9 May Optional Memorial (Mandatory Memorial in the province of Malta)
He was born in Valletta, Malta, on February 12, 1880. As a child, according to the custom of the time, he was incorporated into the Carmelite Family by the imposition of the Scapular. While still young he felt the vocation for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest on 22 Di-December 1906. In the early months of 1907, young Fr. George began his mission by gathering around him and forming a small group of young men in their twenties, inculcating in their hearts moral principles, the fear of God and an awareness of the Lord's infinite love for humanity. They formed the first offshoot of the Society of Christian Doctrine, commonly called MUSEUM, initial letters of Magister, Utinam Sequatur Evange-lium Universus Mundus. Fr. George's work was and is the religious education of children, boys, girls and young people by trained lay people. Central thought of his spirituality and theology was the Incarnation "Verbum Dei caro factum est." He took these words as the motto and distinctive emblem of the Society.
A Carmelite tertiary, he enrolled at Santa Venera on July 21, 1918, and professed on Sept. 26 of the following year. At his profession he chose the name "Franco," after the Blessed Carmelite Franco of Siena. In 1952, in recognition of his tireless spreading of devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. George was affiliated with the Carmelite Order by Prior General Kilian Lynch.
He lived the last years of his life in Santa Venera, in the parish of the Carmelites. He died at the age of 82 on July 26, 1962, and was beatified by John Paul II on May 9, 2000. On June 3, 2007, Benedict XVI canonized him.