St George Preca's relationship with God in 'Sitt Apostrofi lil Alla'

Abstract

In the last Supper, 'the Voice of the Beloved' prayed to God for his disciples and said: "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This prayer was adopted also by St George Preca. God was so precious for St George Preca that he wanted God to be known and loved. In fact this is the meaning of the word M.U.S.E.U.M: 'Master, may the whole world follow your Gospel.' Keith Farrugia and Randolph Peresso, in their dissertation Dokumenti mill-gazzetti Maltin Ii jikkontribwixxu dwar Dun Gorg Preca (1962-1975), wrote that: "Many declared that Fr George was close to Christ, that those who come close to him will come closer to Christ as well." Dun Gorg always started his day retreats, by uttering these words: "God and nothing else." His face used to brighten up every time he spoke about God. Preca's oneness with God motivated me to write this dissertation. This dissertation aims to study in detail the theme of St George Preca's relationship with God, by giving importance to its depth and breath, seen especially in the booklet Sitt Apostrofi Iii Alla written by St. George himself. I intend making a study of this material in order to bring out, as much as possible, the way St George viewed his relationship with God. I will be making cross-references to other writings of St George Preca which will enlighten the subject under study. I will examine a person's relationship with God. This is seen in Chapter 1, where I will discuss the call every human being receives to form a close relationship with God, since God created the human being in his image.8 One builds up a relationship with God through prayer, exclusion of sin, detachment from created things, mastering of thoughts, submission to God's will, having the right intention (acting to please and to glorify God), and sustaining the theological virtues. Saints, like St John of the Cross and St Theresa of Avila, are role model for Christians. It is important to see also the special relationship St George Preca had with God. The perspective of Chapter 2 is Preca's nothingness and God's greatness. St George Preca is aware of his nothingness compared to God. He saw God as the Creator of all; everything comes from him, everything through him and everything for him. It is God who created the human being and gave him freedom. However, St George Preca felt that he was weak and could easily sin, so he needed God. Without Him, Preca was nothing. He ended by giving thanks to God for his everlasting love and pleaded with God to forgive him because he sometimes did not do God's will but his. Chapter 3 explores St George's unity with God. St George Preca acknowledged God's Omnipotence, Wisdom and Providence. God deserves all the glory and honour. Preca rejoiced and was glad when he was in God's presence. He was grateful to the Lord. St George Preca's desire was to be kept in God's hands and to live with Him, for Him and in Him. His unity with God is impressive.