A friend who became a Dominican priest
One of the most wonderful experiences I have had in my priestly life is the day a young friend of mine joined the Dominican Order. Some may wonder, why he didn’t join the Carmelite Order, however I never tried to influence him as I always allow people to make their own free choices.
I can nearly say that Alan was brought up in the Carmelite Priory in Fgura, and ever since his childhood, he felt called to religious life. I don’t feel that I have any merit in this as I was never in charge of the altar boys, but Alan, as an altar boy, always showed me respect and often accompanied me during a religious celebration. On one occasion when we went to Gozo on holiday, I was amazed that Alan, then only fourteen, wanted to join in praying the liturgy of the hours. He opened his bag and got out a breviary. I didn’t think he knew how to use it, but sure enough he did without any assistance. I am quite sure he owes his vocation to his parents who always encouraged him in his spiritual life. On another occasion when I went round to bless his family’s house, he showed me a model church with statues he had as a child.
Here is some more information about Father Alan Joseph Adami. He was born in St Luke’s Hospital, Pieta on 8th July 1992 to Manuel and Rosanna nee Cauchi. He is the eldest of his two siblings Mark and Rebecca. He was baptised in the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fgura. He also attended primary school in Fgura before moving on to Verdala Junior Lyceum in Cospicua and then the Higher Secondary school in Naxxar.
Following his first Holy Communion in 1999, he became an altar boy in Fgura Parish church and served as such till he joined the Dominican Order. He would often help out in church especially when setting up the altar of repose (the Sepulchre). He always says that his experience as an altar boy helped him have a greater love towards the altar and the desire to become a priest.
In 2011, when he was nineteen years old, he decided to enter the Dominican Order. When I had asked him why he became a Dominican, he told me that their charism attracted him. Studies, rule observance, prayer, especially liturgical prayer, are the foundations of the Dominican Order and the principles he cherishes most in life. The following year he started his novitiate in the Priory of Our Lady of the grotto in Rabat, Malta and on the 26th September 2012 he did his first profession.
After his novitiate he attended the University of Malta where he graduated with a Bachelor degree in Philosophy and Classics. He did his solemn profession on 14th September 2015 in the parish church of Our Lady of Fgura. Soon after he went to Ireland to further his studies in theology at the Dominican Studium in Dublin.
In June 2017 he was ordained deacon, by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta, Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna at St John’s Co-Cathedral, and on the 7th of April 2018 he was ordained a priest.
On the 17th of June 2018 he will be celebrating his first solemn Mass in the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Vittoriosa.
To my friend and all the priests who were ordained with him, I congratulate them praying that they will be priests according to God’s wishes. While praying for him, may he do well in his studies. Ad multos annos.