominent in his life. Fr. John Galea Muscat says: He blushed whenever he was shown appreciation or was praised by others. He affirmed he was a poor sinner and he attributed to God all his good qualities."
 Return to Nazju Falzon's main page
|
