Qrendi Scouts bid their Last farewell to their chaplain - Dun Raymond Ellul

The early light of Saturday 9h November 97 broke the sad news that Dun Raymond Ellul was dead. Dun Raymond was a colorful character within the Qrendi Community and drew the admiration of the many he met wherever he went. It was this pastor’s dream to follow in the footsteps of Saint John Bosco and to work with the young boys of his village in their character formation. Dun Raymond was one of the first Priests in Malta to cater for both the spiritual and physical needs of youths. In doing so, he donated part of his personal property for the building at Qrendi, the Christian Doctrine’s Museum, a football pitch and an adjourning youth center, formerly serving as the headquarters of the Young Christian Workers and recently the Headquarters of the Qrendi Scout Group. Without this valuable asset the group’s formation would have been impossible.

Despite his ailing health Dun Raymond would visit the Qrendi Scout HQ on a regular basis and would not let the opportunity of a “Free Meal” go by, during the Groups’ Social Functions. He felt proud to learn that “His Football Pitch” being utilized by the Scout Association to run their Summer Football Tournament and took interest in whatever was achieved by the young lads and the people of Qrendi.

The Qrendi Group was humored when asked by the Village Parish Priest Father Ray Toledo to assist in the overall organization of the Dun Raymond’s funeral. Following Holy Mass, the Group leaders and Senior Scouts carried Father Raymond’s coffin shoulder high out of the Parish Church. The Group then led the Funeral Defile to the local cemetery where Dun Raymond was finally laid to rest.

Dun Raymond may have left this world, but his memory will live on and on. What this pastor has done in his lifetime is a fitting memorial to a priest who like Lord Baden Powell placed his trust in today’s youths that the world tomorrow might be a better place than they left it today.

“Dun Raymond watch over us as you did in this world”