Rebel With A Cause: The Story Of Malta’s Very Own Patriotic Priest

Malta, a colourful country populated by colourful people. We’ve been exploring Maltese historical personalities as of late, such as the local sexy spy, the Maltese terminator and our OG Architect. Today we will get to know Dun Mikiel Xerri — Malta’s very own rebel with a cause. 

This brave Żebbuġi was born in 1737, and studied in different Universities around Europe. He was however unlucky enough to live through the downfall of the Knights of St. John and the coming of the French. 

When the French landed here in 1798 they were being overall dicks to the Maltese in general. As we’ve already seen, the Maltese people were a bit pissed off at the French for looting churches, so in 1798 they collectively flipped shit. 

Both Malta and Gozo were in a state of batshit insane rebellion, throwing people out of balconies et al. In comes Dun Mikiel Xerri. 

Together with the Maltese people, he planned an attack on the French in Valletta and Cottonera, but sadly they were discovered and ambushed.

Around 49 people were caught along with the Dun himself. They were all taken to the Palace Square in Valletta were the French were waiting with their fancy weapons to carry out a bloody execution. The Dun gave his pocket watch to one of the French officials and asked to be shot directly in the heart.

He sowly turned towards the Maltese crowd and shouted at the top of his lungs “Evviva Malta! Alla magħna! Għamlu n-nar!”

They were shot in the square, dragged to the St. Rocco chapel, and shot again. This day is forever known as the unofficial origin of the term “overkill”.

To this day, Dun Mikiel Xerri is (very justly so) considered one of the island’s biggest patriots, having literally laid his life down for the possibility of a freer Malta. 

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