 Shortly before his ordination, Preca was diagnosed with acute pulmonary tuberculosis and given a poor prognosis.He attributed his recovery to the intercession of Saint Joseph, patron of the dying, however the illness left him with a damaged left lung.On 8 April 1905 his confessor Aloysius Galea died and Preca would often recount that not long after Galea seemingly appeared to him and encouraged his call to the priesthood.