Today, May 9, is the memorial of Saint George Preca.
Carmelite tertiary.
George Preca is best known for composing the Mysteries of Light or Luminous Mysteries in 1957. That year, the society he founded marked its golden anniversary. Instead of a pompous celebration, George decided that 1957 should see the members in greater intimacy with God. He suggested the idea of adding five mysteries to the Rosary, for the members’ private use. These mysteries became public in an article published in 1973.
George was born in 1880 in Malta to parents Vincent and Nathalie. As was the customs of the times, the young George joined the Carmelite Family by being enrolled in the Scapular. As a young man he felt called to the priesthood.
In 1918, George became a Third Order Carmelite at the church of Santa Venera. He joined the Third Order in 1918 and made his profession the following year. At his profession he took the name of “Franco”, after the Carmelite Blessed Franco of Siena.
He considered himself a true Carmelite. Numerous times in his writings he referred to himself a Carmelite and used the name he took at his profession as a Tertiary rather than his own name. In 1952, in recognition of his untiring efforts to spread devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, George was affiliated to the Order.
George’s efforts in educating the working class was so revolutionary that people thought he was insane. He became even more controversial when he wanted to educate lay men and women, and send them out to proclaim God‘s word anywhere that would listen.
His initiatives produced society catechist centers in parishes, education for the young and the old, and children’s havens. His pastoral mission saw him serving as in-demand preacher and confessor.
In 1952, Venerable Pope Pius XII named George as a Monsignor. The same Pope even named George a Privy Chamberlain or a Chaplain of His Holiness, who are privileged enough to wear certain ecclesiastical vestments. George was embarrassed by the titles; he never wore those special vestments nor did he even get the official document from the archbishop’s office.
He died of natural causes at age 82 in 1962. Pope St. John Paul II beatified George in 2001. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him in 2007.