M.U.S.E.U.M. Ghaxaq
Dun Gorg, Triq San Bastjan,
Ghaxaq. VLT16
Malta

Tel: (+356) 21 80 25 01

Email: ghaxaq@sdcmuseum.org

Way back in November 1928, the first place where catechism could be taught (Museum) was established at No. 7, Church Street just at the side of the Parish Church. The first Superior was Mr. Toni Piscopo who came from the nearby village of Tarxien. After a short term the Museum was transferred to 151, St. Mary Street. Some years later the Museum had to move again: this time the plave was the ex-school of the Franciscan Sisters in St. Philip Street. At that time the two members who used to teach catechism were the Superior Messina and Mr. Ruzar Grech from Zejtun who was the second superior of the branch.

Due to the Second World War, in 1940, the Museum had to close down. It was only in 1953 when the Museum was re-opened. The acting Parish Priest Fr. Joseph Borg Bonavia, who was a close friend of the Founder Fr. George Preca, made a request to the Superior General Eugenio Borg to re-open the Museum in the village of Għaxaq. In the following year, in 1954, the Museum opened another branch at 39, St. Mary Street, this time as a branch of a nearby village named Zejtun. Mr. Frans Bartolo led this branch under the responsibility of the Zejtun Superior Mr. Carmelo Spiteri.

In 1956 this Żejtun branch became an autonomous entity again, just as it was before the Second World War, that is the 23^rd. branch in Malta. The first superior was Mr. Frans Bartolo from Zejtun who worked eagerly for the success of this Museum. In fact it reached its peak in the early 60s because it was full of youths especially in the senior classes. In these days, the Founder Fr. George Preca, used to visit this Museum frequently and at the same time he used to deliver spiritual talks known as ‘Sajdat’. In the 22^nd February 1960 the Founder himself presided at a Ceremony of Elects who were 25 in number. In the morning of that same day a ceremony of Candidates was held.

Since January 1965, the Museum started to use an old house in St. Sebastian Street. This old house was not adequate for the teaching of catechism, thus the ex-Franciscan School still had to be used. Thanks to Parish Priest Fr. Karm Zammit the Museum kept holding catechism lessons regularly. Superior Frans Camilleri led the Museum from 31^st. July 1961 to 21^st July 1968. For the next two years the Museum was led by Superior John Ruggier. Consequently on the 18^th of June 1970, the branch was under the guidance of Mr. Giovanni Grima of B’Bugia. By that time it was felt that a new place had to be constructed since the present building was still inadequate. Works started in November 1976 and catechism lessons had to be held at the Parish Hall. Fr. Karm Zammit blessed and laid the first stone of the chapel of the new building. Due to his continuous help and encouragement the works were brought to an end in early 1978.

On the 22^nd of May 1978 the new building started to operate regularly till the present time. In this period the Museum was led by Superior Carmelo Farrugia who remained in this position till the 10^th of July 1980. On 11^th of July 1980 Superior Amabile Carabott from Zejtun started to lead this Museum with the help of other members. On the 31^st of May 1982 Mgr. Lawrence Gatt opened officially and blessed the new Museum. On this occasion a program of activities was organised which included a thanksgiving mass which was celebrated by Mgr. Gatt himself.