Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/563633
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST 2015 News 3 TIM DIACONO THE beatification process of the late couple Henry and Inez Ca- solani commenced last night – making it the first time a Maltese couple is being considered for be- atification. The process started with a mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna at St Dominic Church in Rabat. Canon Etienne Sciberras served as postulator, formally requesting Scicluna to set up a beatification tribunal. He presented him with a list of 180 people who will be able to give witness about the couple to the Tribunal, along with 60 decla- rations taken under oath by people who have since died. Beatification is an act of the Pope who declares that a deceased per- son lived a holy life and is worthy of public veneration. It is a first step toward canonisation which would seal sainthood. The Casolanis follow in the foot- steps of two other Maltese people who have been beatified. Nazju Falzon was a Maltese cleric who was beatified in 2001 while Maria Adeodata Pisani, was a Maltese nun who was also beatified in the same year. Research into the couple's life started in 2000 under Stephanie Quintano, with the Vatican start- ing to look into the case in 2010. Henry Casolani was born in Val- letta in 1917 and married Inez nee Vassallo in 1944. They bore one child, Cecilia, who became a Sister of St Joseph of the Apparition. At the start of the Second World War, he was seconded with the Royal Army Medical Corps. After- wards, he found employment as a senior draughtsman at the Malta Public Works Department – a po- sition he maintained until his re- tirement in 1977. At 38, he was diagnosed with dia- betes, which eventually led to loss of sight. His recovery in 1992 from blindness brought about by diabe- tes, stumped medical experts. The Curia described him as "ex- ceptionally virtuous, honest, un- selfish and good-humoured". "Henry was considered by all those who knew him as an agent of peace, who was capable of building bridges among his colleagues at his work place. Henry regularly used to lead his friends into prayer and reminded them of their religious duties," the Curia said. "He never held a grudge against anyone and neither did he ever speak ill of others. It was with kind- ness and affection that he treated those who were unjust with him. Whenever he went out, Henry al- ways carried money specifically to donate to those who collected for charity or who asked for help." He died towards the close of the millennium, on 29 December, 1999. The very last words he ut- tered in a most clear yet imploring tone were, 'Mother of God, have mercy on me.' Inez Casolani was born in Cos- picua in 1915. She was a qualified teacher, but gave up her profession when she got married in order to dedicate herself totally to her fam- ily. Yet she continued giving pri- vate lessons to the poor and the needy as she had often done before marriage. The Curia described her as "a kind-hearted, generous and sin- cere woman, who loved and helped anyone who needed her." "Her concern was to give rather than to receive," the Curia said. "A woman of faith she trusted God totally. In spite of difficulties, she never lost heart. Her life was a con- tinuous prayer. God was always in her heart and on her lips. She could not and would not offend God." In her later years, Inez suffered from tinnitus, arthritis, shingles in the head and severe heart trouble. After being diagnosed with diabe- tes, Inez wrote: "I thank God for this new bouquet. These are the marvels of life. I am in His Hands, and I accept all He sends me joy- fully." She died on 13 July, 1992. First step on road to sainthood for dedicated Maltese couple The late loving couple Inez and Henry Casolani on the way to sainthood