Dun Ġużepp Cauchi: a humble priest with an enduring legacy

The small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows at Taż-Żejt Cemetery in Għarb contained, in grave number 5, the remains of three priests from San Lawrenz. According to the parish registers, these were identified as Dun Karm Mizzi, who died on September 17, 1940; Dun Ġużepp Cauchi, who died on August 13, 1955; and Dun Lawrenz Gauci, who died on March 19, 1964.

Dun Ġużepp was born in the village of San Lawrenz and lived a humble life of penance. He had great faith in the Holy Eucharist and in God’s providence. He used to spend many hours assisting the dying. His advice, formed in the light of faith, helped many people through times of difficulty.

A colour portrait of Dun Ġużepp Cauchi by Paul Camilleri Cauchi

An original photo of Dun Ġużepp Cauchi.

Despite the fact that he used to fast from midnight until he received Holy Communion, he still would accept to say mass at midday in other parishes. He often used to pray to Jesus to allow him to participate further in his suffering on the Cross.

Besides his daily fasting, he spent entire nights praying. He lived a life of physical mortification, including wearing the ċilizzi, which today are displayed in his house, which, since 1985, has been transformed into a place of prayer.

In spite of all this, an anonymous report to the Church authorities tainted his priestly reputation and he was harshly chastised and even forbidden to carry out his priestly duties for a period of time.

Dun Ġużepp bore this cross without any resentment towards those who accused him unjustly or towards God for allowing him to be sent down a painful path. This difficult period led him to mortify himself even further to detach himself from anything of worldly value and making his humble heart suffer greatly.

Ever since his death, which occurred on August 13, 1955, Dun Ġużepp has continued to be revered and remembered as a holy man and graces are often attributed to his intercession before God. Thus, in 2001, Can. Michael Borg, then parish priest of San Lawrenz, petitioned the Gozo Curia to carry out an exhumation of his remains for these to be transferred to the new cemetery at San Lawrenz.

Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, Vicar General of the Gozo diocese, certifying the exhumation 25 years ago, while Dr Anthony Abela Medici (third from left) and St Lawrence parish priest Can. Michael Borg (right) look on.

After clearance from the Curia, Dr Anthony Abela Medici was appointed and, on July 2 and 3, 2021, carried out this exhumation, assisted by three other members of the forensic section and pathologist Maurice Cauchi, under the supervision of Mgr Giovanni B. Gauci, vicar general and Gozo bishop’s delegate, and Can. Borg, parish priest of San Lawrenz.

Also present were the present author, as secretary of the Commission for the Remembrance of Dun Ġużepp Cauchi, Marija Cauchi, Dun Ġużepp’s niece, and other relatives.

After the exhumation, his remains were preserved in a glass coffin which was sealed with the Curia’s seal by Mgr Gauci and placed in another wooden coffin.

On July 8, the remains of Dun Ġużepp and the other two priests were transported in two hearses from Għarb’s Taż-Żejt Cemetery to the main square in San Lawrenz. From there they were carried shoulder high in a procession down to the new cemetery led by Can. Borg, the clergy and the community of San Lawrenz. There they were met by then Gozo bishop Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, who led a concelebrated mass and other prayers prior to the interment of the remains.

Since then, this extraordinary event has been commemorated annually on July 8 with the celebration of mass at San Lawrenz cemetery and by the publication of books featuring his spiritual writings and sermons.

To commemorate this event, in the Gozo bishop’s absence, Mgr Tarcisio Camilleri, Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy, will preside a solemn thanksgiving concelebration tomorrow, July 2 at 7pm, at San Lawrenz parish cemetery.

A reproduction of the text of the document certifying the exhumation 25 years ago, carrying the seal of the Gozo Curia and the signatures of those present.