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The Diocese of Gozo recently experienced a deeply enriching spiritual gathering, as the Seminarians, in collaboration with the KDŻG, organized a special activity for the Diocese’s adolescents. This event took place on the momentous occasion of the visit of the miraculous cross, ‘Il-Kurċifiss ta’ Ġieżu’, a significant part of the Jubilee Year celebrations in the Diocese. The visit of the cross drew people from various communities, offering a profound opportunity to reflect on faith and hope.

The activity was thoughtfully structured into two key moments, ensuring that each participant had an opportunity to engage with the cross and deepen their spiritual understanding. The first moment was dedicated to catechesis on the cross, featuring a brief historical note on the miraculous cross and a reflection on the presence of miracles in everyday life and how the cross serves as a beacon of hope, even in the darkest of times. The Seminarians encouraged the adolescents to see the cross as a source of strength and reassurance, guiding them through moments of difficulty and uncertainty.

The second moment was a more intimate and prayerful experience. Adolescents were given the sacred space and time to present their personal prayers before the miraculous cross and the Blessed Sacrament. This silent and reflective moment allowed them to pour their hearts out, seek divine guidance, and embrace the serenity that comes with prayer. The participants were divided into two groups, alternating between the catechetical session and the prayerful moment to ensure that each young individual could fully engage with both aspects of the activity.

Throughout the weekend, the cross remained exposed for veneration at the Church of St. Anthony of Padova in Għajnsielem. This provided the faithful with ample opportunities to visit, pray, and reflect on the miraculous presence of the cross. The culmination of the visit was marked by a deeply moving Diocesan pilgrimage, where the faithful processed with the cross from the Church of St. Anthony of Padova to the Għajnsielem parish church. The sight of the community walking in unison, led by faith and devotion, was a powerful testament to the spiritual significance of the event.

As the Jubilee Year celebrations continue, the visit of ‘Il-Kurċifiss ta’ Ġieżu’ will remain a cherished moment in the hearts of the faithful, reminding them of the ever-present love and mercy of God, especially in the trials of life.

On Sunday, January 26, the Church in Gozo marked the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God with a significant milestone for two seminarians. Anthony Joe Borg and Fabio Cini, both in their sixth year of formation, were instituted as lectors by H.L. Mgr. Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo.

The two seminarians hail from different parishes – Anthony Joe Borg from the Parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Xagħra and Fabio Cini from the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Żebbuġ. The institution ceremony took place during a solemn Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Church of Żebbuġ.

During the liturgy, Bishop Teuma prayed over the candidates and formally presented them with the Sacred Scriptures, symbolising their new role in the service of the Word of God. Several priests, including seminary formators, concelebrated the Mass, which was attended by the families and friends of the newly instituted lectors, as well as members of the Żebbuġ parish community.

As lectors, the seminarians have been entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God in the liturgical assembly. Their ministry also involves instructing both children and adults in the faith and preparing them to receive the sacraments worthily. Additionally, they are called to share the message of salvation with those who have not yet encountered it, guiding people towards a deeper knowledge of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The institution of lectors is a crucial step in the seminarians’ journey toward priesthood, reinforcing their commitment to serving the Church and its faithful through the Word of God.

The month of December is filled with the joy of the celebrations commemorating the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem. During the time of Advent and Christmas the Church not only reflects on the coming of our Lord in the event of the incarnation, but also on his glorious coming at the end of time. This season in the Church’s year is also a special time for the Seminary where our premises reflect the joy in our hearts by the various Christmas decorations. The community’s daily program is slightly altered. During Advent, the seminarians and their formators meet in the Chapel earlier in the mornings, at 6.10am, to pray together the Office of Readings. From 15 December onwards, the community celebrated the Novena in preparation for Christmas. Each day during mass, one of the seminarians shared a reflection about the profound relation between the crib of Bethlehem with its various elements and the mystery of the Eucharist. This theme was chosen by our community in the light of this pastoral year’s motto “So he went in to stay with them.” (Lk 24:29) During advent the Seminary community also organised a vocational meeting for both the vocational groups and the altar servers above age 13. This moment of prayer and adoration took place on Thursday 12 December. Those who attended were then invited to dinner at the Seminary. The community shared their festive joy on Thursday 19 December, where they had the opportunity to exchange greetings and gifts. The first term at the Seminary came to closure on the 20 December. In the evening, at 6.00p.m., the Rector Fr. Joseph Bajada celebrated mass at the Seminary chapel, together with the formators, the seminarians and their families, the Franciscan sisters, and the members of the association ‘Aħwa-Ħbieb tas-Seminarju’. After mass, all present gathered for a reception in the refectory to exchange their wishes for this festive season. Later in the evening, the seminarians went home with their families for two weeks of Christmas holidays. They will return back to the Seminary on Monday, 6 January 2024, to commence the second term.

Last Thursday, 12December, the seminarians’ vocational group organised an activity at the Seminary for all altar servers and members of vocational groups in Gozo, of age 13 or older. The meeting started at 7.00pm in one of the Major Seminary classrooms and was attended by around 30 adolescents.

The theme for this meeting was ‘Ankrati’ or ‘Anchored’. The message delivered was based on the metaphor of the anchor. The anchor is used to keep a ship in its place. Keeping things static is not always beneficial; one may remain anchored in vices or problematic situations without ever dealing with them. However, on a completely different and more positive side, being anchored also means that one prevails in time of trail, just as a ship is not taken astray by water currents. The true anchor which does not lead to stagnation but to true happiness in face of difficulties is Jesus Christ

The meeting was concluded in the chapel where the altar servers had a half an hour of adoration with the seminarians, during which they prayed the Vespers together. After the prayers were concluded with the Eucharistic Benediction, all proceeded to the refectory to eat together and for a moment of fraternity. The altar servers also had the opportunity to visit the seminarians’ living quarters.

On Sunday 1 December, the First Sunday of Advent, the seventh-year seminarians Samuel Aquilina and Marlon Victor Bajada, were conferred the Ministry of Acolytes by the diocesan bishop H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma.

The mass with the rite of institution took place at 10.00am at St George’s Basilica in Victoria. Seminarian Samuel hails from the said parish, that of St George in Victoria, while seminarian Marlon is from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St Gregory the Great in Ta’ Kerċem. Following the proclamation of the Gospel, the candidates were presented to the Bishop by the Rector Fr Joseph Bajada. After the homily, H.E. Mons. Teuma prayed upon the candidates and presented them the chalice and paten, inviting them to live their life in a closer relationship to God.

Several priests, including the Seminary formators and priests from Samuel’s and Marlon’s parishes, concelebrated with the Bishop. The celebration was also attended by the Franciscan Sisters of the Seminary, the relatives of the seminarians and other friends and acquaintances.

Through the ministry of Acolyte, the seminarian lives a more profound discipleship of love to the Lord and service to the others. Apart from this the seminarian is able to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebration, distribute the Holy Eucharist to the faithful in church and to the sick at their homes, and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.

Last Saturday at noon, the Church marked the beginning of a new liturgical year with the start of Advent. The Seminary community celebrated this occasion with the Proclamation of Advent, held at the Seminary Chapel.

The celebration, which began at 11:00 a.m., was divided into two parts. The first part focused on the enthronement of the Word of God on the altar. Following an opening greeting by the celebrant, Vice-Rector Fr. Gabriel Gauci, the passage from Luke 4:16-19 was proclaimed. Fr. Gabriel then delivered a reflection on the significance of the celebration of the Jubilee, in anticipation of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope in 2025.

The second part featured the enthronement of a new painting inspired by this year’s theme, drawn from Mark 3:14. This painting, created by artist Paul Falzon, was officially unveiled and blessed during the ceremony. The celebration concluded shortly after noon with the celebrant’s blessing upon the community.

Throughout Advent, the Seminary community will follow a modified schedule. Each morning before Mass, at 6:10 a.m., the community will gather in the chapel to pray the Office of Readings. During Mass, the celebrant will also offer a brief reflection following the Gospel reading.

During this week, the Seminary community made two vocational initiatives.

The first was a vocational experience for students frequenting the 16+ Diocesan Vocational Group, were invited to stay for some days at the Seminary. The live-in started on Wednesday 27 November evening, till Saturday 30 November morning. During these days, the seven students had the opportunity to experience the daily life at the Seminary, and together with the seminarians they had moments of prayer, reflection, pastoral activity, as well as recreation.

On Friday 29 of November another experience was done in Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth Form in Victoria. The seminarians were accompanied by three students of the Order of the Friars Minor, two Dominican Sisters of the Order of Saint Catherine of Siena, a nun of the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart, another from the Carmelite Missionaries of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, and another nun from the Ursolines of Saint Angela Merici. During the third lesson, the seminarians and consecrated people, divided in various groups, had the opportunity to visit every class in the school and deliver a short vocational message to the students. Throughout the remainder of the morning, altogether they stayed near the school entrance and canteen to be able to encounter students and talk to them, whilst offering them hot chocolate and biscuits.

This week, on Wednesday 27 November at 4.00pm, a moral case study regarding the using of IVF methods, was held at the Seminary Conference Room. The case was presented by the seventh-year seminarian Samuel Aquilina, as a part of the course ‘The inviolability of human life’ taught at the Seminary’s theological institute by Can George Frendo. The case study was attended by the seminarians, several of the formators, lecturers and other members of the Gozitan clergy.

The case was about a couple who after six years of marriage was unable to conceive children. The couple were presented with IVF as a possible solution for their difficulty, by the medical team at the hospital. In front of this proposal, the couple consulted a priest to get to understand better the Church’s teaching with regards to IVF before making their decision.

After the case was outlined, Aquilina presented his research as a response, in three parts. In the first part he highlighted some important definitions and explained the basic process involved in IVF procedures. He proceeded by demonstrating the Church’s teaching about procreation, making reference to three magisterial documents: Humanae vitae (1968), Donum vitae (1987) and Dignitatis personae (2008). In the final part of the work, in light of the Magisterium’s teaching, Aquilina showed which aspects of IVF are problematic.

The two main values around which the presentation revolved were: (1) the unconditional respect to every human being from the beginning of his existence, and (2) the specifically human character of the personal act which transmits life. These two fundamental principles are outlined in both of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith’s instructions: Donum vitae and Dignitatis personae.

Following the presentation there was a brief discussion moderated by Canon Frendo.

On Saturday, November 9th, the Seminary hosted its traditional fundraising dinner to honour Saint Martin, the bishop of Tours. The event, which began at 7:00 pm, welcomed around 170 guests along with numerous volunteers who helped with preparations. The menu featured a five-course meal, including Gozitan cheeslets with honey and figs, minestra, għaġin il-forn, pork loin with roasted vegetables, and the customary St. Martin’s cake. Guests were also offered coffee and limoncello.

During the dinner, members of the association “Aħwa-ħbieb tas-Seminarju” held a raffle with various prizes, such as vouchers and items donated by generous supporters. After the meal, Rector Fr. Joseph Bajada invited attendees to explore the Seminary and visit the seminarians’ quarters.

The Seminary extends its gratitude to all the guests for their attendance and the many volunteers organising the event. Special appreciation goes to the Franciscan Sisters at the Seminary for their dedicated hours preparing for the evening.

Today, Thursday 24 October 2024, marks an important anniversary in the history of our Seminary. The Seminary community is celebrating hundred years of the presence of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Seminary.

The anniversary was celebrated with a mass presided by H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, at 11.00am at the Seminary Chapel. Numerous priests previously involved in the Seminary formation concelebrated. Present also were the Mother Provincial of the congregation Sr Claudia Zammit, and many sisters from the several convents of the congregation in Gozo. Afterwards a reception for those present was held at the Seminary courtyard.

The Franciscan Sisters first came to the Seminary on the 24 October 1924 on the wish of their founder the Venerable Madre Margherita Debrincat. They were entrusted the mission of taking care of the kitchen and of bringing a motherly touch to the institution. They dedicated their tiny chapel and convent to Saint Michael Archangel. The sisters came after the departure of the Jesuit fathers during whose administration the kitchen was run by a local cook and assistant.

The Seminary convent today houses three Franciscan sisters: Mother superior Sr Giuseppina Farrugia, Sr Clementia Borg and Sr Shanti Perbo. While wholeheartedly congratulating the sisters on this anniversary, we thank them for their service and promise them our prayers and prayers for more vocations in their congregation.

Last week, the Liturgical and Missionary Group organised various activities in view of the World Mission Day, celebrated on Sunday, 20th October 2024. This week’s theme was inspired by the parable of the wedding banquet (cf. Mt 22:1-14), as commented by Pope Francis in this year’s World Mission Day message.

This Mission Week started on Monday, October 14th. On this day, the community prayed for Bishop Giovanni Cefai MSSP and Fr Raymond Portelli, who are both Gozitan missionaries in Peru. After dinner, the seminarians watched “Cabrini,” a film that depicts the life of Catholic missionary Francesca Cabrini.

On Tuesday, the Seminary community prayed for Bishops Joe Bonello OFM and George Bugeja, who are both Gozitan missionaries in Honduras and Libya, respectively. In the evening, the seminarians organised a Eucharistic adoration that included special prayers related to Mission Day and a reflection on the parable of the wedding banquet.

On Wednesday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Anton Grech and Mgr Joseph Camilleri, both Gozitan missionaries, this time in Guatemala. On Thursday, the seminary community welcomed Mgr Jimmy Xerri, currently serving as the diocese’s delegate for Caritas and previously serving as a missionary in Brazil. Mgr Xerri celebrated mass and shared a reflection on his previous work in Brazil. On that day, the community prayed for Sr. Martha Joy and Sr. Lux Marie, two Gozitan nuns with the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity. In the evening, a videocall with Br Carmel Duca MC was organised. Br Carmel is a Maltese consegrated layperson forming part of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity Brothers and is currently serving his mission in Los Angles. During the videocall, Br Carmel shared his experience with Missionaries of Charity Brothers and also answered several questions made by the seminarians.

On Friday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Adeodato Schembri and his mission in Brazil. In the afternoon, the Seminarians visited the form 5 students of the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary. They shared with them a missionary-themed message, which included the sharing of missionary experiences in Guatemala, India and the Philippines done by some of the Seminarians in the past months.

In addition to the above-mentioned activities, the Liturgical and Missionary group prepared some missionary symbols, which were placed in the chapel.

Yesterday, Friday 11 October 2024, the two sixth year seminarians Anthony Joe Borg and Fabio Cini were admitted as candidates for the Sacred Orders.

The rite of admission took place during a solemn high mass celebrated by H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Victoria. This day also happened to be the 308 anniversary from the Dedication of the Cathedral. By this rite, the Bishop formally accepted the seminarians Anthony Joe and Fabio as candidates for the Sacred Orders. He prayed God to bestow upon them His blessing, aid them so that they may give themselves to His holy service and that of His Church, and to remain faithful to God’s calling so that that can be unified through love, to the heart of Christ the High Priest.

Let us accompany Anthony Joe and Fabio with our prayers as they get closer to their ordination as presbyters. At the same time we continue to pray for more vocations so that God blesses our Diocese with more works in his holy field.