During his last years, Professor Alexander Bonnici, a Franciscan Minor Conventual, produced on "Radju Marija" a series of live programmes called "Ġrajjiet il-Knisja ta' Kristu", regarding the history of the Catholic Church. However during the last week of July, he recorded what became eventually his last programme. During this programme he spoke of the African Continent, especially about St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of Church. He stated that he recorded this programme and not performed it live as usual, as he intended to visit Tunisia the week after, when the programme was usually aired, to study more in detail the life and times of St. Augustine. This trip was to be his last.
On Tuesday July 25, 2006, Fr. Alexander died unexpectedly whilst in Tunisia. His body was flown back to Malta on Sunday, July 30, and taken to the mortuary of St. Luke's Hospital. On Tuesday, August 1, his casket was taken to the Sanctuary of St. Francis at Rabat, where Fr. Alexander lived and worked for nearly forty years and a cortege from the named Sanctuary proceeded at 9 am., to St. Paul's Parish Church, where funeral Mass was concelebrated by 75 Presbyters. Fr. Bonnici was later buried in one of the vaults of the Franciscan Conventual Friars at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
Born in Floriana, Malta, on January 28, 1936, Fr. Alexander Bonnici published throughout the years around 170 books. The son of Salvu Bonnici and Rita Galea, he himself frequently stated how difficult were his teenage years. He was baptized with the name Paolo at St. Publius's Parish Church and had three sisters. In the year 1942, his family sought refuge in Kerċem, Gozo due the bombings of the Second World War. They moved to several other places until they settled in Sliema where he came in contact for the first time with the Franciscan Fathers. Aged 14, he had to abandon his studies to support his family in financial difficulties. He used to sell ice-creams, gave private lessons to young children and helped in what need there was with the public transport, including a ticket conductor. His father worked as a book printer and therefore since a very young age, his son had a passion for books, as he used to help him in his work. He had to abandon his vocation for priesthood, which he had even if aged just fifteen, because he had to continue working, until his father spoke to a certain Fr. Daniel Portelli, who arranged an appointment between Paolo and the Provincial of the Conventual Friars. He joined the Order and made his solemn profession on September 14, 1958. He underwent studies at the Archbishop's Seminary and at the Conventual seminaries at Rabat, Valletta and Victoria, and later studied theology at the St. Bonaventure theological faculty in Rome between 1959 and 1963, from where he graduated with a license in sacred theology. From the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome he obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy in 1959, and a doctorate in history in 1967. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 17, 1963.
Bonnici served as a lecturer in Church History and Patrology at the St. Bonaventure Theological Faculty in Rome and at the University of Malta, in the faculty of theology. He was also the dean of the History Department at the INSERM. The founder and director of "Reliġjon u Ħajja", a Franciscan publishing house which published books on Christian civilization from its beginning in 1967, Bonnici was also the editor of the "Melita Historica". His publications where regularly well researched studies in local and foreign historical, scientific and cultural journals as well as newspapers. He also contributed to several cultural programmes on MTV and local radio stations.
Professor Bonnici was awarded a Commemorative Gold Medal from the United States of America for his documentation of the Inquisition Tribunal in 1996, and was declared Man of the Year for his professional achievements. Details of his contributions in history are incorporated in the American Five Hundred Leaders of Influence and in the Cambridge's University's 1997 edition of the Who's Who of the Intellectuals. The author of over 150 books, some of them translated into foreign languages, his most significant publications are: "Storja ta' l-Inkiżizzjoni f'Malta" in three volumes; "L-Isla" in three volumes; "In-Nadur" in two volumes; "Il-Mellieħa"; "Mons. De Piro" in two volumes; "Dun Ġorg Preca" in three volumes; "Frenċ ta' l-Għarb"; "Madre Marija Tereza Nuzzo"; "Dun Alfred Gatt"; "Mons. Sidor Formosa"; "Dun Ġorg Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu"; "Patroloġija" in four volumes; "Storja tal-Knisja" in sixteen volumes; "Il-Maltin u l-Inkiżizzjoni"; "Storja ta' Malta fi Ġrajjiet il-Knisja"; "The Tribunal of the Inquisition in Birgu"; "Mons. Dun Salv Grima"; "L-Isqof Galea"; "San Ġużepp ta' Kopertinu"; "San Massimiljan Maria Kolbe" and "Alexander Bonnici ofm conv.," his autobiography.
On Tuesday July 25, 2006, Fr. Alexander died unexpectedly whilst in Tunisia. His body was flown back to Malta on Sunday, July 30, and taken to the mortuary of St. Luke's Hospital. On Tuesday, August 1, his casket was taken to the Sanctuary of St. Francis at Rabat, where Fr. Alexander lived and worked for nearly forty years and a cortege from the named Sanctuary proceeded at 9 am., to St. Paul's Parish Church, where funeral Mass was concelebrated by 75 Presbyters. Fr. Bonnici was later buried in one of the vaults of the Franciscan Conventual Friars at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
Born in Floriana, Malta, on January 28, 1936, Fr. Alexander Bonnici published throughout the years around 170 books. The son of Salvu Bonnici and Rita Galea, he himself frequently stated how difficult were his teenage years. He was baptized with the name Paolo at St. Publius's Parish Church and had three sisters. In the year 1942, his family sought refuge in Kerċem, Gozo due the bombings of the Second World War. They moved to several other places until they settled in Sliema where he came in contact for the first time with the Franciscan Fathers. Aged 14, he had to abandon his studies to support his family in financial difficulties. He used to sell ice-creams, gave private lessons to young children and helped in what need there was with the public transport, including a ticket conductor. His father worked as a book printer and therefore since a very young age, his son had a passion for books, as he used to help him in his work. He had to abandon his vocation for priesthood, which he had even if aged just fifteen, because he had to continue working, until his father spoke to a certain Fr. Daniel Portelli, who arranged an appointment between Paolo and the Provincial of the Conventual Friars. He joined the Order and made his solemn profession on September 14, 1958. He underwent studies at the Archbishop's Seminary and at the Conventual seminaries at Rabat, Valletta and Victoria, and later studied theology at the St. Bonaventure theological faculty in Rome between 1959 and 1963, from where he graduated with a license in sacred theology. From the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome he obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy in 1959, and a doctorate in history in 1967. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 17, 1963.
Bonnici served as a lecturer in Church History and Patrology at the St. Bonaventure Theological Faculty in Rome and at the University of Malta, in the faculty of theology. He was also the dean of the History Department at the INSERM. The founder and director of "Reliġjon u Ħajja", a Franciscan publishing house which published books on Christian civilization from its beginning in 1967, Bonnici was also the editor of the "Melita Historica". His publications where regularly well researched studies in local and foreign historical, scientific and cultural journals as well as newspapers. He also contributed to several cultural programmes on MTV and local radio stations.
Professor Bonnici was awarded a Commemorative Gold Medal from the United States of America for his documentation of the Inquisition Tribunal in 1996, and was declared Man of the Year for his professional achievements. Details of his contributions in history are incorporated in the American Five Hundred Leaders of Influence and in the Cambridge's University's 1997 edition of the Who's Who of the Intellectuals. The author of over 150 books, some of them translated into foreign languages, his most significant publications are: "Storja ta' l-Inkiżizzjoni f'Malta" in three volumes; "L-Isla" in three volumes; "In-Nadur" in two volumes; "Il-Mellieħa"; "Mons. De Piro" in two volumes; "Dun Ġorg Preca" in three volumes; "Frenċ ta' l-Għarb"; "Madre Marija Tereza Nuzzo"; "Dun Alfred Gatt"; "Mons. Sidor Formosa"; "Dun Ġorg Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu"; "Patroloġija" in four volumes; "Storja tal-Knisja" in sixteen volumes; "Il-Maltin u l-Inkiżizzjoni"; "Storja ta' Malta fi Ġrajjiet il-Knisja"; "The Tribunal of the Inquisition in Birgu"; "Mons. Dun Salv Grima"; "L-Isqof Galea"; "San Ġużepp ta' Kopertinu"; "San Massimiljan Maria Kolbe" and "Alexander Bonnici ofm conv.," his autobiography.
During his last years, Professor Alexander Bonnici, a Franciscan Minor Conventual, produced on "Radju Marija" a series of live programmes called "Ġrajjiet il-Knisja ta' Kristu", regarding the history of the Catholic Church. However during the last week of July, he recorded what became eventually his last programme. During this programme he spoke of the African Continent, especially about St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of Church. He stated that he recorded this programme and not performed it live as usual, as he intended to visit Tunisia the week after, when the programme was usually aired, to study more in detail the life and times of St. Augustine. This trip was to be his last.
On Tuesday July 25, 2006, Fr. Alexander died unexpectedly whilst in Tunisia. His body was flown back to Malta on Sunday, July 30, and taken to the mortuary of St. Luke's Hospital. On Tuesday, August 1, his casket was taken to the Sanctuary of St. Francis at Rabat, where Fr. Alexander lived and worked for nearly forty years and a cortege from the named Sanctuary proceeded at 9 am., to St. Paul's Parish Church, where funeral Mass was concelebrated by 75 Presbyters. Fr. Bonnici was later buried in one of the vaults of the Franciscan Conventual Friars at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
Born in Floriana, Malta, on January 28, 1936, Fr. Alexander Bonnici published throughout the years around 170 books. The son of Salvu Bonnici and Rita Galea, he himself frequently stated how difficult were his teenage years. He was baptized with the name Paolo at St. Publius's Parish Church and had three sisters. In the year 1942, his family sought refuge in Kerċem, Gozo due the bombings of the Second World War. They moved to several other places until they settled in Sliema where he came in contact for the first time with the Franciscan Fathers. Aged 14, he had to abandon his studies to support his family in financial difficulties. He used to sell ice-creams, gave private lessons to young children and helped in what need there was with the public transport, including a ticket conductor. His father worked as a book printer and therefore since a very young age, his son had a passion for books, as he used to help him in his work. He had to abandon his vocation for priesthood, which he had even if aged just fifteen, because he had to continue working, until his father spoke to a certain Fr. Daniel Portelli, who arranged an appointment between Paolo and the Provincial of the Conventual Friars. He joined the Order and made his solemn profession on September 14, 1958. He underwent studies at the Archbishop's Seminary and at the Conventual seminaries at Rabat, Valletta and Victoria, and later studied theology at the St. Bonaventure theological faculty in Rome between 1959 and 1963, from where he graduated with a license in sacred theology. From the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome he obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy in 1959, and a doctorate in history in 1967. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 17, 1963.
Bonnici served as a lecturer in Church History and Patrology at the St. Bonaventure Theological Faculty in Rome and at the University of Malta, in the faculty of theology. He was also the dean of the History Department at the INSERM. The founder and director of "Reliġjon u Ħajja", a Franciscan publishing house which published books on Christian civilization from its beginning in 1967, Bonnici was also the editor of the "Melita Historica". His publications where regularly well researched studies in local and foreign historical, scientific and cultural journals as well as newspapers. He also contributed to several cultural programmes on MTV and local radio stations.
Professor Bonnici was awarded a Commemorative Gold Medal from the United States of America for his documentation of the Inquisition Tribunal in 1996, and was declared Man of the Year for his professional achievements. Details of his contributions in history are incorporated in the American Five Hundred Leaders of Influence and in the Cambridge's University's 1997 edition of the Who's Who of the Intellectuals. The author of over 150 books, some of them translated into foreign languages, his most significant publications are: "Storja ta' l-Inkiżizzjoni f'Malta" in three volumes; "L-Isla" in three volumes; "In-Nadur" in two volumes; "Il-Mellieħa"; "Mons. De Piro" in two volumes; "Dun Ġorg Preca" in three volumes; "Frenċ ta' l-Għarb"; "Madre Marija Tereza Nuzzo"; "Dun Alfred Gatt"; "Mons. Sidor Formosa"; "Dun Ġorg Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu"; "Patroloġija" in four volumes; "Storja tal-Knisja" in sixteen volumes; "Il-Maltin u l-Inkiżizzjoni"; "Storja ta' Malta fi Ġrajjiet il-Knisja"; "The Tribunal of the Inquisition in Birgu"; "Mons. Dun Salv Grima"; "L-Isqof Galea"; "San Ġużepp ta' Kopertinu"; "San Massimiljan Maria Kolbe" and "Alexander Bonnici ofm conv.," his autobiography.
On Tuesday July 25, 2006, Fr. Alexander died unexpectedly whilst in Tunisia. His body was flown back to Malta on Sunday, July 30, and taken to the mortuary of St. Luke's Hospital. On Tuesday, August 1, his casket was taken to the Sanctuary of St. Francis at Rabat, where Fr. Alexander lived and worked for nearly forty years and a cortege from the named Sanctuary proceeded at 9 am., to St. Paul's Parish Church, where funeral Mass was concelebrated by 75 Presbyters. Fr. Bonnici was later buried in one of the vaults of the Franciscan Conventual Friars at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
Born in Floriana, Malta, on January 28, 1936, Fr. Alexander Bonnici published throughout the years around 170 books. The son of Salvu Bonnici and Rita Galea, he himself frequently stated how difficult were his teenage years. He was baptized with the name Paolo at St. Publius's Parish Church and had three sisters. In the year 1942, his family sought refuge in Kerċem, Gozo due the bombings of the Second World War. They moved to several other places until they settled in Sliema where he came in contact for the first time with the Franciscan Fathers. Aged 14, he had to abandon his studies to support his family in financial difficulties. He used to sell ice-creams, gave private lessons to young children and helped in what need there was with the public transport, including a ticket conductor. His father worked as a book printer and therefore since a very young age, his son had a passion for books, as he used to help him in his work. He had to abandon his vocation for priesthood, which he had even if aged just fifteen, because he had to continue working, until his father spoke to a certain Fr. Daniel Portelli, who arranged an appointment between Paolo and the Provincial of the Conventual Friars. He joined the Order and made his solemn profession on September 14, 1958. He underwent studies at the Archbishop's Seminary and at the Conventual seminaries at Rabat, Valletta and Victoria, and later studied theology at the St. Bonaventure theological faculty in Rome between 1959 and 1963, from where he graduated with a license in sacred theology. From the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome he obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy in 1959, and a doctorate in history in 1967. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 17, 1963.
Bonnici served as a lecturer in Church History and Patrology at the St. Bonaventure Theological Faculty in Rome and at the University of Malta, in the faculty of theology. He was also the dean of the History Department at the INSERM. The founder and director of "Reliġjon u Ħajja", a Franciscan publishing house which published books on Christian civilization from its beginning in 1967, Bonnici was also the editor of the "Melita Historica". His publications where regularly well researched studies in local and foreign historical, scientific and cultural journals as well as newspapers. He also contributed to several cultural programmes on MTV and local radio stations.
Professor Bonnici was awarded a Commemorative Gold Medal from the United States of America for his documentation of the Inquisition Tribunal in 1996, and was declared Man of the Year for his professional achievements. Details of his contributions in history are incorporated in the American Five Hundred Leaders of Influence and in the Cambridge's University's 1997 edition of the Who's Who of the Intellectuals. The author of over 150 books, some of them translated into foreign languages, his most significant publications are: "Storja ta' l-Inkiżizzjoni f'Malta" in three volumes; "L-Isla" in three volumes; "In-Nadur" in two volumes; "Il-Mellieħa"; "Mons. De Piro" in two volumes; "Dun Ġorg Preca" in three volumes; "Frenċ ta' l-Għarb"; "Madre Marija Tereza Nuzzo"; "Dun Alfred Gatt"; "Mons. Sidor Formosa"; "Dun Ġorg Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu"; "Patroloġija" in four volumes; "Storja tal-Knisja" in sixteen volumes; "Il-Maltin u l-Inkiżizzjoni"; "Storja ta' Malta fi Ġrajjiet il-Knisja"; "The Tribunal of the Inquisition in Birgu"; "Mons. Dun Salv Grima"; "L-Isqof Galea"; "San Ġużepp ta' Kopertinu"; "San Massimiljan Maria Kolbe" and "Alexander Bonnici ofm conv.," his autobiography.
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