Nazju Falzon

Blessed Nazju Falzon
Born	July 1, 1813 Valletta
Died	July 1, 1865 Valletta
Honored 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 priest who was beatified in 2001.

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.

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.

Nazju Falzon died on his 52nd birthday. 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.

References

• CatholicForum page

Persondata
Name	Falzon, Nazju
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 1, 1813
Place of birth	Valletta
Date of death	July 1, 1865
Place of death	Valletta