Former Auxiliary of the Diocese of Malta and Bishop of the Titular See of Selinonte, Monsignor Angelo Portelli OP., was born Francis Xavier Portelli in Valletta, Malta, on April 24, 1852, to Francesco Portelli and Maria Antonia Vella. Joining the Order of Friars Preachers at the Motherhouse in Notabile on February 3, 1868, he received the name Angelo.
Following the novitiate year, he made his profession on February 3, 1868, and after successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology at the St. Thomas of Aquinas College of Notabile, was ordained to the priesthood in 1874. Two years later, he obtained the grade of lector in theology.
Successively, Friar Angelo taught various subjects at the named College of Notabile, including philosophy, theology, and Holy Scriptures, between 1876 and 1882, and again between 1885 and 1892. Regent of studies and master of novices from 1887 till 1892, in 1891, he obtained a degree in theology. In 1883, the Dominican Friars of Vittoriosa chose him as their prior, but he resigned shortly afterwards in order to pursue his lectures to the Dominican students.
An observant friar, admired for his intellect and studies, as well as for his apostleship, Portelli was assigned to the priory of Our Lady of Porto Salvo of Valletta in 1893, where he served as chaplain between 1896 and 1902. A keen orator, Friar Angelo preached sermons, conferences, spiritual exercises and recited panegyrics across the islands of Malta and Gozo, and also in Italy, mainly in Rome, Turin and Vercelli.
He also held various other offices, including those of examiner and prosynodal judge, philosophy examiner at the Bishop's Seminary, ordinands examiner and member of the Diocesan Commission against Modernism. In 1910, he was appointed apostolic visitor to all female religious congregations in Malta and Gozo, a task which he managed to conclude by the end of that same year.
At 58 years of age, Portelli was appointed Auxiliary for Msgr. Pietro Pace for the See of Malta by Pope Pius X, receiving his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Selinonte on May 14, 1911. Assisting Monsignor Pace, who at the time was ailing in health due to his advanced age, following his demise in 1914, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until Dom Mauro Caruana OSB., was named as successor on January 22, 1915.
That same year, Monsignor Caruana named Bishop Portelli as Vicar General of the Diocese. He was so close to all classes of people that he remains to be called to this day as "the Bishop who was loved by all".
Bishop Angelo Portelli passed away after a short illness on June 19, 1927, aged 75, inside his residence, near the Dominican Priory of Valletta. The following day, he was laid out in state at the Doctrine Oratory. Funeral Mass was celebrated in the morning of June 21, at the Porto Salvo Parish church. According to his wishes, Msgr. Portelli was buried, clad in his Dominican habit, at the Our Lady of the Grotto church at Rabat, next to his brethren in the crypt beneath the main altar. However, a year later, his remains were transferred to a specially constructed vault inside the same church.
Following the novitiate year, he made his profession on February 3, 1868, and after successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology at the St. Thomas of Aquinas College of Notabile, was ordained to the priesthood in 1874. Two years later, he obtained the grade of lector in theology.
Successively, Friar Angelo taught various subjects at the named College of Notabile, including philosophy, theology, and Holy Scriptures, between 1876 and 1882, and again between 1885 and 1892. Regent of studies and master of novices from 1887 till 1892, in 1891, he obtained a degree in theology. In 1883, the Dominican Friars of Vittoriosa chose him as their prior, but he resigned shortly afterwards in order to pursue his lectures to the Dominican students.
An observant friar, admired for his intellect and studies, as well as for his apostleship, Portelli was assigned to the priory of Our Lady of Porto Salvo of Valletta in 1893, where he served as chaplain between 1896 and 1902. A keen orator, Friar Angelo preached sermons, conferences, spiritual exercises and recited panegyrics across the islands of Malta and Gozo, and also in Italy, mainly in Rome, Turin and Vercelli.
He also held various other offices, including those of examiner and prosynodal judge, philosophy examiner at the Bishop's Seminary, ordinands examiner and member of the Diocesan Commission against Modernism. In 1910, he was appointed apostolic visitor to all female religious congregations in Malta and Gozo, a task which he managed to conclude by the end of that same year.
At 58 years of age, Portelli was appointed Auxiliary for Msgr. Pietro Pace for the See of Malta by Pope Pius X, receiving his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Selinonte on May 14, 1911. Assisting Monsignor Pace, who at the time was ailing in health due to his advanced age, following his demise in 1914, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until Dom Mauro Caruana OSB., was named as successor on January 22, 1915.
That same year, Monsignor Caruana named Bishop Portelli as Vicar General of the Diocese. He was so close to all classes of people that he remains to be called to this day as "the Bishop who was loved by all".
Bishop Angelo Portelli passed away after a short illness on June 19, 1927, aged 75, inside his residence, near the Dominican Priory of Valletta. The following day, he was laid out in state at the Doctrine Oratory. Funeral Mass was celebrated in the morning of June 21, at the Porto Salvo Parish church. According to his wishes, Msgr. Portelli was buried, clad in his Dominican habit, at the Our Lady of the Grotto church at Rabat, next to his brethren in the crypt beneath the main altar. However, a year later, his remains were transferred to a specially constructed vault inside the same church.
Former Auxiliary of the Diocese of Malta and Bishop of the Titular See of Selinonte, Monsignor Angelo Portelli OP., was born Francis Xavier Portelli in Valletta, Malta, on April 24, 1852, to Francesco Portelli and Maria Antonia Vella. Joining the Order of Friars Preachers at the Motherhouse in Notabile on February 3, 1868, he received the name Angelo.
Following the novitiate year, he made his profession on February 3, 1868, and after successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology at the St. Thomas of Aquinas College of Notabile, was ordained to the priesthood in 1874. Two years later, he obtained the grade of lector in theology.
Successively, Friar Angelo taught various subjects at the named College of Notabile, including philosophy, theology, and Holy Scriptures, between 1876 and 1882, and again between 1885 and 1892. Regent of studies and master of novices from 1887 till 1892, in 1891, he obtained a degree in theology. In 1883, the Dominican Friars of Vittoriosa chose him as their prior, but he resigned shortly afterwards in order to pursue his lectures to the Dominican students.
An observant friar, admired for his intellect and studies, as well as for his apostleship, Portelli was assigned to the priory of Our Lady of Porto Salvo of Valletta in 1893, where he served as chaplain between 1896 and 1902. A keen orator, Friar Angelo preached sermons, conferences, spiritual exercises and recited panegyrics across the islands of Malta and Gozo, and also in Italy, mainly in Rome, Turin and Vercelli.
He also held various other offices, including those of examiner and prosynodal judge, philosophy examiner at the Bishop's Seminary, ordinands examiner and member of the Diocesan Commission against Modernism. In 1910, he was appointed apostolic visitor to all female religious congregations in Malta and Gozo, a task which he managed to conclude by the end of that same year.
At 58 years of age, Portelli was appointed Auxiliary for Msgr. Pietro Pace for the See of Malta by Pope Pius X, receiving his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Selinonte on May 14, 1911. Assisting Monsignor Pace, who at the time was ailing in health due to his advanced age, following his demise in 1914, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until Dom Mauro Caruana OSB., was named as successor on January 22, 1915.
That same year, Monsignor Caruana named Bishop Portelli as Vicar General of the Diocese. He was so close to all classes of people that he remains to be called to this day as "the Bishop who was loved by all".
Bishop Angelo Portelli passed away after a short illness on June 19, 1927, aged 75, inside his residence, near the Dominican Priory of Valletta. The following day, he was laid out in state at the Doctrine Oratory. Funeral Mass was celebrated in the morning of June 21, at the Porto Salvo Parish church. According to his wishes, Msgr. Portelli was buried, clad in his Dominican habit, at the Our Lady of the Grotto church at Rabat, next to his brethren in the crypt beneath the main altar. However, a year later, his remains were transferred to a specially constructed vault inside the same church.
Following the novitiate year, he made his profession on February 3, 1868, and after successfully finishing his studies in philosophy and theology at the St. Thomas of Aquinas College of Notabile, was ordained to the priesthood in 1874. Two years later, he obtained the grade of lector in theology.
Successively, Friar Angelo taught various subjects at the named College of Notabile, including philosophy, theology, and Holy Scriptures, between 1876 and 1882, and again between 1885 and 1892. Regent of studies and master of novices from 1887 till 1892, in 1891, he obtained a degree in theology. In 1883, the Dominican Friars of Vittoriosa chose him as their prior, but he resigned shortly afterwards in order to pursue his lectures to the Dominican students.
An observant friar, admired for his intellect and studies, as well as for his apostleship, Portelli was assigned to the priory of Our Lady of Porto Salvo of Valletta in 1893, where he served as chaplain between 1896 and 1902. A keen orator, Friar Angelo preached sermons, conferences, spiritual exercises and recited panegyrics across the islands of Malta and Gozo, and also in Italy, mainly in Rome, Turin and Vercelli.
He also held various other offices, including those of examiner and prosynodal judge, philosophy examiner at the Bishop's Seminary, ordinands examiner and member of the Diocesan Commission against Modernism. In 1910, he was appointed apostolic visitor to all female religious congregations in Malta and Gozo, a task which he managed to conclude by the end of that same year.
At 58 years of age, Portelli was appointed Auxiliary for Msgr. Pietro Pace for the See of Malta by Pope Pius X, receiving his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Selinonte on May 14, 1911. Assisting Monsignor Pace, who at the time was ailing in health due to his advanced age, following his demise in 1914, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until Dom Mauro Caruana OSB., was named as successor on January 22, 1915.
That same year, Monsignor Caruana named Bishop Portelli as Vicar General of the Diocese. He was so close to all classes of people that he remains to be called to this day as "the Bishop who was loved by all".
Bishop Angelo Portelli passed away after a short illness on June 19, 1927, aged 75, inside his residence, near the Dominican Priory of Valletta. The following day, he was laid out in state at the Doctrine Oratory. Funeral Mass was celebrated in the morning of June 21, at the Porto Salvo Parish church. According to his wishes, Msgr. Portelli was buried, clad in his Dominican habit, at the Our Lady of the Grotto church at Rabat, next to his brethren in the crypt beneath the main altar. However, a year later, his remains were transferred to a specially constructed vault inside the same church.
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