An inlaid nameplate within the console of this organ bears the name of the builder (Vincenzo MASCIONI), the date of construction (1959), the Opus number (764) and the location of the Mascioni factory (Cuvio <Varese>).

Mascioni is one of the most renowned Italian organ building firms. It has built many organs outside of the Italian territory, twelve of which are in the Maltese Islands.

The organ at St.Mark’s church is a very fine example of Italian organ building of its time. The vast majority of the parts, even electrical coils for solenoids, were manufactured in-house. The craftsmanship is excellent in all the various parts of the organ, from the bellows, to the windchests, the console, electro-mechanical apparatus and pipework. It is a fine instrument throughout.

Throughout the years since its installation, this organ had been well maintained by Rev. Fr. Michael D’Amato, but by 2015 there were severe signs of wear-and-tear that needed to be addressed, and other issues. Since the latest intervention by Fr D’Amato had been in 1995, the time was ripe for a full restoration of all the organ components in order to bring the organ to its best possible condition and long-term reliability. The idea of performing ‘patch-work’ was not reasonable.  

Restoration work started in August 2020 and was completed in July 2021. It was carried out by Robert Buhagiar B.Eng(Hons), an engineer and a warranted restorer in the field of pipe-organ restoration. He got his organbuilding training at the Mascioni firm, and was therefore the best choice for this organ’s restoration. He had already restored four other Mascioni organs with excellent results.

The restoration works were carried out in full respect of the original characteristics of the organ. No modifications were carried out to the transmission or tonal aspect. All the components of the organ were restored as necessary. The three bellows were completely re-leathered, all leather pouches were replaced, all pneumatic-motors were re-leathered, all electric contacts cleaned and regulated, all pipework cleaned and repaired, all electro-mechanical systems regulated, and finally all pipework revoiced and tuned. In addition to the above-mentioned ‘functional’ works, works of an aesthetic nature were also carried out, namely the repainting of all façade pipes, and the french-polishing (shellac-based) of the console cabinet including the bench and complete pedalboard.

This Mascioni organ, though not yet a historic organ, will see an increase in appreciation because of the evident intrinsic quality in all aspects of its construction. The restoration works just concluded have respected these aspects and helped in preserving the organ for future generations while allowing the current generation to enjoy its musical qualities.

Robert Buhagiar

Pipe Organ Builder and Restorer

On Monday 19 July at about 7 p.m. the Augustinian friars gathered together again for a moment of prayer at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Tarxien and then continued to enjoy each other's presence by eating together at the courtyard of the Augustinian Oratory Dun Ġwann Mamo. It was an informal and wonderful time in which the friars were able to get together for a long time because of the pandemic!

During the month of July, a number of activities were organised with adolescents and youths with a view to getting to know themselves and what there is in their hearts.

Risk it! Was the chosen theme for the Tagaste Youth with a strong invitation not to be afraid to move forward in their life and to live a life based on their faith with more conviction.

Hagan Lio! Make your voices heard! This is a phrase used by Pope Francis when he addressed youths and which was a challenge proposed to Augustinian Youths not to be afraid to make their voices heard and to be a living presence full of enthusiasm in our society.

An experience of volunteering differently

Augustinian Youths had a different experience by visiting the Dar tal-Kleru (the home for aged members of the clergy). On Sunday 11th July these youths animated the Eucharist with the residents of that home who, afterwards, were given a small gift (wooden coaster) prepared by the youths themselves.

Matthew Xuereb, a member of Augustinian Youths, shares with us his experience:

“In today’s world, as we proceed in life, it has become easy to forget those around us. We are so lost and immersed in what we are going through from one thing to another, that we tend to forget others around us who feel they are alone. We forget that there are many persons, especially aged ones, who live in homes for residents who have no contact with the outside world.

Fortunately, however, along with my Augustinian Youths friends, we had the oppotunity of visiting the residents at the Dar tal-Kleru, where we met aged priests who reside there. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Sunday Mass with them and the activity closed when we distributed, to each of the residents, wooden coasters as a gift of our visit. These were made by each and every member of our group and were personalised.”

Tagaste Youths offered some hours during the morning of Saturday 24 July by participating in Caritas’ project “Itma u Libbes” (feed and dress) which involved sorting out clothing that had been collected. This was a different experience that helped these adolescents appreciate more what they themselves had whilst at the same time having cognizance of the needs of others.

Formation meeting on the beginning of life by See Life

On Friday 23 July the group See Life, made up of youths who have at hearts life, was invited to share their ideas and reflections on the beginning of life. This was an opportunity for adolescents and youths to ask questions and to discuss their thoughts and beliefs.

Moments together

Notwithstanding the situation caused by the pandemic, Augustinian Youths and Tagaste Youths had the opportunity of spending a number of hours together through these different activities. Tagaste Youths continued to get to know the Pieta’ community by spending some time at the convent during lunchtime and also in the course of other activities.

Fr Terence Spiteri osa

On Wednesday 7 July 2021 the 10^th meeting of prospective members who will be forming part of the new Lay Augustinian Fraternity of the Augustinian Province was held. The previous meetings were held online. This was the first time that these prospective members of the Fraternity were able to meet physically. Also invited to this meeting were members of the Provincial Commission of Lay Augustinians who had taken the initiative to start the process for the setting up of this Fraternity.

The meeting was held at The Word Meditation Garden of the Millennium Chapel. Also present for the meeting were Prior Provincial Leslie Gatt and Fr. Lucjan Borg, ex-Prior Provincial and presently a missionary in Cuba. The meeting commenced with the Evening Prayer, where we prayed not only with the Psalms, but also through various reflections on the writings of St. Augustine. Those present also made spontaneous prayers.

After this prayer meeting, those present shared a meal together so as better to get to know one another. We thank God for this pleasant meeting together.

Fr. Franco Grech OSA