BroLouisCamilleri-His Life

Anthony Camilleri was born in Zurrieq on 1st September 1923. He was the second child from eleven children born to Emmanuel and Karmena Camilleri. He lived with his family in Zurrieq, where they ran a family business. His parents were from a working-class family with a strong religious conviction. His mother was an exemplary catholic person who never missed going to Mass every day until she became home-bound. Both his parents believed in Christian values which they lived and eventually passed on to their children. In spite of the fact that the family was rather poor, his mother sponsored two seminarians to the priesthood.

Anthony attended state school as the parents could not afford to pay for private education. In the evenings he attended the MUSEUM centre in Zurrieq. It was at this time that he came to know St. George Preca and became very fond of his teaching. After spending some years at De La Salle college in Cottonera, in 1937 when only 14 years old, he decided to join the De La Salle brothers and left Malta together with an other student (Bro. Norbert Farrugia) to continue his studies and religious formation in France. He started his postulancy first in Avignon, then Pibrac, (near Toulouse) and the last three years in St. Maurice l’Exil (a Lasallian Institution) north of Avignon.

The outbreak of World War II did not deter him, nor did the occupation of Vichy France by the Nazis in November 1942. He was determined to proceed with his Lasallian studies even when the Gestapo went to enquire about the Maltese brothers, including himself, at St Maurice L’Exil. Because of these circumstances together with Bro. Norbert he was sent to the South at Caluire, in Lyons where he resumed his studying, albeit frequently interrupted by Allied air raids. Several years later, Bro. Louis returned to France to sit for the C.E.S. French Certificate and later on also sat for the London University Matriculation.

He took his annual vows in August 1941 and his final vows on Easter Sunday 1948. Bro. Louis then returned to Malta, to De La Salle College in Vittoriosa. At the time the school lacked certain comodities. The upper floor of the building housed the community of brothers; in rooms with the minimum of necessities. The clothes that he used to receive from his family, were often given away to poor people that he knew.

His greatest contribution as a teacher then, was towards the Dockyard Apprentices Courses, which at that time proved very popular and gained the College a reputation that was crowned with huge successes. Bro. Louis became headmaster of De La Salle College in 1968. At this time the College had a flourishing Boarding Section, housed in the west wing of the College. It was during his time that the building of the new Boarders’ quarters commenced and soon after inaugurated.

After his term as Director and headmaster, Bro. Louis was assigned to Stella Maris College in Gzira in July 1971. The following year, in September 1972, he was appointed sub-Director of Stella Maris College. In the same year the Sixth Form Course was set up under his guidance and supervision.

In the early 1980’s he was named Provincial of the Sub-Province of Malta. Bro. Louis’ great achievements that gained him recognition at Institute level was the setting up of the ‘Signum Fidei’ fraternity. He was its moderator until his death on 29 May 2011.

During his life Bro. Louis had embraced strong christian values and was a true son and follower of St. John Baptist De La Salle. He had a sincere devotion to St. Joseph as paternal father of Jesus and dedicated his projects at Stella Maris College to him. He also had a special devotion to Mary and everyday he used to spend his afternoons meditating the rosary. The Holy Eucharist was his spiritual fullfilment and it was known that during the night he often used to visit the Chapel in the brother’s House and spent time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During later years of his life as a brother he was in constant dialogue with God and this was evidenti from the endless prayers and reflections that he used to write almost every day of his life. The prayers that he wrote in the last year of his life are an authentic witness to his union with God and of his deep desire to live in God’s Holy Presence.

Throughout his life he worked tirelessly at both De La Salle College and Stella Maris College to keep the schools in line with the times. He was instrumental in the teaching of new and innovative subjects like technical design and computer studies and was always ahead in the field of education. His last project was the Saint Joseph project at Stella Maris College. He then dedicated his time to the spirituality of the Institute followed by setting up the Signum Fidei group.

Bro. Louis Camilleri F.S.C. passed away, after feeling unwell, on Sunday 29th May, 2011.

In his homily at the funeral Mass, Fr Jesmond Grech, Community Chaplain, delivered a most fitting tribute to Bro Louis’ life and realizations, a true testament of the high esteem that Bro. Louis enjoyed with all and sundry. The College Hall was packed to capacity. The congregation was headed by Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca, Bishop Annetto Depasquale, members of Parliament, parents, students, former students and Signum Fidei members.

In his Annual Christmas Pastoral Letter of 2011 to the brothers, Superior General Bro. Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria wrote a fitting tribute to Bro. Louis. Here is an extract from this tribute:

“In him we can also see an icon of the faithful steward of God’s grace, as his former students remember him. Throughout his long life he was a tireless worker in the apostolate and he showed a deep love for his vocation as a brother and for the vitality of the Institute. He carried this out as he responded to the signs of the times and even at an advanced age he made great strides in the area of association as a creator and leader of lay Lasallian communities made up of teachers, parents and former students. He stayed active until the final days of his long life, devoting his time to organizing retreats, meetings with students, former students and married couples. As an enthusiastic teacher, he was one of those teachers students never forgot, and he was able to instill the desire to learn. He knew how to teach French or history with the same passion with which he worked with students in caring for the school's garden and he never missed an opportunity to invite students to participate in the life of the school. He was supportive of all school events which promoted the unity of the educational community and of adopting whatever new initiative that would improve the training of students”.

“Bro. Louis was known by all for his deep spirituality and his great human qualities. He was everything we think of when we hear the term ‘spiritual guide’. The wisdom and experience accumulated during his many years made him a point of reference and an invaluable counselor for young people and adults as well; he was a person who, above all, knew how to listen. His life was a lesson, a prayer, a presence that was close to God”.

All who knew Bro. Louis will tell you that he was a living witness to his faith and to his Religious consecration. He was very humble and unassuming, but with an extraordinary desire to be of service to all especially students and their parents.

When anyone asked for his advice Bro. Louis would choose his words carefully and meticulously in all charity. He would spend hours counseling and helping those who sought his advice. He seldom complained and never spoke ill of anyone. He was thoroughly devoted to his vocation and sincerely loved his students and made great effort to help them and teach them about Christ Crucified and the Blessed Sacrament. His life was a perfect example of what a true and dedicated Lasallian should be. Many Lasallian former students recall passionately about the way Bro. Louis touched their hearts. Bro. Louis left his mark on all who came in contact with him, wherever he went and in whatever capacity as a true living saint and a ‘true disciple of St John Baptist de La Salle’.