Fr Michael Attard's legacy

On August 21 Malta commemorated the 30th anniversary of the death of Bishop Emanuel Galea. For sure the death of a learned, humble and holy priest is in itself a legacy to all. No doubt it has been a precious legacy also for another holy priest, Fr Michael Attard, who after a long illness died in Nadur a few weeks ago.

On his part this Gozitan priest has left another authentic legacy for Gozitans and Maltese priests and laity alike. His death came at a most propitious time, considering that the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, by means of their pastoral letter on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption, informed the faithful that an international congress of priests is to be held in Malta in October.

Fr Attard's ministry has been in perfect harmony with the theme of this congress: "Priests for the formation of Saints for the new millennium". Indeed this holy and totally dedicated Gozitian priest is a living example for all his brother-priests to strive to sainthood and to help others, priests, religious and laity, to become saints.

He certainly remains a glowing example of a faithful servant of the Lord. In his years of physical fitness and throughout his over six years of a crippling illness, he preached and practised the eternal truth that today, more than ever, the Church needs priests who love God more than themselves: priests, young and old, who seek the glory of the Lord more than their own, priests who, in good times and bad, dedicate themselves with all their time and energy, entirely to love and spread the Gospel, faithful to their promise to be of service and example to the people of God, any time and anywhere.

The ministers of the Lord cannot but follow in Fr Michael's footsteps by being endowed with mercy and humility, always conscious of their talents and weakness. Indeed, all priests should be ever so willing not only to proclaim the Good News by their words but also to witness it by their lifestyle.

As our bishops so aptly said in their pastoral letter, "we priests have the mission to form Christians to sanctity through our life. If priests are persons of faith, the people of God will find it easier to heed the call for sainthood".

The statement fitted Fr Attard to perfection. All those who came in contact with this exemplary priest, in Nadur or elsewhere, could not but feel the presence of an authentic man of God.

This holy priest had a great devotion to the Madonna ta' Pinu, a type of a genuine devotion which was not only the fruit of his intellectual talents but also of his great faith in the plans of God. In line with Pope John Paul II's teachings, Fr Attard considered Mary a "mother and educator of our priesthood".

As a genuine man of God, he was renowned for his magnanimity, for his great zeal and respect towards those in authority while he always had a priestly heart and a very friendly voice for those who did not have a voice.

A special message of his great legacy goes to all those who suffer. When the Lord gives us a cross we have to carry it and not drag it. One has to reflect till the very end that death is a gateway to a new life. Fr Michael Attard firmly believed that behind all suffering seen or experienced, we understand through our faith and our priestly hearts that from that suffering comes an increase of life in Christ.