Maltese Honor 150th Anniversary of Carmelite Anastasju Cuschieri
On July 27, 2026, the Maltese Carmelite Province in conjunction with the Akkademja tal-Malti (Academy of the Maltese Language) commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Carmelite priest, Anastasio Cuschieri (1876-1962). July 27 also marked the 64th anniversary of his death and funeral.
Fr. Cuschieri studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and resided at St Albert’s International College (CISA). He was a close friend of Hubertus Driessen, O. Carm. and acquainted also through him with St Titus Brandsma. As a philosopher, he held the Chair of Logic, Aesthetics and Ethics at the Royal University of Malta (1902-1939). He also served as a Senator, elected to Parliament, pitching him against the Protestant British colonial government of Malta. His political commitment had a pronounced social edge. Cuschieri was instrumental in the promotion of the Maltese Language during the local language question, defending the Maltese language both with persuasive arguments and the writing of fine poetry in the Maltese language. This gained him the title of “Il-Poeta tal-Kelma Maltija” (The Poet of the Maltese Language). His poetry also is marked by Marian lyricism gaining him the title of “Il-Poeta tal-Madonna” (Our Lady’s Poet).
The commemoration opened with a speech by the president of the Akkademja, Dr. Sergio Grech. The speech focused on “Communication: A Powerful tool in Anastasju Cuschieri.” Daniel Attard and Rita Saliba, members of the Council of the Akkademja, recited some of his celebrated poems, while violinist Elena Muscat graced the evening with classic musical pieces.
Fr. Charlò Camilleri, O. Carm., associate professor at the Faculty of Theology, Deputy Dean and Senator within the University of Malta, as Member of the Akkademja tal-Malti, serving also on its council, delivered the main speech: “The Spirit, Duty, and the Rights of the Weak: The Dream of Anastasio Cuschieri for a Strong Democracy in the Light of Christian Civilization.” Finally, the Carmelite provincial, Fr. Charles Mallia, and Grech, the president of the Akkademja, placed floral wreaths on Cuschieri’s grave, in the cloister of the Carmelite Church in Mdina.
