'Oldest nun' passes away at 105

Sr Carmela was hugely admired for her singing voice, especially as she was the one who initiated the tradition of singing the Magnificat on someone’s birthday.

Sr Carmela had been a resident at the Convent of the Sacred Heart’s Tal-Virtù for 17 years and was believed to be the oldest living person in Malta.

She was born on December 9, 1905 in Birkirkara and was the youngest of nine brothers and sisters. At the age of 20, Sr Carmela took her vows and joined the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Six months later, Sr Carmela moved to England. Later, in 1937, she transferred to America where she spent 42 years. In 1979 she returned to Malta where she served both at the Zejtun and Fgura community.

Sr Carmela joined the community at Tal-Virtù in 1993, at the age of 84.