About Fr Pius Sammut, OCD

Father Pius from the outside I was born one morning on the 26th September 1948 in a family of four in B'kara, Malta. I am the second eldest. Two boys and two girls. My father worked in the Drydocks, Public Lotto and was for many years a director of a classical music orchestra, my mother is a housewife. I did my elementary and high school education in Malta, Government School in B'kara and Lyceum Hamrun respectively. Between 1965 and 1967, as part of my priestly formation, I followed a course in philosophy in the Carmelite College at Boars Hill, Oxford, England obtaining the diploma in Philosophy. Between 1967 and 1972, I specialized in theological studies at the Pontifical Faculty 'Teresianum' in Rome, Italy obtaining the Licentiate in Sacred Theology. Then followed a one year course in religious education as part of my post-graduate studies at the Lumen Vitae Institute in Bruxelles, Belgium. I joined the Discalced Carmelite Order in 1964, when I was sixteen years old, and was ordained a priest in 1973. Now have been a Carmelite for 34 years. In December 1973, I started my Neocatechumenal Way in the parish 'Immaculate Conception' Hamrun, Malta. I have catechized in Malta, Ireland, Italy, and USA. In Malta I exercised my ministry in various areas, specializing mainly in religious education for adults, retreats and spiritual direction. Between 1976 and 1983 was employed as a teacher in the State High Schools. Between 1984 and 1994 I was appointed provincial superior of the Carmelite Order in Malta and had extensive contacts with missionary work in many countries. Since 1994 I have been working in different areas within the Catholic Church in Canada and USA. I am now living in our Carmelite parish at Saint Andrew's, London Ontario, Canada.

PHOTO - Father Pius smiling in a meeting of the Discalced Carmelite superiors with Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1991. PHOTO - A young me meets a young Pope. This was my first 'close encounter' with the Pope - such a towering figure in the history of the Church and of the world; imbued with the Pauline quality to forge fearlessly ahead. At the time I was an itinerant presbyter in Ireland within the neo-catechumenal way. The Pope had a special meetingwith the catechists and brethren of the Neo-catechumenal Way and we were introduced personally to the Pope. Year 1983.

Father Pius on the inside As one philosopher wisely put it, 'man is a bundle of contradictions'. Cannot help but agreeing with him. Deeply sinful yet God has showered love and love and more love on me. Amazing, amazing grace indeed... "He must increase and I must decrease."

My dad and mum - Anthony and Maria Pia. My dad was a dedicated father and an extremely generous and kind hearted man. He was a great musician. He passed away in October 1991 while I was celebrating mass in honor of Our Lady. A co-incidence? My mum is a quiet, sweet woman full of charm and discretion. She lives in B'kara.

We are four in the family. My elder brother Victor is married to Doreen and they have two children, Herbert and Anabel. He is a real gentle-man, very caring and very compassionate. He is the Honorary Secretary of the German-Maltese Circle. My sister Louise is married to Mario and they have four children, Antoniella, Paulette, Alan and Josef. She is an extremely giving person always ready to help out whenever and wherever there is a need. My younger sister (the one holding the baby) is Michelle. She is married to Ronnie and they havethree children, Gilbert, Jeremy and Therese-Anne. A very positive person, she is a real gentle and tender woman. God has been very kind in giving me such a caring family.

Nieces and nephews with Dad and Mum. My nephews and nieces with my dad and mum in our living room. A photo taken in 1990. There is only one niece missing - Therese Anne. She was still with her angels in heaven. All of them now are older and more lovely!