We are pleased to forward message by the Lasalle Malta Director of Educational Mission, Mr Stephen Cachia Although I personally did not know Professor Charles Briffa, all persons within the Lasallian family who have spoken to me following his passing have only but high words of praise for Professor Briffa and for his great contribution over the years. From his years as a teacher at Stella Maris College to later years when he was a very active member of the Lasallian Education Council, an advisory body which the Brothers in Malta had set up to support them in their educational mission, his generous contribution was truly outstanding.
Cause of Beatification of Brother Louis especially with his book on Bro Louis’ spiritual writings. Although the passing away of such a well-loved person brings sadness, the memories he has left behind through the boundless contribution he has given in so many fields remains testament of a great person who has lived a truly generous life of service.
Stephen Cachia Director of Educational Mission La Salle Malta
Professor Briffa was also a significant contributor to the
OSAYS Suppliment Settembru 2024
OSAYS
F’din il-ħarġa ... Message by Mr Stephen Cachia, LaSalle Malta 2 Ħajjet il-Professur Charles Briffa
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Grazzi Charles
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De La Salle Brothers Publications by C Briffa
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From past issues of The Stelmarian
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Facebook Messages
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Kewkba tal-Baħar
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In the beginning of the 1980s, the now defunct Old Stelmarians Association felt the need to publish its own NEWSLETTER aimed at keeping contact with the past students of Stella Maris College. By time, the Association had tasked its Youth Section to take responsibility of this newsletter to possibly have it issued regularly on a quarterly basis. OSAYS (an acronym of Old Stelmarians Association Youth Section) was first published in Quarter 4 of 1983. The first Special issue entitled MUR GĦAND ĠUŻEPPI was published in Nov/ Dec 1997 and distributed following the demise of Brother Michael Buttigieg fsc
Ħajjet il-Professur
Charles Briffa
Kien President tal-Akkademja talMalti (2000-2004) u editur ta’ IlMalti (2000-2001). Organizza bosta korsijiet u ħa sehem f’numru kbir ta’ konferenzi u seminars f’Malta u barra minn xtutna.
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Charles kien l-editur ġenerali talKullana Kulturali (PIN) u pubblikazzjonijiet tiegħu kisbu lewwel premju fit-taqsima tar-riċerka fil-Premju Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb.
Il-Professur Charles Briffa (twieled fis-16 ta’ Lulju 1951) għallem il-letteratura Maltija u tteorija u l-prattika tat-traduzzjoni flUniversità ta’ Malta għal ħafna snin, u kien kritiku letterarju, riċerkatur tal -Malti, u traduttur. L-interessi ewlenin tiegħu kienu fl -istilistika konjittiva li tidher sewwa fil-bosta pubblikazzjonijiet tiegħu fuq l-awturi Maltin u l-lingwistika kulturali, li hu xandar regolarment fuq stazzjonijiet differenti tar-radju u t-televixin. Beda l-karriera tiegħu bħala għalliem fl-iskejjel tal-Knisja u talGvern u wara xi snin bħala Assistent Kap f’Junior Lyceum inħatar Uffiċjal Prinċipali tat-Taqsima tal-Arti filMatsec Support Unit. Huwa kien lettur fid-Dipartiment tal-Malti talUniversità u fl-2010 nħatar Professur tad-Dipartiment tatTraduzzjoni fil-Fakultà tal-Arti.
Kien kontributur regolari fuq listazzjonijiet lokali u għal ħafna semmiegħa tar-radju u telespettaturi tat-televiżjoni kien magħruf għall-ispjegazzjoni artikulata tiegħu dwar il-kitba Maltija.
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Fit-13 ta’ Diċembru 2020 inħatar formalment Membru tal-Ordni Nazzjonali tal-Meritu (MOM) għassehem tiegħu fl-istudju tal-Malti u lletteratura. Sors: L-Akkademja tal-Malti
... u fil-kamp Lasalljan Għal dawn l-aħħar ħamsin sena, sa mill-1973, Charles, flimkien ma’ martu Angela, għallmu u kienu ferm attivi fil-ħajja tal-istudenti tal-Kulleġġ Stella Maris. Dan il-fuljett jista’ biss ifakkar ftit mill-kontribut bla tarf li t-tnejn li huma taw lill-familja Lasalljana filKulleġġ Stella Maris.
From past issues of THE STELMARIAN
1998
Editorjal
Grazzi Charles Ħsadtni Charles! Nibqa’ nistaqsi għalfejn kellek titlaqna daqshekk malajr. L-aħħar li ltqajna iċċelebrajna ilmitt sena mit-twelid tal-Qaddej t’Alla Brother Louis. Ċelebrazzjoni li żgur ġabitlek bosta memorji sbieħ. U għalhekk nista’ biss nimmaġina kif laqgħuk fi ħdanhom Brothers Louis u Michael. Min jaf kemm kellkom x’tirrakkontaw! Ma kellix ċans nirringrazzjak għal dak kollu li dejjem wettaqt b’imħabba fenominali. U ta’ dan jiddispjaċini. Niftakarni bħala student fis-sitt klassi sekondarja ma nifhimx għalfejn jirreferu għalik bħala Commodore. Għall-ewwel nammetti kont ħsibtu xi titlu jew laqam. Sakemm bdejt insegwi l-entużjażmu tiegħek fl-iStelmar Sailing Club. Bosta studenti jiftakru l-esperjenzi sbieħ li qattgħu il-Qawra kull nhar ta’ Ħadd filgħodu. Oħrajn il-mawra fi Sqallija. Ħeġġa li komplejt turi meta aktar tard, iddefendejt b’kull mod possibbli l-każ fil-Qorti. Ma stajtx tifhem kif lanqas il-qorti ma fehmet l-importanza li l-istudenti jirċievu edukazzjoni sportiva meta iddeċidiet
li l-boathouses tal-Qawra jingħataw lura lis-sidien u fl-istess ħin ineżżgħu lill-istudenti mid-dar tal-iSport tagħhom. Bħala student ma stajtx ma ninnutax l-involviment tiegħek f’kull qasam sportiv tal-Kulleġġ inkluż matul l-iSports Days, il-Camps ma’ Frank O’neill u l-Astronomija. Kif nista’ ma nsemmix is-sinergija li dejjem kont nammira bejnek u bejn Brother David! Ngħidlek il-verità, qasmuli qalbi Angela u Brother David waqt iċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ ħajtek fil-knisja tal-Iklin. Kif nista’ ninsa kemm ħdimt biex il-Kulleġġ Stella Maris iżomm lidentità tiegħu matul iż-żminijiet diffiċli li għaddew minnhom l-iskejjel tal-knisja fl-1984. Ma stajtx ma tammirax l-imħabba tiegħek għallistudenti u l-edukazzjoni Lasalljana. Għaddew is-snin. Jien bdejt naħdem u int għaddejt għallUniversità. Iżda t-tnejn li aħna bqajna attivi fi sferi differenti talFamilja Lasalljana f’Malta. Matul dan il-perjodu ma stajtx ma nħossnix tassew onorat meta għoġbok tafdani bid-disinn ta’ żewġ publikazzjonijiet. L-ewwel il-ħajja ta’ Brother Michael. U wara l-istorja tal-
Kulleġġ Stella Maris li int ktibt flimkien ma’ martek Angela. Għadni sallum inħossni kburi meta naqbad dawn il-kotba f’idi. Grazzi mill-qalb. L-imħabba tiegħek għall-edukazzjoni Lasalljana u għall-istudent kienet impressjonanti. Kont dak l-edukatur, li fuq il-passi ta’ Brother Henry, tajt ilkontribut tiegħek bi ktieb li jħarreġ l-istudenti fil-Primarja filLingwa Maltija. Kont dak l-edukatur, li minkejja limpenji tiegħek Universitarji, tajt il-kontribut tiegħek fil-kunsill edukattiv Lasalljan li kien twaqqaf mill-Brothers, jew kif tant inhobb insejhilhom jien, il-Frères. Kont dak l-edukatur li emmint filvaluri Lasalljani li wasslitek biex irriċerkajt il-ħajja u l-kitbiet talQaddej t’Alla Brother Louis
Camilleri. Ktejjeb li twassal ilVatikan bħala dokument fil-kawza għall-Beatifikazzjoni tiegħu. Fih użajt ukoll diversi esperjenzi minn ex studenti li kienu stampati f’harga speċjali ta’ OSAYS. Bla dubju ma nistax ma nsemmix limħabba li kellek għall-lingwa Maltija. Il-librerija Maltija żgur se tħoss in-nuqqas tiegħek. Uzajt irradju, it-TV u l-gurnali biex twassal ilmessaġġ tiegħek. GRAZZI CHARLES. Gawdi ħidmietek fuq din l-art. ħarisna.
frott Ibqa’
Dan l-Editorjal inkiteb minn Joe Galea
OSAYS can be contacted on: stelmarsixthform@gmail.com
L-HENA TAL-ĠENNA L-HENA TAL-ĠENNA TINSAB FL-IMĦABBA GĦAL XULXIN TINSAB FL-IMĦABBA GĦAL XULXIN DIK L-IMĦABBA LI TRID TIKBER DEJJEM, DIK L-IMĦABBA LI TRID TIKBER DEJJEM, DIK L-IMĦABBA LI TRID TFISSED ’L ULIED, DIK L-IMĦABBA LI TRID TFISSED ’L ULIED, LI HUMA L-HENA TAL-ĠENNA FL-ETERNITÀ LI HUMA L-HENA TAL-ĠENNA FL-ETERNITÀ Charles Briffa Charles Briffa
De La Salle Brothers Publications by Charles Briffacan be contacted on IS-SENGĦA TAS-SNAJJA’ f’ġieħ Michael Buttigieg by Charles Briffa ISBN: 99909-53-11-2 De La Salle Brothers Publications, Malta 1998 110 pages F’dan il-ktieb Profs. Charles Briffa jitratta l-ħajja u l-kitbiet ta’ Brother Michael Buttigieg fsc. Dr Briffa kien kiteb ukoll il-poeżija Lil Bro Michael F’SALTNET LIMĦABBA li ġiet stampata fl-OSAYS ta’ Nov/Dic 1997.
THE FRUITS OF THE MIND In the writings of Br Louis Camilleri FSC by Charles Briffa ISBN: 978-99909-53-43-5 De La Salle Brothers Publications, Malta 2019 268 + 20 pages
GUIDING STAR A Portrait of a School as a Young Christian by Charles Briffa and Angela Briffa ISBN: 99909-53-10-4 De La Salle Brothers Publications, Malta 1997 224 pages
F’dan il-ktieb Angela u Charles Briffa jitrattaw l-istorja tal-Kulleġġ Stella Maris mill-bidu tiegħu ġewwa Villa Schinas, tas-Sliema. Sakemm ġie stampat dan il-ktieb, Charles u Angela kienu diġa għaddew ħamsa u għoxrin sena involuti filKulleġġ, kemm bħala għalliema kif ukoll attivi f’diversi attivitajiet extra kurrikulari. Saret ukoll riċerka intensiva fl-arkivji tal-Kulleġġ.
QED TIFHEM Taħriġ fil-Lingwa għat-Tfal It-Tieni Edizzjoni by Charles Briffa ISBN: 99909-53-10-4 De La Salle Brothers Publications, Malta 1989 103 pages
Ktieb b’tagħtif dwar il-ħajja u l-kitbiet talQaddej t’Alla Brother Louis Camilleri fsc. miktub minn Charles Briffa.
Fl-1989, Dr Charles Briffa ippubblika itTieni Edizzjoni ta’ QED TIFHEM.
Kopji ta’ dan il-kitieb jistgħu jinkisbu mingħand Bro Saviour Gatt fsc (2732 0333)
Ktieb ta’ taħriġ fil-Lingwa Maltija immirat lejn Tfal fil-Primarja.
Facebook messages Brother Austin A. Gili So sorry to hear of this sad news! Charles was an integral part of the Lasallian family! We shall miss his friendship. Our prayers go out for his wife Angela and his family! May he rest in God’s holy presence of peace! Live Jesus in our hearts especially at this time!
Frank O’neill I got to know Charles from our first years teaching at Stella Maris College, Gzira. We immediately struck a friendship which has lasted for half a century. We were fortunate to be there during the Golden age of the college when new ideas for making the curriculum exciting and innovative were welcome and implemented. I cherish the memories Charles, his future wife Angela and myself shared not just at school but during the countless adventures we involved our pupils at Camps, Sailing, Sports days, Astronomy and trips abroad. Charles and I enjoyed a
similar sense of humour so there was never a dull moment. I truly missed him when he left SMC to teach at University but our loss was the gain of hundreds of students and future teachers and lecturers . I will leave this chapter of his life in the capable hands of his UOM colleagues. Charles, you will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Angela, Dunstan, Erica and all his family and friends.
James Cilia Sincere condolences Angela and family. RIP dear Charles
Vivienne Meli Can't believe this. What a shock. So very sad. Rest in peace dear Charles. Condolences to Angela, and, all the family.
Romy Theuma Rest in Peace Prof. Remembering the good old years at Stella Maris College and St Benild School
Ivan De Gabriele Rest in peace dear Charles Condolences to all the family.
Peter Gatt RIP Mr Briffa. An excellent teacher I remember at Junior School at Stella Maris and great scholar.
Fabio Stivala I also remember him at the Stelmar Sailing club summer camp in Portopalo- great guy. May he rest in peace
Mariella Abela Heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
David Musu Rest in Peace dear Charles Briffa in our thoughts and prayers
Robert Fenech Conti Thanks good time at school you are with God in heaven RIP
Philip Micallef I always admired his love and dedication to the Maltese language. His wife was the sweetest teacher I ever had. My thoughts go out to all the family.
Simon Grech Rip Prof Charles Briffa . Many of us were fortunate to have him ( and his wife Angela) as our teachers. An academic and fierce advocate of the Maltese language.
Talba għall-grazzji u l-glorifikazzjoni ta’ Brother Louis Camilleri
Mark Galea RIP Mr Briffa. You were my first teacher at Stella Maris College. Scholastic year Junior 6 1973/1974. You were so kind and did your very best to make my transition period from one school to another as easy as possible. You were entrusted with a class of all the newcomers to the college. You always worked hard and made sure everyone was happy and included in the new college life. Until we meet again. Sincere condolences Mrs Briffa and to the entire family.
Joseph Frendo Condolences to Angela and family for the loss of Charles . He was a great help to my late wife Doris who also taught the grade 6 class at the college. He was also the Commodore of the Stella Maris College Sailing Club to which I gave my total support to enable the students learn how to sail. R.I.P Charles.
Mulej, għajn ta’ kull qdusija, Int wegħdt li teżalta lill-umli u tagħmel lil dawk kollha li jgħallmu l-ġustizzja lill-kotra bħal kwiekeb fleternità; kun ġeneruż, jekk jogħġbok u gglorifika lillqaddej Tiegħek Bro Louis u agħmel li ismu jibqa’ jiddi qalb l-ismijiet tal-qaddisin Tiegħek. Ftakar f’ħajtu umli, ħabrieka, safja, u bieżla li kienet għal kollox imħeġġa biex twettaq ir-rieda Tiegħek u tħobb Lilek u lill-proxxmu kollu; kun idek miftuha u sawwab il-grazzji Tiegħek fuq l-erwieħ li qed isejħulek. Jekk jogħġbok agħmel li jum fost l -oħrajn il-Knisja Qaddisa tagħti ġieh lit-tifkira tiegħu u toffrihulna bħala xempju ta’ ħajja Nisranija; u, ukoll li tippreżentahulna bħala protettur li jaqbeż għalina u jgħinna ngħixu fil-grazzja Tiegħek u fl-imħabba Tiegħek. Ammen. Glorja lill-Missier...
Kewkba tal-Baħar be Feġġet kewkba fis-sebħ ta’ seklu ġdid tifrex xmara ta’ dawl fl-imħuħ taż-żgħar; fl-għasar tas-seklu għadha tfur bil-ġid u tfewwaħ b’kull sedqa qalb kotra żahar. U t-tama feġġet fuq mirkeb is-sewwa biex fil-gżira l-ulied jiksbu kull ġieħ, b’tagħlim li jidwi b’dehen meqjus u ħlewwa, li jibni, jsawwar il-karattru sħiħ. Iż-żgħażagħ tifraħ bil-muftieħ tal-ħajja għax f’idejhom iżommu t-tmun u l-qlugħ, il-qlugħ li ma’ kull riħ jibqa’ jitlajja’ sa ma jintlaħaq id-destin tar-ruħ. Kewkba tal-Baħar! Baqgħet b’dik id-dija li twarrad il-blanzuni tat-tfulija. biex fiż-żmien meta ġa t-teknoloġija qiegħda tamar lill-bniedem u meta l-ġirien tagħna folol ta’ ħadid għoli jitħarrek igerrem il-ġmiel ta’ artna dil-kewkba għadha tqim il-ħsieb uman li jmil għal ebda alla ħief għal Alla u t-tfal ilaħħqu mal-kompjuter u mal-poeżija jilagħbu u jitbaħbħu bil-mielaħ tal-baħar frisk jitghaxxqu bil-brim u t-tkebbib tal-ħajja li titlenbeb fiċ-ċokon u d-djieq Charles Briffa 1993 Sors: Guiding Star
Is-Sliem Charles