Nazju Falzon
| Blessed Nazju Falzon | |
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Nazju Falzon
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| Born | July 1, 1813 Valletta, Malta |
| Died | July 1, 1865 Valletta, Malta |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | May 9, 2001 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | July 1 |
Blessed Ignatius (Known locally as Nazju) Falzon (July 1, 1813 – July 1, 1865) was a Maltese cleric who was beatified in 2001.
History
Falzon was born to Francis Joseph Falzon, a judge, and Mary Teresa Falzon, the daughter of a judge. He had three brothers; all four became lawyers, and two of the brothers entered the priesthood. Nazju Falzon himself received minor orders at 15, and earned his degree in theology. He taught catechism to local children.[1]
Falzon also worked with the British soldiers and sailors who were stationed on Malta, a British protectorate. He would seek out the men at the places to which they were assigned. Those who were interested were brought to his own home for services. As more grew interested, he was forced to move, finding a new home for his work at a Jesuit church in Valletta. Falzon imported simple texts in various vernacular languages, distributing them to his flock to read; he was also a writer, responsible for The Comfort of the Christian Soul. He became a mentor to those who remained on the island, serving them as pastor and performing marriages, baptisms, and funerals.[2]
Nazju Falzon died on his 52nd birthday, and is buried in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in the Church of the Franciscan Friars Minor, Mary of Jesus, Valletta.[3]
Veneration
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001—the beatification miracle involved the complete healing, in 1981, of a man stricken with cancer.[4]
Franciscan Fr. Marjan Vella wrote a biography of Blessed Nazju Falzon, Glorja tal-Kleru Malti.[5]
