Woah! This Maltese brother who narrowly escaped the Nazis in WWII is set to be beatified
Malta may be one step closer to getting a new saint! A Maltese member of the Lasallian brothers will be proclaimed as a ‘servant of God’ in the first step towards beatification.
Who was Bro. Louis Camilleri?
Bro. Louis Camilleri, who died aged 87 in 2011, narrowly escaped capture by the Nazis while attending his novitiate in France during World War II. He was the second of 11 siblings born to a working-class Zurrieq family. Brother Louis was also a dedicated teacher and long-serving headmaster at Stella Maris College, De La Salle College and St Benild’s School back in the day.
Brother Louis Camilleri fsc / Facebook
His narrow escape
Brother Louis was one of 12 Maltese novitiates who left Malta in May 1939 to study in France. War broke out in September, with eight of the novitiates dropping out to return home. By May 1940, the Germans’ campaign intensified, leading to the Nazi occupation of the northern part of France.
Brother Louis Camilleri fsc / Facebook
The four brothers who remained in France suffered food scarcity and malnutrition when the war was at its peak. The brothers feared being arrested by the Nazis who had their sights set on the community they were staying in. When the Nazis discovered that the brothers had British passports, they called the community house to ask after the Maltese brothers. Sensing more danger, it was decided that the brothers were to leave the house.
Two of the brothers, Edward and Anthony, boarded a train packed with German soldiers, having both British and Vichy French passports. Louis and Norbert fled with a false ID card to Lyon. It was a lucky escape, as no passengers were asked to submit documentation aboard their train.
Brother Louis Camilleri fsc / Facebook
The cause for beatification
On Sunday 31st March, Malta’s Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna will initiate the cause for the beatification at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The service will be led by Bro. Rodolfo Meoli, Postulator General of the Congregation of the Brothers of Christian Schools. This first step is conducted at Diocesan level, which will be followed by a conclusion by the Malta Diocese and later the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.