January 25 is the anniversary of Joseph G. Bugeia.

Joseph Gelasius Bugeia, song of Paul Bugeia and Mary Chircop, was born in Rabat, Malta, on February 1, 1884. He was baptized in the Cathedral of Saint Paul built on the place where the Apostle lived during his stay in Malta – and it was on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul that he died. On June 23, 1901 he entered the novitiate at Saint Mark Monastery at Rabat, Malta, and pronounced simple profession June 24, 1902. Following his theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Gozo, Malta, on June 5, 1909.

Father Bugeia’s first appointment was to the Isle of Gozo where he served at the Church of Saint Augustine. In 1914 he was asked by his superiors to assist in the Augustinian provinces in northern Italy. Among other appointments he was stationed at the Augustinian parish in Castelgondolgo and the Church of Our Mother of Consolation in Genoa. It was at this time that he was invited to come to the United State and help the Augustinians in the apostolate with the Italians in South Philadelphia at the Church of Saint Rita of Cascia. Here for 15 years (1920-1935) Father tended the spiritual needs of the parishioners. In 1935 he was transferred to the Church of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx where he was assistant pastor until 1950. After an extended trip back to his homeland, Malta, he returned to Saint Rita in South Philadelphia where he labored faithfully until his retirement 18 years later in 1968. It was here that Father Bugeia was granted the privilege of celebrating the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood, June 7, 1959. It was on July 31, 1962, at his own request, that he was affiliated to the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova.

A kind, gentle priest, in 1968 Father retired to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, where he died on January 25, 1969. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

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