Nazzareno Camilleri
Encyclopedia
Nazzareno Camilleri was a Maltese philosopher, theologian, and mystic
. His areas of specialisation in philosophy were chiefly metaphysics
and pedagogy
.
, Malta
, on November 10, 1906. Since his family lived very close to the Salesian
oratory there, he was familiar with the Salesians
from a very tender age. He joined them at the young age of fifteen, in 1921, and immediately sent to Sicily
to continue his studies at San Gregorio di Catania
.
He studied there up till 1926, when subsequently he was enrolled at the Jesuit Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
to pursue his institutional studies for the priesthood. There he successfully completed his philosophy (1926-29) and theology (1931-35) courses. Between the two (1929-31), he was sent for a short stint to Sicily
to teach at San Gregorio di Catania
. He was ordained a priest
in Malta
in 1934.
, Camilleri was sent to Rome
, to the Salesian
oratory situated close to the Catacombs of San Callisto. Here he was appointed professor of theology
and Prefect of Studies.
Camilleri stayed there for two years, until 1937. He was afterwards sent to teach moral theology
at the Don Bosco International Institute at the Crocetta, Turin
. Here he stayed for another two years, at the end of which he successfully completed his doctorate
in theology
.
In 1940, when Italy
entered World War II
on the Axis
side, Camilleri was interned, since, as a Maltese
citizen, he was a British
subject. He spent the war period in the north of Italy
, first at Chieri
(1940-42), then at Montalenghe
(1942-45). At Chieri
he was Director of the Salesian
theology students; at Montalenghe
, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy.
as Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University
. He stayed in this office for nine years (1945-54), teaching dogmatic theology
and ascetism. Afterwards, at the same university, he taught at the Institute of Pedagogy
and Religious Studies
(later, in 1956, called the Faculty of Educational Sciences) eleven years, up till 1965.
At the close of that academic year (1964-65), the whole of the Turin
branch of the university was assimilated by the Rome
branch. Thus Camilleri continued to teach at Salesian Pontifical University
in Rome
for another year, retiring from his teaching profession due to ill health in 1966..
He died in Rome
on February 29, 1973, in aura sanctitatis (in fame of holiness). He was buried at the Cemetery of Genzano in Rome
within the chapel of the Salesians
.
began the process for his canonisation. The so-called Evidential Statements of Witness to his heroic virtues
were published in 1989. Camilleri bears the title of Venerable
.
in Rome
.
linked, however, to the insights and sensibleness he read in the documents of the Second Vatican Council
.
Camilleri cherished a deep affection for the thinking of Thomas Aquinas
, and desired that his students learn to read him attentively and interpret him faithfully. Camilleri was no arid or repetitive Thomist. Intellectually, he harboured an active mind. In this some compared him to Antonio Rosmini.
On the other hand, Camilleri was not attracted to positive research for its own sake. He always seems to have seen his philosophical studies in the context of concrete life, particularly the Christian
way of life. His objectives were speculative, one might say, but always at the service of practicality.
Much research and study is still to be done on the philosophy of Camilleri. Though the outlines are known, the specific knowledge of his philosophy is as yet unidentified.
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
. His areas of specialisation in philosophy were chiefly metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
and pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
.
Beginnings
Camilleri was born at SliemaSliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, on November 10, 1906. Since his family lived very close to the Salesian
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
oratory there, he was familiar with the Salesians
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
from a very tender age. He joined them at the young age of fifteen, in 1921, and immediately sent to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
to continue his studies at San Gregorio di Catania
San Gregorio di Catania
San Gregorio di Catania is a comune in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 km southeast of Palermo and about 7 km northeast of Catania....
.
He studied there up till 1926, when subsequently he was enrolled at the Jesuit Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to pursue his institutional studies for the priesthood. There he successfully completed his philosophy (1926-29) and theology (1931-35) courses. Between the two (1929-31), he was sent for a short stint to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
to teach at San Gregorio di Catania
San Gregorio di Catania
San Gregorio di Catania is a comune in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 170 km southeast of Palermo and about 7 km northeast of Catania....
. He was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
in 1934.
Pre-war and war periods
After finishing his studies in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Camilleri was sent to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, to the Salesian
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
oratory situated close to the Catacombs of San Callisto. Here he was appointed professor of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and Prefect of Studies.
Camilleri stayed there for two years, until 1937. He was afterwards sent to teach moral theology
Moral theology
Moral theology is a systematic theological treatment of Christian ethics. It is usually taught on Divinity faculties as a part of the basic curriculum.- External links :*...
at the Don Bosco International Institute at the Crocetta, Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. Here he stayed for another two years, at the end of which he successfully completed his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
In 1940, when Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on the Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
side, Camilleri was interned, since, as a Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
citizen, he was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
subject. He spent the war period in the north of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, first at Chieri
Chieri
Chieri is a town and comune in the province of Turin, Piedmont , located about 11 km southeast of Turin...
(1940-42), then at Montalenghe
Montalenghe
Montalenghe is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 30 km northeast of Turin.-Main sights:*Church of San Pietro, built in the 13th century but restored in the late 19th century....
(1942-45). At Chieri
Chieri
Chieri is a town and comune in the province of Turin, Piedmont , located about 11 km southeast of Turin...
he was Director of the Salesian
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
theology students; at Montalenghe
Montalenghe
Montalenghe is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 30 km northeast of Turin.-Main sights:*Church of San Pietro, built in the 13th century but restored in the late 19th century....
, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy.
At Turin, Rome and death
After the end of the war, Camilleri was back at TurinTurin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
as Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University
Salesian Pontifical University
The Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
. He stayed in this office for nine years (1945-54), teaching dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology is that part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and his works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Reformed Church, etc...
and ascetism. Afterwards, at the same university, he taught at the Institute of Pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
and Religious Studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
(later, in 1956, called the Faculty of Educational Sciences) eleven years, up till 1965.
At the close of that academic year (1964-65), the whole of the Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
branch of the university was assimilated by the Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
branch. Thus Camilleri continued to teach at Salesian Pontifical University
Salesian Pontifical University
The Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
for another year, retiring from his teaching profession due to ill health in 1966..
He died in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
on February 29, 1973, in aura sanctitatis (in fame of holiness). He was buried at the Cemetery of Genzano in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
within the chapel of the Salesians
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
.
Sainthood
Twenty-one years after Camilleri’s death, in 1994, the SalesiansSalesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
began the process for his canonisation. The so-called Evidential Statements of Witness to his heroic virtues
Heroic virtue
Heroic virtue is a phrase coined by Augustine of Hippo to describe the virtue of early Christian martyrs and used by the Roman Catholic church. The Greek pagan term hero described a person with possibly superhuman abilities and great goodness, and "it connotes a degree of bravery, fame, and...
were published in 1989. Camilleri bears the title of Venerable
Venerable
The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches. It is also the common English-language translation of a number of Buddhist titles.-Roman Catholic:...
.
Unpublished Journal
Between September 1923 and February 1973 (nine days before his death), Camilleri held a diary which was never intended to be published or even read by others. Its Italian publishers call it Diario Intimo (Intimate Journal). Unfortunately, only short extracts of this remarkable document have ever been published. It runs over twenty-eight registers containing in all some four thousand pages. They are held at the archives of the Salesian Pontifical UniversitySalesian Pontifical University
The Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Representative writings
The following works are probably the most representative works of Camilleri’s philosophical thought and speculation.- 1949 – De Ineffabili Essentia Metaphysica Libertatis (Concerning the Essential Transcendental Metaphysics of Freedom). A 55-page book in Latin published in TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. The main thesis in this work is that freedom is a relationship which is intentionally chosen. However, at the same time, freedom suffers no change in itself. - 1858 – Una Tesi Antiprobabilista (An Anti-Probabilistic Thesis). A 33-page book in Italian published in TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. The work is a philosophical-moral investigation on the problem of probabilismProbabilismIn theology and philosophy, probabilism refers to an ancient Greek doctrine of academic skepticism. It holds that in the absence of certainty, probability is the best criterion...
. - 1965 – Relazionismo Co-Ontologico (Co-Ontological Relationships). A 72-page article published in the book De Deo: Praelecitonum Selectio (Concerning God: A choice of articles) in RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. This is purely metaphysical work which investigates the qualities and the most intimate and profound nature of the relationship between creation and the creator. In other words, it is a study of the metaphysical (or radical) relationship between beings and absolute being. - Undated – De ‘Adoptiva’ nostra Filiatione Divina (Our ‘Adoptive’ Divine Sonship). A manuscript held at the Salesian Pontifical UniversitySalesian Pontifical UniversityThe Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
in RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
typed by Camilleri himself. It is basically 105 pages of class notes in which, apart from fundamental issues, Camilleri deals with the communication of divine life to humans through Jesus Christ.
Other works
The following are the other published works of Camilleri. Though no review is provided here, any one of these works might be of interest to philosophy, especially for a holistic view of Camilleri’s philosophy.- 1944 – De Natura Actus Visionis Beatificæ (Concerning the Nature of the Actual Beatific Vision; unpublished)
- 1951 – Preparazione specifica all’Apostolato dell’Educazione (The Specific Preparation needed for Educational Apostolate)
- 1953 – Confessori Educatori (Educational Confessors)
- 1957 – Da Mihi Animas (Offering My Own Soul)
- 1957 – L’Ex-Allievo Salesiano Provveduto (Supplying the SalesianSalesians of Don BoscoThe Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
Ex-Student) - 1958 – La Devozione Mariana nel Santo Adoloscente Domenico Savio (The Marian Devotion of the Adolescent Saint Dominic SavioDominic SavioDominic Savio was an Italian adolescent student of Saint John Bosco. He was studying to be a priest when he became ill and died at the age of 14, possibly from pleurisy....
) - 1959 – Defensor Putitatis (The Defender of Purity)
- 1960 – Principi di Pedagogia Cristiana (Principles of ChristianChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
PedagogyPedagogyPedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
) - 1961 – The Problem of Teenage Purity
- 1961 – I Novissimi e la Comunione dei Santi (The End of Times and the Communion of Saints)
- 1962 – La Maestra delle Novizie (The Superior of Female Novices)
- 1962 – La Grande Indulgenza del Lavoro (The Great IndulgenceIndulgenceIn Catholic theology, an indulgence is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the Catholic Church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution...
of LabourWage labourWage labour is the socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer, where the worker sells their labour under a formal or informal employment contract. These transactions usually occur in a labour market where wages are market determined...
) - 1962 – Spirito e Opera della S. Maria D. Mazzarello (The Spirit and Work of St. Mary D. Mazzarello)
- 1963 – Teologia Pneumatica della Prudenza Cristiana (The Spiritual Theology of ChristianChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
PrudencePrudencePrudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. It is classically considered to be a virtue, and in particular one of the four Cardinal virtues .The word comes from Old French prudence , from Latin...
) - 1964 – Il Direttore Salesiano (The SalesianSalesians of Don BoscoThe Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
Director) - 1966 – Teologia e Liturgia (TheologyTheologyTheology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and LiturgyLiturgyLiturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
) - 1967 – Costituzione Dogmatica sopra la Chiesa; Decreto sopra le Chiese Orientali Cattoliche (The Dogmatic Constitution on the ChurchLumen GentiumLumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5...
; [and] the Decree on the Eastern Catholic ChurchesOrientalium EcclesiarumOrientalium Ecclesiarum is the Decree on the Eastern Catholic Churches from the Second Vatican Council. One of the shorter such documents, it was passed by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,110 to 39 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964...
[of the Second Vatican Council]) - 1967 – La Chiesa nel Mondo Contemporaneo; L’Apostolato dei Laici; I Mezzi della Comunicazione Sociale ( The Church in the Modern WorldGaudium et SpesGaudium et Spes , the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, was one of the four Apostolic Constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council...
; the Apostolate of the LaityApostolicam ActuositatemApostolicam Actuositatem is the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity. It was approved by a vote of 2,340 to 2 of bishops assembled at the Council, and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965...
; [and] the Media of Social CommunicationsInter MirificaInter Mirifica is the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Media of Social Communications. It was approved by a vote of 1,960 to 164 of the bishops assembled, and promulgated on December 4, 1963 by Pope Paul VI...
[of the Second Vatican Council])
Articles
Camilleri published some 360 articles. These have still not been classified or compiled, much less studied or analysed. The articles were published in journals such as the following:Abroad
Salesianum, Orientamenti Pedagogici, Rivista di Pedagogia e Scienze Religiose, Perfice Munus, Doctor Communis, Catechesi, Didascalia, Settimana del Clero, Meridiano 12, Rivista dei Giovani, Presenza Cristiana (Catania), Bollettino Salesiano, Voci Fraterne, Le Campagnie, Can Roma, Teatro dei Giovani, Il Salesiano Coadiutore, Unione, L’Osservatore Romano, Il Nostro Tempo, and Il Popolo Nuovo.In Malta
Buttlettin Salesjan, Lehen is-Sewwa, Il-Hajja, The Future, Times of Malta, Il Ponte, and Malta.Appreciation
The intellectual, professional and practical work of Camilleri was all related to education, particularly the youth education. Well-known for his personal holiness, Camilleri possesses a formidable speculative mind. In his teaching and writings he communicates the security and finesse he encountered in the philosophy and theology of scholasticismScholasticism
Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1500, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic context...
linked, however, to the insights and sensibleness he read in the documents of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
.
Camilleri cherished a deep affection for the thinking of Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, and desired that his students learn to read him attentively and interpret him faithfully. Camilleri was no arid or repetitive Thomist. Intellectually, he harboured an active mind. In this some compared him to Antonio Rosmini.
On the other hand, Camilleri was not attracted to positive research for its own sake. He always seems to have seen his philosophical studies in the context of concrete life, particularly the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
way of life. His objectives were speculative, one might say, but always at the service of practicality.
Much research and study is still to be done on the philosophy of Camilleri. Though the outlines are known, the specific knowledge of his philosophy is as yet unidentified.
Sources
- Eugenio Valentini, ed., Don Nazareno Camilleri nel suo ‘Diario Intimo’ (Fr. Nazzareno Camilleri in his ‘Intimate Diary’), Collana Spirito e Vita, no. 3, Libreria Ateneo Salesiano, Rome, Italy, 1975
- Eugenio Valentini, Don Nazareno Camilleri: Un maestro di vita spirituale (Fr. Nazzareno Camilleri: A master of spiritual life), Collana Sprito e Vita, no. 2, Libreria Ateneo Salesiano, Rome, Italy, 1979.
- Eugenio Valentini, ed., Articoli di Prova Tesimoniale (Evidential Statements of Witness), Università Pontificia Salesiana, Rome, Italy, 1989.
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.