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Last week, the Liturgical and Missionary Group organised various activities in view of the World Mission Day, celebrated on Sunday, 23rd October 2020. The theme of this week was inspired by the phrase “Hearts on fire, feet on the move” based on the story of the disciples who encounter Jesus on their way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35), as commented by Pope Francis in this year’s World Mission Day message.

This Mission Week started on Monday, 16th October. On this day, the community prayed for Bishop Giovanni Cefai MSSP, who is a Gozitan missionary in Peru. After dinner, the seminarians watched “The Pope: Answers”, a face-to-face conversation between Pope Francis and ten young people from all over the world. The conversation was guided by the young people’s questions, conveying to the Pope the main concerns of their generation.

On Tuesday, the Seminary community prayed for bishop Joe Bonello OFM, who is a Gozitan missionary in Honduras. 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 and Albania done by some of the Seminarians in the past months.

On Wednesday, the prayers were dedicated to Bishop George Bugeja OFM, another Gozitan missionary, and his mission in Libya. Later that day, a video call with Bishop George. During this video call, Bishop George shared his missionary experience in Tripoli, where he emphasized the obsessive reality Christians face in such a fundamentalist and insecure country.

On Thursday, the Seminary community welcomed Fr Joseph Camilleri, a Gozitan missionary in Guatemala. Fr Joseph celebrated mass in the Spanish language, sharing his missionary experience. The community also made a prayer for his mission.

On Friday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Raymond Portelli and his mission in Peru, while on Saturday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Anton Grech and his mission in Guatemala.

Apart from the above mentioned activities, the Liturgical and Missionary group prepared some missionary symbols that were placed in the chapel. Also, a social media publication about the World Mission Day was published during this week. 

On Monday 9th of October, two propaedeutic students were welcomed in the Seminary. The students are: Mark Attard from the Parish of St John the Baptist in Xewkija, and Simon Zammit from the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xagħra. As a part of their formation, the propaedeutic students do a part-time job in the morning, and receive the rest of their formation in the Seminary, in the evening. They also do pastoral work during the weekends. Mark has been assigned to the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Żebbuġ, while Simon has been assigned to the Parish of St George Martyr in Victoria. The two propaedeutic students are being accompanied by Can Anthony Bajada, the parish priest of the Parish of St Lawrence, who is also the incumbent director of the propaedeutic year.

The Seminary community welcomes with joy at the Seminary these two students and prays for them in the beginning of their journey of formation to discern their vocation.

On Friday 6th October, a new year of formation was officially started at the Seminary. At 6.00pm, H.L. Mgr Anton Teuma led a meeting for the academic staff of the Seminary. Afterwards, at 7.00pm, the Bishop presided the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, with special prayers to the Holy Spirit to enlighten the minds of all those involved in the formation given at the Seminary. The members of the Seminary formation team, as well as several lecturers who are priests, concelebrated with the Bishop. Also present were the seminarians, the students of the Franciscans Minor receiving the academic formation in the Seminary, some of the seminarians’ relatives, the Seminary’s community of Franciscan Sisters, and the employees and volunteers of the Seminary.

At the end of the Mass, Mons. Teuma, delivered his thanks to three lecturers who will be finishing their work in the Seminary: Mgr George Borg who taught Psychology for the past 46 years, Mgr Saviour Grima who taught Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology for the past 47 years, and Mgr Lawrence Sciberras who taught Holy Scripture for the past 45 years. On behalf of the Seminary community, the Bishop presented to each of these three priests a commemorative plaque and also an icon of Our Lady. At the end of the celebration, the three ex-lecturers also delivered their message.

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Between Monday, the 18th and Saturday, the 23rd of September, the community of the Gozitan Seminarians attended a spiritual silent retreat to mark the beginning of another formational year. The Capuchins’ Provincial br Ivan Scicluna O.F.M. Cap. directed the retreat at the Archbishop’s Major Seminary in ‘tal-Virtut’, Rabat.

The community of the Maltese Seminarians joined the Gozitan Seminarians. This was the third time the Maltese and Gozitan communities were making a retreat together.

Br Ivan directed his daily meditations inspired by the Biblical text of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. He proposed to the Seminarians a process of spiritual and human integration.  

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to the newly appointed rector, Reverend Joseph Bajada, and the vice rector, Reverend Gabriel Gauci. Concurrently, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Canon Richard N. Farrugia, who faithfully served as the rector of our Seminary for the past seven years. We offer our prayers and support as he embarks on his new mission as the spiritual pastor of the Parish of Xaghra.

Additionally, we extend our sincere appreciation to Reverend Samuel Grech, who dedicated the past three years as vice rector of the Seminary.

On Friday 23th June 2023, on the eve of the feast of St John the Baptist, Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, administered the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the grade of Deacons at the Gozo Cathedral.  The two new Deacons are Matthew Borg from the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady, Xagħra, and Franklin Micallef from the Parish of Our Lady of the Perpetual Help and St Gregory the Great, Kerċem. The ordination was well attended by several priests, members of the Seminary community, members of the Xagħra and ta’ Kerċem parochial communities, Relatives, friends, and other laypeople. The Ordination Mass was animated by the Youth Choir of the Diocese.

On the day before, Thursday 22th June feast of the calling of Our Lady of ta’ Pinu, a prayer vigil was organised by the Seminary community at the Xagħra parish church as a spiritual preparation. The meditations during the vigil were made by the Rector Can. Richard Farrugia and were taken from the Biblical passage of 1 Peter 2:21. During the last part of the vigil, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, and the ordinands Matthew and Franklin made a public prayer in front of our Lord. This was followed by the Eucharistic Benediction. For this vigil attended the parish communities of Xagħra and ta’ Kerċem.

On Saturday, May 27 our community went to Malta. Our day began with a visit to the convent of the Franciscan Sisters in Mġarr, where we had the pleasure of reconnecting with Sr. Mary Borg FCJ. Sr. Mary formed part of the sister’s community from 2019 to 2021. It was a heartwarming reunion filled with cherished memories.

Following our visit to the convent, we headed to Valletta where we had a meeting with Papas Martin Zammit, who lead the Greek Catholic community in Malta. He graciously shared with us the rich history of their presence on the island and the important pastoral work they are engaged in. It was an enlightening and inspiring conversation that deepened our understanding of the diverse religious landscape in Malta.

Our journey continued as we explored the awe-inspiring exhibition of Tapestries at the Co-Cathedral of St. John. The intricate craftsmanship and breathtaking artistry on display left us in awe, a true testament to the cultural heritage of Malta.

To conclude this day, we were joined by the Malta Seminary community to share a delicious meal. This joyful gathering allowed us to strengthen our bonds, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity among us.

On Friday, 13th May, Deacon Matthew Bajada, who hails from the parish of Għarb, was ordained priest by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr. Bishop Anton Teuma, at the Gozo Cathedral. The ordination was well attended by several priests, members of the Seminary community, members of Għarb Parish, Matthew’s family and friends, and other laypeople.

The day before, Thursday 12th May, a prayer vigil was organized at the Seminary as a spiritual preparation. The meditations during the vigil were made by the Rector Can. Richard Farrugia and were taken from the Gospel of Luke 1:39-56. During the last part of the vigil, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, and the ordinand Matthew made a public prayer in front of our Lord. This was followed by the Eucharistic Benediction. Finally, the vigil was concluded with a short message from Mgr Anton Teuma. Afterwards, the Eucharistic adoration continued during the night at the Seminary Chapel.

On Saturday, the 6th  of May, the Seminary community started the day with a pilgrimage to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.  On the way, the community recited the Rosary which is a prayer advocated by the Virgin Mother. Then rector Can. Richard Farrugia, together with the Vice-Rector Fr Samuel Grech, and the Spiritual Director Fr Tony Calleja, together with Fr Roberto Gauci who serves at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, celebrated Mass in the chapel of the sanctuary.  After the reading of the Gospel, and the homily, seminarians Matthew Borg, who hails from the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady, Xagħra, and Franklin Micallef who hails from the Parish of Our Lady of the Perpetual Help and St Gregory the Great, Kerċem, made the vows of celibacy and faithfulness and the profession of faith prior to their ordination as deacons. In the same celebration Deacon Matthew Bajada renewed the vows he took a year before when he was about to be ordained Deacon.

The Priestly Ordination of Deacon Matthew is to be celebrated in the Gozo Cathedral on Friday 12th of May. While Seminarians Matthew and Franklin are to be ordained deacons on Friday 23th June at the same cathedral.

On Sunday 30th April, the fourth Easter Sunday, which also happened to be the day dedicated to vocations, in the parish church of Our Lady of Loretu in Għajnsielem, seminarians Matthew Borg and Franklin Micallef were admitted to holy orders. The celebration was led by Bishop of Gozo Mgr. Anton Teuma. Before Mgr. Teuma admitted them, they shared their vocational experience with all those present. 

We pray for them, for their fellow seminarians, and for more vocations.

Last Sunday, April 23rd, the Sacred Heart Seminary organized the fourth edition of Festa Abbatini at the parvis of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pinu. The event was attended by a large number of altar boys from Gozitan parishes and communities, along with their families.

The event began with a meeting for the altar boys where they were given a message about Samuel’s call at the temple. The meeting started with the verse “Speak, because your servant is listening,” and the altar boys put this phrase together. The meeting continued with an explanation of this passage, inviting the altar boys to enter the story as those who serve the altar. This emphasized the importance of their role and how they can get closer to God.

In the meantime, Fr Krystof Buttigieg held a meeting for the parents in the Hall of the Sanctuary, where he discussed the role of parents in supporting their children’s service on the altar and their involvement in the Church as Christians.

After the meetings, the altar boys enjoyed games and food stands on the Church parvis. Some members of the Diocesan Family Commission were also present at the event.

Festa Abbatini provided a meaningful opportunity for altar boys, their families, and members of the Church to reflect, grow, and enjoy themselves. It emphasized the importance of their role as altar boys and their relationship with God.

The Church regards Lent as a highly significant period for preparing oneself for the Pascal mystery. Christians are encouraged to observe sacrifice and fasting during this time. The Seminary Community undertook various initiatives to derive spiritual benefits from Lent.

The Seminary’s daily program was dedicated to prayer, with special attention given to Mid Day prayer, the Via Crucis, and the Via Matris. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the community skipped lunch to exercise fasting. On Fridays, a lengthy adoration took place after dinner, which included a reflection by the rector and the adoration of the Cross. During daily mass, Seminary formators shared a reflection on the day’s Liturgy of the Word.

On Thursday 30th March, the community prayed the Via Crucis and celebrated mass on the iconic Ta’ Għammar hill. The Liturgical and Missionary Group organized a charity collection for Gozo’s secondary schools and the community itself to help the Missionary Fr Mario Curmi in Guatemala build a football ground for the children of his parish. This was done in collaboration with Encounter Guatemala, who will visit Fr Mario this Summer. A penitential celebration was held on Monday 27th March, and a fraternal correction was held at the Manresa Retreat House on Wednesday 29th March.

On Sunday 2nd April, the Community began its yearly spiritual retreat during the first days of Holy Week, led by Fr Kevin Schembri. In the meantime, seminarians Matthew Borg and Franklin Micallef had their ordination retreat led by Fr Christopher Caruana O.P. at the Fransiskan Community in Rabat, Malta. The Community will return to the Seminary on Monday 17th April, after having a week of holidays.