Il-Poeta Can. Joe Mejlak

(15-10-1944 – 18-12-2008)

In the late hours of the morning of Thursday the 18^th of December, St George’s Parish of Victoria and the diocese of Gozo lost a son and a friend in the death of Canon Joe Mejlak. Known among all for his gentleness and unique sense of humour, Il-Kanonku as he is locally known passed away into eternal life just a week before the Christmas celebrations.

Joe Mejlak was born in St George’s Square in Rabat, Gozo on the 15^th October 1944, the nephew of the renowned poetess Mary Mejlak.  He attended the Primary School of Victoria and later on entered the Sacred Heart Seminary to study theology in preparation for the priesthood.  Mejlak was ordained by Bishop N. Cauchi at the Zebbug Parish Church on the 23^rd June 1973.  He celebrated his first solemn mass at St George’s Basilica on the 22^nd July 1973 and was installed as canon of St George’s Collegiate Parish Church in July 1976.  Through his various writings of both poetry and prose, Mejlak slowly established himself as one of Gozo’s most renowned poets.  Among his published anthologies are Ghanjiet ta’ Qalbi (1977), Rwiefen (2004) Dejjem f’Qalbna (2005) and Narcis u Gizimin (2005).  Mejlak excelled also in the writing of drama; he wrote a big number of plays to be executed on stage and other adaptations for the radio such as L-Akbar Grajja, Il-Martri ta’ Lydda, L-Gharajjes Imwieghda, Il-Qassis li Rebah and Rebbiegha Bla Ward.  He also wrote lyrics for a good number of popular hymns which are sung in various churches on the island of Gozo amongst them Georgius Natus Est with musical notes by Mro. Prof. Joseph Vella. Can. Mejlak was made an honorary member of the Ghaqda Poeti Maltin in 2007. Many plays of his were presented on the stage in the Oratorju Don Bosco or the Astra Theatre in Victoria and in other parishes around Gozo.  Canon. Joe Mejlak will also be remembered for his availability for hearing confession especially during the last few years when his health was deteriorating.  His funeral took place in St George’s Parish Basilica, Gozo on the Friday, 19^th December 2008; it was presided over by Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo; about seventy priests concelebrated at Mass.  E is sadly missed by Miss Consiglia Grech of Victoria who looked after him during his illness, his sisters Rose and Doris, his brother George, his family and friends amongst them his nephew Mgr. Alfred Xuereb who is Assistant-Private Secretary to HH Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.  His remains where interred in Santa Maria Addolarata Cemetery, limits of Victoria.  May his soul rest in peace!

Rev. Geoffrey G. Attard

Victoria, Gozo

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