Cospicua M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch

Bormla, the largest of the three cities, was the second locality having a branch of the Society of Christian Doctrine M.U.S.E.U.M. A great effort was made by the first Superior General Eugenio Borg, who worked as a pattern-maker at the Dockyard. Encouraged by the opening of the first Centre in Hamrun in March, 1907, and by the teachings he received from his close friend Dun George Preca, Eugenio really wanted to share this new experience with other people. During lunchtime at the Dockyard, he started teaching in Bormla shops where men used to gather and have lunch. In the evenings, he also taught in youth clubs, and started becoming familiar with the people of Bormla. In February 1908, Eugenio began to teach in Saint Michael Street (Triq San Mikiel), also known as Triq il-Kanal. Then, the meeting place became Saint Mary Street, (today known as Abram Gatt Street). The first local Superior was Gigi Vidal. At the time, Dockyard workers used to remain in Bormla during the week and then go back to their respective villages for the weekend; so people could attend for Catechism lessons.

Later on, the Bormla branch moved to other places such as Strada Buongiorno and Nelson Street. In 1918, the Superior was Rosario Maniscalco. Members from Bormla helped in the opening of other centres like the Naxxar M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch, Żejtun M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch, and Kalkara M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch. In the 1930s the number of members in Bormla was 24.

In 1931, Francesco Saliba, later the Superior General after Eugenio Borg, became the Superior for the next ten months. During the Second World War, when people were evacuated to other villages, some members from Bormla contributed in running other M.U.S.E.U.M. centres. Others remained in Bormla. In 1943, the Centre was in Saint Margaret Street and then in 1945 in St George’s Street.

In 1954 the Centre moved again to another location in Saint George’s Street. Joseph Zammit was the Superior between 1950 and 1975. A few years later, during the term of Superior Francis Felice, the Society acquired a house in Verdala Street which was then altered to become the actual M.U.S.E.U.M. Centre. After the necessary work which lasted for about two years, the new Centre was inaugurated in November 1994. Tarcisio Axiaq from Zabbar, was chosen as Bormla Superior after Francis Felice.

In the years 2000 and 2001 three new members from Cospicua were incorporated with the Society. Today, the M.U.S.E.U.M. in Bormla not only prepares infants for the first Sacraments, but also gives continuous formation to children and teenagers who attend everyday. Other religious activities are also organised throughout the year in the parish for the Catholic community.

The Bormla Parish is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and has a special connection with Saint George Preca. He often knelt to pray in front of the titular painting by Pietro Paolo Caruana. Once, he was inspired to write a special hymn called Vestis Honoris as he imagined the angels singing to Our Lady. The members of the Society in their respective Centres sing the Vestis Honoris on the 7th, 17th and 27th of every month. Dun Gorg also wished that a copy of the painting be installed in every centre of the Society.