Xlendi - Important or Well-known People in Xlendi's History

Important or Well-known People in Xlendi's History

• Caroline Cauchi

. Carolina Cauchi was born in Senglea on the 25th December 1824, the only child of the Notary Nicolò Cauchi, from Victoria, Gozo and Theresa née Galea from Senglea, Malta. The family Cauchi was affluent, therefore Carolina was sent off to school to continue her education, in spite of the fact that at the time girls received little education. Carolina learned to write Italian well and she knew Latin as well. Above all she received an optimal Christian upbringing.

The first Dominican community consisting of 9 women was born on the 6th October 1889, feast of Our lady of the Rosary. These women after taking part in the procession returned to the monastery and started to live as contemplative nuns. However until this community was formally recognized and accepted by the Dominican Order in August 1893 the ideal was modified and they started to be known as a community of the Dominican Third Order.

Caroline knew how to use the material goods she possessed for the glory of God and the good of humanity. She lived the spirit of poverty after the example of Our Mother Mary and Saint Dominic. At the beginning she frequently visited the Sisters but she never stayed at the monastery. During the summer she would often invite the Sisters for a vacation at her holiday house in Xlendi. She was pleased to see the Congregation growing in number and progressing in the apostolate. In fact she confirmed her former dispositions in favour of the Monastery.

The Father of Carolina, Notary Nicolo, was given some land, from the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Monks of Mdina, so that a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel to be built.

• Constance Strickland

Constance Strickland made great restoration of the Xlendi Tower in two years starting in the year 1956, because the Tower was almost falling. But soon after the restoration in 1979 the tower fell again in bad condition.

• Tony Portelli - Ta' Talija

Tony Portelli was famous for his life in Xlendi. He had a small shop where he sold some soft drinks, biscuits and food to people in Xlendi. Tony was also famous for his rabbit stew and many Maltese used to go to eat at his house. He also had some goats and used to go at his fields on the right cliffs of Gozo.

• Gianni ta' Berta

Gianni was the local police for most of his life. He used to stay on guard in large storms because of the strong water currents coming from the valley. Gianni was well known for his seriousness about his work. He used to help the Rector who lived out of the village and used to open the chapel early in the morning and ring the bells.

• Ta' Gori Family

This family owned a large area of fields in which they worked all day. They had some other people helping them because they had a lot of work to do. They also had about 6 cows which was a rarity in these islands in those periods. Their crops and milk were sold to the citizens and the extra was sold at Kercem.

• Rectors

1. Rafel Cassar 1872-1904
2. Ganni Marija Attard 1905-1931
3. Indri Buhagiar 1931-1939
4. Karm Grech 1939-1941
5. Guzeppi Grech 1941-1944
6. Anton Grech Sciluna 1944-1960
7. Guzeppi Curmi 1960-1984
8. John Bosco Cremona 1984-