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HENRY AND INEZ CASOLANI

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Henry and Inez Casolani were married on 19 April 1944 at St. Augustine’s Church in Valletta (Malta). They lived at Valletta until 1964 when they moved to Guardamangia. In 1984 they retired in the convent of the Sisters of St Joseph at Rabat. Henry Casolani, son of George and Maria Concetta nee Borg was born at Valletta on the 25th November 1917 and was baptized at the Parish church of St Paul in Valletta on the 29th of that same month. He died on 29th December 1999. Inez Casolani was born at Cospicua, Malta on the 11th October 1915 and was baptized at the Immaculate Conception Church at Cospicua two days later. She died on 13th July 1992. Henry and Inez Casolani had an only child, Cecilia Mary who became a Sister of St Joseph of the Apparition in 1964.

Henry Casolani
Born17th November 1917
Died29th December 1999
Spouse(s)Henry and Inez Casolani were married on 19th April 1944 at St.Augustine Church, Valletta - Malta

Henry Casolani

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Henry Casolani was born in Valletta, Malta on the 25th November 1917. Henry was polite, helpful and well-mannered and from his very early childhood till the very end of his life, was never ever heard utter any word against anyone – a record he never broke until death.  He was a born artist.  Henry was already engaged to Inez when he won a scholarship to pursue his artistic studies in Italy; however, he declined the offer as he did not want to be separated from Inez for such a long time.  

At the start of the Second World War Henry Casolani was seconded with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Thereafter, and until he was pensioned in 1977, Henry spent a life-long career as a senior draughtsman at the Malta Public Works Department. At his workplace and according to all those who worked with him Henry Casolani created an atmosphere filled with the spirit of the Gospel. He was most upright in his ways and was trusted by one and all.  He was exceptionally virtuous, honest and unselfish.  He was good-humoured and friendly with everyone.  Henry was considered by all those who knew him an agent of peace, who was capable of building ‘bridges’ among his colleagues. Henry used to lead his companions daily into prayer and reminded them of their religious duties.

Henry Casolani never held a grudge against anyone. It was with kindness and affection that he treated those who were unjust with him. He wrote: “A good motto is: speak no evil against anyone, but praise those who deserve it.” [1]  Whenever he went out, Henry always carried money specifically to donate to those who collected for charity or who asked for help.

Henry Casolani’s total surrender to God is confirmed by an outstanding and instantaneous healing of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy which, according to medical people, is scientifically inexplicable[2].  Henry passed away on the 29th December 1999. The last words he uttered were addressed to Our Lady: “Mother of God have mercy on me!”[3]

The Process for the Beatification and Canonisation of Henry and Inez Casolani commenced on 29 August 2015 under the Archbishop of Malta, Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna who conferred upon them the title Servants of God[4][5]. Fr Josef Sciberras OSA is the Postulator of the Process.[6]

INEZ CASOLANI

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Inez Casolani
 
Born
11th October 1915
Died13th July 1992
Spouse(s)Henry and Inez Casolani were married on 19th April 1944 at St.Augustine Church, Valletta - Malta

Inez Casolani née Vassallo was born at Cospicua, Malta on the 11th October 1915. Inez was brought up as

a knowledgeable and studious girl. From a tender age she stood out for her love of prayer. She was diligent, obedient and also most sensitive to the needs of her family and the less fortunate.  She was a qualified and prolific teacher. Yet, when she was married in 1944, she gave up her teaching profession in order to dedicate herself totally to her family. This, however, did not stop her from giving private lessons to the poor and the needy as she had oftentimes done before marriage. Inez was active in the life of the Parish community mostly through her spiritual writings. She was also an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary and a member of the Ambassadors of Mary. She was a promoter of the Night Hour Adoration of the Holy Eucharist.

Inez Casolani embraced her married vocation with zeal and dedication. Her letters to her daughter were filled with descriptions of warmth at home.  Inez was always very inventive in cooking, knitting, giving recipes, writing articles and seeing to her family’s needs. She nurtured her daughter’s trust in God and trained her to lead a God-fearing life.  Inez created a relaxed and happy atmosphere at home. It was Inez herself who prepared her five year old daughter Cecilia for her first Holy Communion, helping her to pray “Oh Jesus, I promise to make my Holy Communions worthily in reparation for those who are unwilling to be friends with you.”[7]

In one of her letters to her same missionary daughter in India, Inez wrote: “Although so far away from each other, be certain that we follow you spiritually every single minute, both during the day and at night.” [8]

Inez Casolani died on the 13th July 1992. Her spiritual testament ‘I take record of God. In Thee I have had my earthly joy’ testifies to her total surrender to God.[9]

On 29th August 2015 the Archbishop of Malta, Mgr Charles J. Scicluna initiated the Beatification and Canonisation Process of Henry and Inez Casolani and conferred upon them the title of Servants of God.[10] Fr. Josef Sciberras OSA is the Postulator of the Process.[11]

Henry and Inez’s engagement

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Henry and Inez’s engagement was quite difficult for reasons beyond their control. It coincided with Malta’s time of trial during World War II and they had to make do with next to nothing. Henry Casolani was seconded to the Royal Army Medical Corps under strict military discipline; both of the fathers had died lately; they were both exposed to the dangers of war and they had little time to meet. The school in which Inez taught was bombed. She in fact worked for the British Military Services for a while to help financially her mother and her family[12].[13]

Everyday Life

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After that they were married, Inez dedicated herself totally for the family. She was jovial in character and made friends easily. Many persons used to trust Inez with their difficulties and problems since she always could give a good advice and they found solace in her words. During the daily chores she used to pray continuously since God was always on her mind. Together with Henry, Inez was a living Gospel. She was kind hearted, she loved, helped and offered advice to everybody. She was generous sincere and scrupulous in her duties. She could empathise with her friends since she was quite experienced in human relations and fortified in her spirituality. Inez was a woman of faith and trusted in God totally. In her own difficulties, she never lost heart. S[14]he used to think and pray for her neighbour. Her concern was that of giving rather than receiving. She felt that she had to give a reckoning to God for her actions. Moments before her demise she wrote her last words: `I take record of GOD: In Thee I have had my earthly joy. `[15]

The ordinary life of Henry and Inez Casolani was a model of Christian virtues. Faith, hope and charity were practiced constantly by them. Witness to their great faith is that God was on their mind at all times. They were also recipients of extraordinary healings with the intercession of three Maltese Blesseds. By December 1992 Henry had been suffering of very poor eyesight for three years due to diabetes. On the occasion of the Mass celebrated on the birth anniversary of the Venerable (now Blessed) Adeodata Pisani on 29 December 1992, a holy picture was put in front of his eyes and he regained his perfect eyesight instantly. [16]When Henry and Inez visited their daughter Sr Cecilia in France, Henry developed an infection in his nose and throat that could not be cured. After a few days when the couple was on the train in Italy, Henry thought of the Maltese Venerable (now Blessed) Nazju Falzon notwithstanding the fact that he was not particularly devoted to the Venerable cleric. Henry was instantaneously healed of his infection. Years later Inez had been suffering from migraine and fever for days on end. Henry took her temperature that was still high. Moments later he wiped the thermometer in a cotton wool, although he was oblivious of the fact that the wool had touched the Venerable (now Blessed) Father George Preca’s body. As soon as he tried Inez’s temperature again, she was healed. These three episodes witness to their faith. [17]

Spirituality

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Henry and Inez Casolani loved God above all else, and they also loved Our Lady and the Saints greatly. They never missed the daily Mass, the Eucharist, and the Holy Rosary. They prayed everyday and also indulged in silent meditation. More than two hundred persons witnessed to the great respect of Henry and Inez Casolani towards each other and their daughter, religious persons and any other person of whatever race or creed. Together, Henry and Inez Casolani constitute a synergy of righteousness and holiness, a model for righteous couples and as a model of a Christian family. What was really extraordinary with Henry and Inez Casolani was their unstinting witness to Gospel values lived in the ordinary daily life.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Servants of God – Henry and Ineż Casolani". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  2. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre Publications, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. p. 95. ISBN 99932 - 0 - 383 - 1.
  3. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre Publications, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. p. 113. ISBN 99932 - 0 - 383 - 1.
  4. ^ "A husband and wife from Malta are being considered for beatification and canonization". www.romereports.com. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  5. ^ "Beatification and Canonisation process starts for Henry and Inez Casolani". Archdiocese of Malta. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  6. ^ "New postulator for the cause of beatification and canonisation of Henry and Inez Casolani". Archdiocese of Malta. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  7. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. p. 20. ISBN 99932 - 0- 383 - 1.
  8. ^ "Servants of God – Henry and Ineż Casolani". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  9. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre Publications, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. p. 137. ISBN 99932 - 0 - 383 - 1.
  10. ^ "Beatification and Canonisation process starts for Henry and Inez Casolani". Archdiocese of Malta. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  11. ^ "New postulator for the cause of beatification and canonisation of Henry and Inez Casolani". Archdiocese of Malta. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  12. ^ "The exemplary life of Henry and Inez Casolani". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  13. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre Publications, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. pp. 8–9. ISBN 99932 - 0 - 383 - 1.
  14. ^ "Beatification process of Maltese couple to kick off tonight". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  15. ^ "Daughter reacts as Maltese couple is touted for canonisation". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  16. ^ "HENRY AND INEZ CASOLANI". Archdiocese of Malta. 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  17. ^ Quintano, Anton (2005). Henry and Inez Casolani - A Couple Moulded in Christ. Malta: Media Centre Publications, Blata l-Bajda, Malta. pp. 83–86. ISBN 99932 - 0 - 383 - 1.
  18. ^ "HENRY AND INEZ CASOLANI". Archdiocese of Malta. 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
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