- Albin Hennequin
- Athanase Gonelli
- Bernard Cunningham
- Denis Ward
- Edward Harrop
- Gerard O'Brien
- Henry Paul
- James Cronly
- John Cooper
- John Spiteri
- Julian Messina
- Lam Vu
- Leonard Busuttil
- Luciano Rocchi
- Paul Hanbridge
- Paul Winter
- Peter Hand
- Robert Stewart
- Romano Franchini
- Stanislaus Dawidowicz
- Tung Nguyen

JOHN SPITERI OFM Cap

Hi! I am brother John Spiteri ofm Cap, I would like to tell you a little about myself leading up to joining the Capuchins.

My father Michael, (now deceased), my mother Lucy, Laura and I emigrated from Malta to Australia, in March 1954. I remember asking my mother this particular night as we were going to see a film, "Will we be able to go to the pictures any more after the baby is born?" She said, "Probably not because the baby will be too young and I’ll have to prepare too many things to take with us." So on July 2nd 1954, our sister Margaret was born. So ended our film entertainment. Our family lived at Narwee (I think that is in southern Sydney) for two years, then we moved to Fairfield, where our family home has been and where my mother still lives.

The Josephite Sisters, at Smithfield (Sydney), conducted my early education until third grade, and then I went to the Patrician Brothers in grade four until 1962, when I left school at level 9. The Patrician Brothers had such a great influence on me that, at one time, I wanted to join them. However, this did not stop me from leaving school. I thought it seemed right at the time because I had been told that I would have to repeat level 9. This didn’t sound too good and so I informed my father, who was sick at the time, that I wanted to go to work to help support the family. At that time my elder sister Laura was the only one working. Mum was looking after my father and our younger sister.

After I left school in 1962, I had a few jobs until I got an apprenticeship in Monumental Stonemasonry at F.W. Arnold and Sons in Paddington, Sydney. During my apprenticeship I learnt many skills in masonry that were not available in other masonry establishments. During this time, I joined the Citizen Military Force (Reserve Army), for two years. Being very idealistic I wanted to go to Vietnam. But because I was an indentured apprentice (meaning I had a valid contract that could not be broken except for a serious breach by the firm or me) I was exempted from conscription. At the end of my duty I was given an honourable discharge and continued my apprenticeship. By the completion of my time, the firm was closing down. Later the manager assured me of another job with a larger masonry firm. I did manage to finish my time with Arnold’s, it was sad leaving them after five years, as I had made many friends.

Later I applied for an interview with the firm Loveridge & Hudson, which was arranged by my previous employer. I was hired and quickly promoted to assistant foreman in the stone yard. Later that year I was transferred to the granite yard and promoted to foreman. Here my previous experience came in handy. I had learnt how to set up and work a ‘gang saw’. This saw is monstrous – I won’t try to describe it – suffice it to say I was one of a few that could use it effectively. Unfortunately I did not stay with this firm long due to many disputes with the management.

After leaving the second firm I did some other work for about two months. Sometime later the Stonemason’s union contacted me about a vacancy with another firm R.W Watson and Sons. I applied for this job as ‘on site mason’, (this meant that I would be either working new stone for a particular job or reworking older stone or mistakes.) I was successful in my interview and was hired. I stayed there until I joined the Capuchins in 1973. It was while working with Watson’s that I met the Capuchins in 1972. I had slept in because I’d just arrived home from visiting my sister and husband in Albury. It was Sunday morning; Dad gently woke me and said, ‘If I hurried I would make the 9.00am Mass". So off I went and the only pew available was at the back. So I sat down and waited for Mass to begin. I also noticed a man in front of me who I thought must be either a priest, brother or student. I could see the crosses on his collar. After Mass I spoke with him for sometime and asked many questions. That afternoon I drove out to the Capuchin friary at Plumpton. I rang the front door bell – that gave a decent fright! It was so loud. Then a man came out dressed in shabby clothes, I thought he was a gardener but instead it was Br Phillip Nassens ofm Cap. He also introduced me to another two Capuchins, Br Hugo and Br Roland. I asked him many questions. One question was how do I go about joining them. He replied, "Why don’t you come back in January next year when the students are back from their holidays?" He did encourage me to come back and visit occasionally.

I went home and discussed the Capuchins with my parents, they seemed happy enough. Mum was a little disappointed as I had a girlfriend at the time. I think my mother had wedding bells in mind, as did my sisters, as I often brought Anne to visit my parents and took her to visit my sisters, every now and then. So the second thing I had to do was to break the news to her. Mind you at this stage I was only inquiring and so I could easily change my mind. After I told Anne about the Capuchins she was visibly upset but I wanted her to know the truth. This didn’t mean the end of our friendship, I still visited her and we went out together, but I didn’t bring her to see our family any more.

The Capuchins were now clearly on my agenda. What was not was my father becoming seriously ill and going to hospital for three months. During this time Br Phillip rang me and told me the students had returned to Plumpton so off I went to visit them. I also met Br Joseph Oudeman ofm Cap, who was Director of students. I enjoyed my visit and of the brothers I met that day there are four brothers who are still in the Order. One of them is our Provincial Minister, Br John Cooper; another is Br Paul Hanbridge, Vicar Provincial.

As I look back on those days the Caps had a profound influence on me. I had to make up my mind who was I going to be for the rest of my life. I spoke with my mother about the Caps. At first she was a little disappointed, but later Mum was very supportive and said in her usual wise way, "Who ever you go with as long as you love them and remain faithful to them, you will be happy." That afternoon Mum and I visited Dad in hospital, he looked well and was able to talk. I asked my father about the Caps because his advice would be practical. He burst into tears, because he was happy about my question to him With great difficulty he said, "Marriage is a wonderful way of life your mother and I are very happy. But to be called to become a brother or a priest is a higher calling from God and is something to think about seriously." His words caused me some anxiety because I liked Anne, but I did listen to him. The Caps deserved another visit before I made up my mind, whether I would marry or join them.

In all this confusion I prayed to Our Lady and St. Joseph for assistance and a sign. Our phone rang. It was my father asking me to pick him up from the hospital. So I drove in, picked him up and on the way home my father said, "I give you my blessing to join the Capuchins and don’t worry God will not let you down even when things get really tough." It was a good sign. In the end the Caps won out. As we made our way home I told my father about a dream I had when I was very young, and that my grandfather in Malta, (Dad’s father) had written me a letter. In this letter he explained the dream that I had without me telling him anything about it. My father said "Your grandfather is a Franciscan too and he knows about these things, so write him a letter and tell him everything."

At my next visit to the Caps I spoke with Br Joseph Oudeman about joining them. He said, "I was going to ask you what you intended to do. You read my mind and answered my question." He gave me the admission forms and asked me to return them when they were completed. I also asked him for some serious material to read about St. Francis. Later, as I was reading about Francis I read where he was rebuilding a chapel. I was working at St. Mary’s Cathedral at that time and thought that I did have something in common with him. He did some masonry too. I had already toyed with the idea of becoming a Capuchin brother or priest. I also consulted our parish priest; about the Caps and he was very supportive and was making jokes about them. He was Benedictine. By this time (November ‘72) I was about to resign my job with Mr. Watson. When I did he was so surprised with my decision he said, "Your job is open for one year if you change your mind."

Sometime later I received a phone call from Br Joseph and was told my admission papers had been accepted and to expect a letter from Br Patrick Colbourne Ofm Cap. The Caps’ letter arrived on the 23rd December 1972. I was so excited I rang my cousin Joe, and told him about my acceptance to the Caps. I was to be the best man at his wedding on the 24th February 1973. As I recall Joe and Jacklyn’s wedding was a very moving event. I thought that this event was to be my final fling in the world. (This is what I was leaded to believe by other religious I’d met.) Well the wedding was a beautiful way to leave my family, relatives and join the Caps.

Our postulancy began on the evening of the 25th February 1973, when the Capuchin Order accepted the six of us into its way of life. It was a difficult time for me with the adaptation into community life, prayer, study and work. This time really tested my faith and patience. I remember that I worked very hard learning many things. One of them was cooking, through the devious methods of Br Phillip. He asked me if I wanted to go fishing and I replied "Yes." The next day I was waiting in the kitchen. Phillip came in and asked if I was ready for fishing. Again I replied "Yes". So he disappeared and returned with a bag of potatoes. I thought it was for our cook but he opened it and put the contents into the large sink and half-filled it with water. Then he said, "Ok John" in his half-southern accent he said "Start fishing out the spuds and peel them". I was so surprised I said to him, "This is not fishing. This is cooking." He replied, "Sure is honey child." I had never peeled a potato in my life. So that day was my introduction to cooking Phillip style. So in the end all of us had a go in the kitchen. Sadly by the end of postulancy three members of our group had left. At the end of the year Br Joseph encouraged us to write for permission to enter the Novitiate in 1974.

In January 1974 Thomas Justice and I arrived at Wynnum North (Brisbane), to begin our novitiate. We arrived in the middle of a cyclone! It was pouring rain and we got soaking wet running from the car to the front door of the house. Jude Shipman arrived the next day. Brs. Carmel Flora ofm Cap and Bede Louson ofm Cap and the novices welcomed us to the novitiate. Later in a para-liturgy we received our religious habits. After about four months my two conferees left and I battled on. Sometimes I felt severely tested by the Lord and Br Bede. But with the grace of God, and the encouragement of my Capuchin conferees, I finished my novitiate and made my first Profession as a Capuchin brother.

After first Profession I was transferred to Plumpton to begin my training as a Capuchin Lay brother. I remember Br Phillip telling me that a good Capuchin brother should be able to put his hand to anything. This is also the voice of our Capuchin Constitutions. Phillip was one my greatest friends and models of the Capuchin brother that I knew. (He has been ordained a priest since.) So I learned a lot of skills in those early years...

By the time I came for Solemn Profession, I was able to do many of the jobs to help make the seminary life run more smoothly. Some of my apostolates were, as a catechist and later catechist teacher. I prepared children and young adults to receive the sacraments. I was coordinator of a parish catechetical team, and coordinator of a parish pastoral care group. I did parish visitation and was involved in adult faith education, to name a few things.

It was during my stay in Newton, Adelaide, that I felt deeply inspired about the priesthood. I sought the advice of a priest who encouraged me to consult our local Capuchin community about my desire for the priesthood. I was encouraged by their advice. Then I was directed to write to our Provincial Minister who would help me discern my calling to the priesthood. I remember I never prayed so fervently as I did the week before I wrote to the Provincial. After eight weeks I received a letter from Br Joseph Oudeman, he had accepted my request to study for the priesthood. But there was a proviso, completion of my studies for the Batchelor of Theology would not necessarily mean immediate reception of Orders. I accepted his advice as wise, practical, and as a sign from God. In order to undertake these studies I was transferred to Hawthorn, Melbourne, to attend lectures at Yarra Theological College, at Box-Hill. I had heard from other students that this institute was very tough. This news did not help my anxieties. Nevertheless, I knew deep down that the Lord wanted me here and I would do my best until I was asked to stop my studies.

As I approach my final year of studies and my ordination I still find it hard to believe just how much the Lord loves me. It is an overwhelming experience that one cannot fully articulate. I owe our God a debt I can never repay. Since I began these studies I am also appreciating the importance and the richness of twenty years of pastoral experience, at the level of studies and in dealing with issues that occur daily. I take these gifts from God to the priesthood. There is an essential element in my formation that is the encouragement I have received from the different Capuchin communities I lived in. I also believe the Lord is calling me to expand this vision and understanding of what it will mean to be an ordained Capuchin brother. That is, in the service of the People of God and our Capuchin community.