Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro osa

When were you born and where did you live? 

I was born on 28 October 1934 at Tarxien and was brought up there during the bombing of World War II.

Where did you receive your primary; secondary and post-secondary education? 

At the local primary school and at the Lyceum until 1950. After that I started my novitiate in Gozo when I was 16 years of age.

When did you feel the call for a vocation with the Augustinians and what brought this about? 

Fr. Egidio galea OSA used to give me lessons in Latin and I admired the Augustinian Friars at Tarxien who were welcomed by the community. From then onwards I kept searching for and discovering what God wanted from me!

What do you like doing in your free time? 

I read a lot; swim; play the piano and watch football!

Can you mention an interesting book you read? What was the subject matter? 

The last beautiful book I read (twice) was entitled ‘Alive in God’ written by Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP (ex-Provincial General of the Dominicans) and I also enjoyed re-reading Dostojevski’s ‘Crime and Punishment’.

Do you have a favourite quotation/saying? 

I have a number of favourite quotations from St. Augustine’s writings but the one I value very much is what Nelson Mandela said on being released after 28 years in prison i.e. ‘As I walked out of the door of prison towards my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind me, I would still be in prison.’

What does being an Augustinian mean to you?

The fact that I have always been close to the people, poor and rich, I feel like St. Augustine.

The Augustinian Charism in today’s world

It is love. The emblem of the Augustinian Order is the burning heart.

Who is the Augustinian for you?

One who loves life and wants to live it in its “fullness with Christ” not alone but with others, both within and outside the community.

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