Fr Mark Cauchi, OSA, celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood with a thanksgiving Mass at St Augustine’s parish church, Valletta, on the solemnity of the Epiphany.

Fr Cauchi, of Cospicua, joined the Augustinian Friars in 1946 and spent his novitiate year at St Augustine’s in Victoria.

A year later, he made simple vows and started his curriculum studies at St Mark’s Philosphical-Theological College in Rabat. On February 5, 1950, he made his Solemn Profession at St Mark’s.

He was ordained priest by Archbishop Michael Gonzi at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, on December 20,1952.

Fr Cauchi served the Augustinian monasteries of the Maltese Province in Malta and abroad.

He spent 15 years doing missionary work in North Africa, helped the Italian Augustinians in Switzerland at the Fondazione Sisto Hospital Poschiavo, Milan, Tolentino and Catania.

He was master of novices and chaplain of the Augustinian cloistered nuns of St Catherine’s in Valletta.

Besides pastoral work, he also taught French and Latin at St Augustine’s College in Valletta and Pietà.

Fr Cauchi is a Grenoble University alumnus, having obtained a diploma in French literature, language, methodology and translation.

For many years he was the Augustinian Maltese Province archivist.

He published several books on the Maltese Augustinians as well as others on the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

The Italian comune of Valverde, Catania, bestowed honorary citizenship on Fr Cauchi for his contribution to literature and thematic, religious, historic and political fields.

The thanksgiving Mass was animated by the Tota Pulchra Choir of Cospicua. Canticles from Mozart and Marco Fizina featured in the repertoire sang during Mass.