Awtur: Robert Aloisio
Fl-okkażjoni tal-kanonizzazzjoni ftit tal-ġimgħat ilu taż-żgħażagħ Carlo Acutis u Pier Giorgio Frassati (li jidher fil-qoxra tal-ktieb), is-Soċjetà tal-MUSEUM permezz ta’ Pubblikazzjoni Preca, ippubblikat il-ktieb ta’ Robert Aloisio Għaxra Oħra Żgħar imma Kbar. Dan huwa, biex ngħidu hekk, is-sequel ta’ ktieb ieħor li Aloisio ħareġ ħames snin ilu, Għaxra Żgħar Imma Kbar. Dawn iż-żewġ kotba jitrattaw il-ħajja ta’ żgħażagħ, ħafna minnhom ta’ żmienna, li taw xhieda bi kliemhom u b’għemilhom tal-fidi tagħhom fi Kristu. Il-ktieb huwa ideali għall-adolexxenti kollha u għal dawk li jieħdu ħsiebhom għax juri biċ-ċar li huwa possibbli tgħix tajjeb illum ukoll fis-seklu 21.
Acutis u Frassati kienu żgħażagħ qaddis. Forsi llum ħafna jistaqsu: Mela llum tista’ tkun qaddis? U kif ikunu tfal u żgħażagħ qaddisin tas-seklu wieħed u għoxrin? Iva jeżistu tfal u żgħażagħ qaddisin. U żgur m’humiex tfal boring, lanqas xejn. Huma tfal ferriħija, kreattivi, affaxxinanti… cool! Bniet u subien, tfajliet u ġuvintur, li jkellmuna bit-tajjeb li jagħmlu.
Żgħażagħ li jaduraw lil Alla l-Ħaj u mhux l-idoli foloz tad-dinja. Huma l-veri benefatturi tal-umanità. Dawk li jixegħlu d-dinja bil-fantasija virtuża tagħhom. Kuraġġużi, qawwija, ma jehdew qatt, iż-żgħażagħ qaddisin huma l-missjunarji tat-tajjeb u tal-veru. Fuqhom jirrifletti raġġ tal-qdusija ta’ Kristu, tat-tjubija tiegħu, tal-ħniena tiegħu, tal-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Dan il-ktieb ġdid irid ikun ringrazzjament modest lil dawn ħutna żgħar. Għaxar żgħażagħ minn pajjiżi u kulturi diversi. Imma l-qaddisin mhumiex qegħdin hemm biex nammirawhom imma biex nimitawhom.
Minbarra Pier Giorgio Frassati, fil-ktieb hemm sitt żgħażagħ oħra li l-qdusija tagħhom ġiet rikonoxxuta uffiċjalment mill-Knisja, fosthom: Isidore Bakanja, żagħżugħ Afrikan ta’ 22 sena li nqatel mill-employer Belġjan li kellu u ġie ddikjarat Beatu fl-1994; Marcel Callo, żagħżugħ ħaddiem Franċiż maqtul min-Nażisti li ġie ddikjarat Beatu fl-1987; Anuarite Nengapeta, soru Afrikana ta’ 25 sena maqtula waqt gwerra ċivili u ddikjarata Beata fl-1985; u Laura Vicuna, tifla Ċilena ta’ 13-il sena ddikjarata Beata fl-1988.
Flimkien ma’ dawn Aloisio jitratta tliet żgħażagħ oħrajn magħrufin ħafna iżjed: San Alwiġi Gonzaga, Santa Maria Goretti u Santa Tereża tal-Bambin Ġesù. Dawn iż-żgħażagħ jgħallmuna fidi ġejja mill-fiduċja bħalma dik ta’ tifel f’missieru, fi żmien meta l-bniedem sar jiddubita u jissuspetta kollox. Jgħallmuna l-entużjażmu, is-sempliċità, il-freskezza. Jgħallmuna ma nkunux ikkumplikati. Jgħallmuna l-umiltà u l-fiduċja fl-oħrajn. Għax it-tfal jaqraw il-qalb mhux il-kliem. Fuq kollox, jgħallmuna nemmnu. Għax ilkoll kienu tfal u żgħażagħ li emmnu tassew. Kienu żgħar fl-età imma kbar fil-fidi. Għaxra oħra żgħar imma KBAR.
Fl-aħħar tal-ktieb hemm ukoll intervista qasira ma’ Antonia, omm Carlo Acutis, u serje ta’ kwotazzjonijiet minn dak li kitbu jew qalu dawn iż-żgħażagħ qaddisin.
Il-ktieb Għaxra Oħra Żgħar Imma Kbar qiegħed jinbiegħ minn Librerija Preca, il-Blata l-Bajda (Triq San Ġorġ Preca, il-Marsa – maġenb il-Kappella tal-Museum) għall-prezz ta’ €8. Se jkun ukoll fl-istand tal-Librerija Preca fil-Festival tal-Ktieb li se jsir fl-MFCC Ta’ Qali bejn il-5 u d-9 ta’ Novembru. Min ikun irid jintbagħtlu d-dar bil-posta jċempel 2122 2626 jew jidħol fil-facebook page ta’ Librerija Preca u jordna l-ktieb minn hemm.
Book: Għaxra Oħra Żgħar Imma Kbar
Author: Robert Aloisio
New Book Celebrates the Holiness of Young Saints and Modern Role Models
Following the recent canonization of the young saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati—the latter featured on the book’s cover—the MUSEUM Society, through Preca Publishing, has released Robert Aloisio’s latest work, Għaxra Oħra Żgħar imma Kbar.
This new publication serves as a sequel to Aloisio’s earlier book, Għaxra Żgħar Imma Kbar, published five years ago. Both books highlight the inspiring lives of young people—many from contemporary times—who have borne powerful witness to their faith through words and actions.
The author presents these stories as living proof that it is possible to live a good and holy life, even in today’s world. The book is particularly recommended for adolescents and for those who guide and care for them.
Acutis and Frassati stand as compelling examples of holiness among youth. Their lives naturally raise the question: Can one still be a saint today? And what does holiness look like for young people in the 21st century? The answer, Aloisio suggests, is a resounding yes. These young saints were not dull or detached from the world—they were joyful, creative, and full of life. They remind us that holiness is not about being boring, but about being genuinely good, courageous, and alive with purpose.
These young men and women chose to worship the Living God, not the false idols of the world. They are the true benefactors of humanity, lighting up the world with their virtuous imagination. Strong and brave, they never gave up. Through them shines a ray of Christ’s own holiness, goodness, mercy, and justice.
Aloisio’s new book is a modest tribute to these “little brothers and sisters” of ours—ten young people from different countries and cultures. Yet, as the author reminds us, saints are not there to be admired but to be imitated.
In addition to Pier Giorgio Frassati, the book includes seven other young people whose holiness has been officially recognized by the Church:
- Isidore Bakanja, a 22-year-old African man martyred by his Belgian employer and beatified in 1994;
- Marcel Callo, a young French worker killed by the Nazis, beatified in 1987;
- Anuarite Nengapeta, a 25-year-old African nun martyred during a civil conflict and beatified in 1985;
- Laura Vicuña, a 13-year-old Chilean girl beatified in 1988;
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Maria Goretti, and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
Through their stories, Aloisio highlights a faith that springs from childlike trust—a faith that is simple, joyful, and sincere. At a time when society tends to be skeptical and distrustful, these young saints remind us of humility, authenticity, and hope. They teach us to read hearts, not words; to live simply; and above all, to believe deeply. They were young in age, yet great in faith—ten more small but BIG.
The book also features a short interview with Antonia Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, along with a collection of quotes and reflections from the young saints themselves.
Għażra Oħra Żgħar Imma Kbar is available for €8 from Librerija Preca, Blata l-Bajda (Triq San Ġorġ Preca, Marsa, next to the Museum Chapel). It will also be available at the Preca Library stand during the Malta Book Festival, to be held at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali, from 5–9 November.
Those wishing to receive a copy by post may call 2122 2626 or order directly via the Preca Library Facebook page.