Fr. Sebastian Camilleri OFM from Ħamrun, aged 95, has passed away peacefully this morning 10th February 2017, at Mater Dei hospital, comforted by the rites of Holy Catholic Church.

The funeral leaves Mater Dei hospital on Monday 13th of February, at 8.00am to the Franciscan Friary in Carmel Street, Sliema where at 9.15am the funeral cortege will proceed to Sacro Cuor Parish, Sliema for the funeral Mass presente cadavere at 9.30am followed by internment at the Franciscan Chapel in the Santa Marija Adolorata Cemetry. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.

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Born in Ħamrun, Malta on the 31st of December, 1921, son of Carmelo and Angela nee’ Gatt, Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM, was a Maltese Franciscan priest who rendered 50 years of successful pastoral work as chaplain of the Maltese migrants in the US, Canada and Australia.

Fr Camilleri who had an M.A. and a Ph.D. apart from tutoring experience, was an author of several books, and his articles being of a theological and liturgical nature, were published in the cultural-religious magazine AD 2000. He made an honourable name for himself and for the Maltese Franciscan Province of St. Paul the Apostle, Malta.

In 1981, Fr. Sebastian was one of the first to be honoured with the Order of Australia Medal and, in 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination, he was presented by the South Australian government with the singular Gold Medal for outstanding services to the local multicultural Church and society. Fr Camilleri excelled as a model Maltese Franciscan priest overseas among migrants, as a worthy ambassador of Malta and as an asset to the Catholic Church.

On his return to Malta he formed part of the Franciscan Fraternity of Sacro Cuor, Sliema and was spiritual assistant of the Piccola Famiglia Francescana. He was also Spiritual Director of the Parish Legion of Mary group and religious counsellor in different catholic schools. He was the first friar to be admitted to Domus Pacis Franciscan Retirement Friary in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq on the 31st of January 2015.