Eugenio Borg was the first Superior General of the Society of Christian Doctrine (SDC). For a number of years, the SDC and the Church in Malta have been working towards his cause for beatification, in the hope that one day Eugenio Borg may be declared Blessed, just as St George Preca was beatified before being canonised.
A Wise Choice
When Fr George chose Eugenio Borg, he made a very wise choice. He recognised in him the qualities needed in someone who would eventually be entrusted with leading his newly founded society. Fr George continued to form and guide him, helping him to become a hardworking and generous-hearted member.
Fr George dreamed of establishing a society of catechists capable of providing sound Christian formation. He befriended a group of young men who used to gather outside the church in Ħamrun. They had received little religious formation and would spend their time smoking, talking about football and joking together. George, who was still a seminarian at the time, began meeting them regularly and teaching them about God, Jesus Christ and other important truths of the Christian faith.
He gradually became their friend, and developed a particularly close bond with Eugenio Borg, a hardworking and independent young man. On one occasion, Fr George invited Eugenio to join him for a walk the following Sunday. He told him to bring something to eat and his Bible. This became the first of a series of meetings during which Fr George explained the Scriptures to Eugenio, who would eventually become the first Superior General of the SDC.
A Dockyard Worker
Eugenio worked at the Dockyard, where he was known for being hardworking, conscientious and precise. He did not shirk his responsibilities or deliberately slow down his work simply to pass the time. Fellow workers in the same workshop recalled that he would not allow people to distract him with conversation during working hours.
He was respected by his colleagues, although some occasionally tried to provoke him. Eugenio responded patiently. Even when someone who had annoyed him later asked to borrow one of his tools, he would lend it without complaint.
On 2 February 1907, Fr George began gathering the young men in a small church in Ħamrun. Later, he rented a modest house with a few rooms at 6 Fra Diegu Street, Ħamrun. It was there that the first meeting was held.
A few days later, Fr George told the members that from then on he did not want them to smoke. Smoking was very common at the time, but Fr George wanted them to learn the value of self-denial. Eugenio was a heavy smoker. As soon as he heard Fr George’s request, he took the packet of cigarettes from his pocket, crushed it and never smoked another cigarette.
Fr George also instilled in the members a deep love for the Gospel, because through the Gospel we encounter the beloved person of Jesus Christ. He often told them, “Be friends of the Gospel.” Eugenio took these words seriously. He would take passages from the Bible with him to work and, during his break, find a quiet corner where he could read and reflect on them.
A Life of Service
Every day after work, Eugenio would travel on foot or by bicycle to different towns and villages to teach catechism to children and young people. On Sundays, he would take them on walks in the countryside.
Eugenio Borg and St George Preca
Eugenio and the other members were not satisfied with teaching children alone. They seized every opportunity to share the Christian message with adults as well. They would gather people together and offer them a good word or some Christian teaching in tea shops, clubs, public squares and other meeting places. Those who listened were often struck by their enthusiasm, and on more than one occasion their words helped people to change their lives.
Fr George taught the members never to miss an opportunity to do good. On one occasion, Eugenio was near the Customs House in Floriana, just outside Valletta, when he heard a horse cab driver swearing. The man appeared strong and rather confrontational.
“Mind your language!” Eugenio told him.
“What did you say?” the driver replied, pretending not to understand.
“Mind your language!” Eugenio repeated, but once again the man pretended not to understand him.
Eugenio then stepped closer and said firmly, “Mind your language!”
Taken aback by Eugenio’s determination, the driver finally replied, “All right, sir.”
These are just a few episodes from the life of Eugenio Borg. They invite us to remember this Servant of God in our prayers: that the Church may one day declare him Blessed, and that, through his intercession, we may ask God for the graces we need for ourselves and for others.
Joe Galea
SDC Member
