|
 When
the Marquis Vincenzo Bugeja together with his friend
Sir Ferdinand Inglott told H.H. Pope Pius IX about
his intention of institution a conservatoire for the
female orphans of destitute nobles, His Holiness
replied that "he who for justice's sake seeks to
educate the masses is like a star that shines
forever".
Vincenzo Bugeja's (born 1820) good deeds have indeed
shone for the last hundred years. Since he opened
his conservatoire in B'Kara on 18th May 1880 his
name became a synonym for generosity. Together with
his wife, the Marquess Anne, he devoted all his
energy and money to help those less fortunate then
him. Besides the funds need for the upkeep and
maintenance of the conservatoire for girls, he
bequeathed L20,000 for the poor. L30,000 for the
building of a Trade School for boys, later known as
San Filippo Neri, L20,000 for emigration grants to
needy workers, and L26000 for the building of a
trade school.
On 6th April 1876 he was created Knight of the
Garter by Prince Edward of Wales during his stop in
Malta on his way back from India. Earlier he had
also been made Marquis by Pope Leo XIII.
During the latter half of the nineteenth century he
was often in the forefront of local politics. As
member of the council of Government he was often
responsible for a number of amendments in the
criminal and commercial laws which brought relieving
reforms to the various needy sectors of the Maltese
society.
Vincenzo Bugeja was married to Anna Darbois but died
childless on 9th September 1890. |
