Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia, tal-Vers (1852-1925) : illustrious Gozitan prelate

Abstract

Polymath; a person of much or varied learning; one acquainted with various subjects of study. This is how the Oxford Universal Dictionary defines the word 'polymath', and this is the precise word which we can attribute to the eminent figure of Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia, known locally as "Tal Vers". Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia was born in Victoria, Gozo on 2nd June 1852, the son of Pawlu and Maria nee Borg. He was baptised in the Parish Church of Saint George of Rabat, now a Collegiate Basilica, by the Archbishop of Victoria, Mgr. Michael Francesco Buttigieg, later to become first Bishop of the newly erected diocese of Gozo, and was given the names of Gorg, Guzeppi and Gwanni. He was then confirmed by Mgr D. Giuseppe Maria Bravi, Bishop of Ceylon, on 30th October 1856, when he was just four years old. This was something very common in those days. Since very young Farrugia showed extraordinary talents. When Pope Pius IX established Gozo as a separate diocese, he was chosen to read the address in honour of the new bishop Mgr. Michael Francesco Buttigieg, at the main square in Victoria, now called Independence Square, on 23rd October 1864. He was just 12 years old. It is recorded that when he finished reading the address, the people wanted to hear it once again, and Farrugia had to read it once again.