A VIRTUE UNDER TRIAL
written by
Ivan Grixti
MEEKNESS
The virtue of meekness is often misunderstood. Simply put it is the one virtue that allows us to remain ourselves in the midst of adversity. It is not concerned with weakness but enables a person to do good in response to evil. George Preca was faced with adversity during the foundation years of his group. George was challenged and mocked when he put it to the authorities that the common people had the right to be taught religion and moreover to understand something about it. He went even further than this and wished for his followers to teach religion, making use of Scriptures, and theological discernment. The Church in Malta eventually felt that there was the need for such a society but feared that its members were not sufficiently trained to teach catechism. In 1909, the Maltese Church authorities ordered George to close down all his centres. Many parish priests themselves
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protested with the ecclesiastical authorities and the ban was revoked by Vicar General, Salvatore Grech. Between 1914 and 1915, a number of daily newspapers carried articles and letters denigrating the new movement. George ordered his members to make a vow of meekness, gladly forgiving anybody who mocked them or treated them with disdain. He also taught them “to love the contempt� they suffered and not to let it trouble them unduly. In 1916 an inquiry was held into the work of the new Preca movement. Eventually, the inquest resulted in a glowing report for the young society and Archbishop Dom Mauro Caruana canonically approved the Society of Christian Doctrine on 12 April 1932. The virtue of meekness remains a constant in the Preca Community; with Members, Associates, and Friends invited to pray daily for our enemies.