Rome, Italy, Jun 4, 2007 / 09:06 am
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.