News

The Community of the Seminary started another year of formation on Monday, 21st September. During the summer holidays, there were occasions when the members of the community met and shared moments of prayer. One such occasion was a half-day retreat, led by Fr Martin Cilia MSSP, at Manresa House on 11th August.

On Monday, 21st September, the seminarians gave a helping hand in the clean-up and preparation of the premises for the coming year of formation. The following morning, Tuesday 22nd September, we joined in the celebration of Mass and then shared our summer experiences of voluntary service in the community. We had our first meeting with Fr Giovanni Curmi, our pastoral mentor, who, during the year, is going to accompany us in our pastoral experiences in the parishes. That same afternoon, the community started its annual retreat at St Joseph Nuns’ Covent at Rabat, Malta. Mgr Anton Gouder led the retreat which ended on Saturday, 26th September.

On Wednesday, 30th September, Mgr Bishop Mario Grech celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which marked the beginning of the academic year. That day happened to be the feast day of St Jerome, and during his homily the Bishop shared with us some of St Jerome’s reflections. The saint describes the member of the clergy, the consecrated member, as a person who has to focus his life on God. The same saint, who translated the Sacred Scriptures from Greek to Latin, teaches us that “he who does not know the Scripures does not know Christ”. The Bishop encouraged the priests to embrace the Scriptures and to apply their teachings to modern times. Professors, relatives of seminarians and the members of Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju participated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They were later invited for refreshments.

Bishop’s Grech Homily

Nhar is-Sibt, 20 ta’ Ġunju 2015, fil-Knisja Katidrali, Mons. Mario Grech, Isqof ta’ Għawdex amministra s-Sagrament tal-Ordni Sagri fil-grad tad-Djakonat lil Joseph Attard mill-Parroċċa taż-Żebbuġ, Massimo Buttigieg mill-Parroċċa tal-Katidral, u Mario Curmi mill-Parroċċa tax-Xagħra, fil-preżenza tal-familjari u l-ħbieb flimkien ma’ numru sabiħ ta’ saċerdoti. Il-Quddiesa tal-Ordinazzjoni ġiet animata mill-Kor Djoċesan taż-Żgħażagħ.

Fl-omelija tiegħu, Mons. Isqof qasam mat-tliet seminaristi li ġew ordnati djakni x-xewqa tiegħu li ma jitwieldux djakni għajjenin.

L-Isqof Grech silet il-ħsieb tiegħu mill-Vanġelu tal-Liturġija tal-ġurnata, li jirrakkonta dwar kif Kristu sikket it-tempesta fuq il-Baħar tal-Galilija.  Ġesù, qal l-Isqof, kien mimli ħeġġa biex jaqsam lejn in-naħa l-oħra tal-għadira, lejn Ġerasa, il-post li jirrappreżenta l-komunità pagana, għax lilhom ried iwassal il-Kelma.  Eku ta’ dan hi s-sejħa tal-Papa Franġisku biex inkunu Knisja li toħroġ, taqdef ’il barra biex tevanġelizza fil-periferiji tas-soċjetà.  Hemm bżonn li anki aħna “naqsmu għal Ġerasa”, qal l-Isqof Grech, u ma nsofrux mill-“kumpless ta’ Ġona” li ttenta jaħrab mir-rieda ta’ Alla li jħabbar l-indiema lill-pagani midinba.

L-Isqof interpreta l-biża’ tad-dixxipli bħala l-biża’ tagħna wkoll li nidħlu għal din l-avventura evanġelika, għax jogħġbuna iżjed l-ambjenti komdi li drajna fihom u nibżgħu minn xi tempesta!  “Tfittxux imwejjed mifruxin”, wissa lid-djakni, hu u jfakkarhom fil-missjoni tagħhom li jkunu qaddejja tal-komunità.  Ħeġġeġ ukoll biex ma naqilgħux tempesti għall-komunità, imma nħallu lil Ġesù jaħdem fina.

Bi tħejjija għal dawn il-mumenti qawwija l-Knisja ta’ Għawdex ġiet mistiedna biex il-Ġimgħa, 19 ta’ Ġunju, tinġabar fis-Seminarju biex tingħaqad mal-ordinandi u titlob flimkien magħhom. Din il-velja ta’ talb, li ġiet imxandra b’mod dirett fuq Radju Marija, kienet tikkonsisti f’żewġ mumenti partikulari.  Fl-ewwel mument ġiet iċċelebrata l-liturġija tal-Kelma, fejn wara l-qari ta’ siltiet mill-Iskrittura, r-Rettur tas-Seminarju spjegaha permezz tal-omelija.  Fi tmiem il-prietka ġie espost Ġesù Sagramentat għal ftit mumenti ta’ adorazzjoni.

Wara il-Barka Sagramentali, Ġesù Ewkaristija ġie meħud imbagħad fil-kappella u baqa’ espost il-lejl kollu sabiex il-fidili setgħu jinġabru għat-talb personali.  Mons. Isqof Mario Grech għalaq il-Velja billi wassal il-messaġġ tiegħu tal-okkażjoni.

Ritratti

On Saturday 20th June, 2015, Joseph Attard from Zebbug Parish, Massimo Buttigieg from The Cathedral Parish and Mario Curmi from Xaghra Parish were ordained deacons by Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo.  The Ordination Ceremony was held at the Gozo Cathedral.  Relatives, friends and a number of priests took part in the celebration.

In his homily, the Bishop shared with the three deacons his vision of a proactive diaconate.  The homily was based on the Gospel of the day that narrates the episode of Christ calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee.  The Bishop said that Christ was eager to cross over to the other bank towards Gerasa, the place that was associated with a pagan community.  It was to this pagan community that Christ wanted to preach.  Pope Francis’ call to us to be a Church that sails out of port to evangelize the suburbs of society is reminiscent of Christ’s eagerness to reach Gerasa.  We too need to cross over to Gerasa and to overcome the “complex of Jonah”, who tried to ignore God’s will to preach repentance to the pagan sinners.

Like the disciples, we too are afraid to embark on this evangelical adventure, since we are too taken in by modern commodities and are afraid of landing in a storm.  The Bishop urged the deacons not to “search for tables which are already laid” since the deacon’s mission is to serve the community.  He urged them also not to raise storms in the community and to let Christ work in them.

As preparation for the ordination, the Gozo diocese invited the community to join the ordinands for an evening of prayer at the Seminary on Friday, 19th June.  This evening of prayer, transmitted live on Radju Marija, included two particular moments.  The first was the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.  The Seminary Rector explained the readings in his homily.  The second was the exposition of the Holy Eucharist.  After the Sacramental Blessing, the Holy Host was taken to the chapel where it was exposed for the night.  The Bishop ended the evening with a messagg to the congregation.

Images

Il-Ħamis 11 ta’ Ġunju s-seminaristi temmew l-eżamijiet tagħhom.  Ta’ kull sena, dan il-mument jimmarka t-tmiem tas-sena ta’ formazzjoni.  Il-Ġimgħa 12 ta’ Ġunju s-seminaristi ngħaqdu mal-Knisja fiċ-ċelebrazzjoni tas-Solennità tal-Qalb Qaddisa ta’ Ġesù.  Is-Sibt u t-Tnejn huma kellhom xi laqgħat konklużivi.  F’dawn l-aħħar ġranet is-seminaristi raddew ħajr u awguraw lil Dun Michael Curmi fi tmiem is-servizz tiegħu bħala Viċi Rettur tas-Seminarju u fil-bidu tal-ministeru l-ġdid tiegħu bħala Arċipriet f’Ta’ Sannat.

It-Tnejn 15 ta’ Ġunju Mons. Isqof Mario Grech mexxa l-Quddiesa t’għeluq is-sena.  Ikkonċelebraw flimkien miegħu l-formators tas-Seminarju u Dun Joseph Curmi (ħu Dun Michael Curmi).  Għal din il-Quddiesa kienu mistiedna l-ġenituri u l-familjari tas-seminaristi, flimkien mal-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, il-ħaddiema u l-helpers tas-Seminarju.

F’din l-okkażjoni Mons. Isqof ibbaża l-ħsieb tiegħu fuq il-Vanġelu tal-ġurnata (Mt 5,38-42).  Dan il-Vanġelu jfakkarna kemm l-umanità tagħna hi tassew dgħajfa u għaldaqstant ifakkarna kemm hu meħtieġ li aħna naħdmu biex nikkoreġuha.  Jekk dan jgħodd għal kull Nisrani, jgħodd b’mod speċjali għall-ministri ta’ Alla.  L-umanità tagħhom hija kanal importanti biex il-grazzja u l-Bxara t-tajba jaslu għand il-bnedmin.  Hu għalhekk li fis-Seminarju tingħata ċerta importanza lid-dimensjoni umana tal-formazzjoni tas-seminaristi.  Saċerdot verament uman jista’ jagħmel possibbli li l-Knisja tkun tassew il-messaġġiera ta’ Ġesù Kristu “veru Alla u veru bniedem”.  Mons. Isqof temm ir-riflessjoni tiegħu billi radd ħajr lill-formators tas-Seminarju li jaħdmu kontinwament biex is-seminaristi jikbru tassew fl-uman tagħhom.  Hu radd ħajr fuq kollox lill-familjari tas-seminaristi.  Huma dawn li sa mill-bidu sawru l-personalità ta’ kull seminarist.

Fi tmiem il-Quddiesa r-Rettur, f’isem Mons. Isqof, il-formators, is-seminaristi, is-sorijiet, il-ħaddiema, il-helpers u l-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, ippreżenta rigal ta’ apprezzament lil Dun Michael Curmi.  Min-naħa tiegħu Dun Michael wera l-apprezzament tiegħu u wiegħed li se jżomm lis-Seminarju u lis-seminaristi f’talbu u f’qalbu.  Kollox ġie fi tmiemu permezz ta’ festin.

Ritratti

Thursday, 11th June, marked the end of examinations for the seminarians, thus marking also the end of another year of formation.  On Friday, 12th June, the seminarians joined the Church for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  On Saturday and on Monday they attended the final meetings of the year.  The seminarians thanked Fr Michael Curmi for his service as Vice Rector of the Seminary and wished him success in his new ministry as Archpriest of Sannat.

On Monday, 15th June, Bishop Mario Grech led the celebration of Mass to mark the end of the year of formation.  The Seminary formators and Fr Joseph Curmi, brother of Fr Michael Curmi, concelebrated.  Parents and relatives of the seminarians, the Ahwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju and helpers of the Seminarju were present for the occasion.

Bishop Mario Grech based his homily on the Gospel of the day (Mt 5, 38-42).  This reading brings to mind the fragility of human nature and the need to strive to make up for this fragility. This reading applies to all Christians, but especially to members of the clergy, who are a medium through which Grace and the Good News reach mankind.  It is for this reason that our Seminary emphasizes the humane dimension of the formation of seminarians.  A really humane priest may make it possible for the Church to be the messenger of Jesus Christ, “true God and true man”.  Bishop Grech thanked the formators of the Seminary who strive to strengthen the humane characteristic in each and every seminarian.  He thanked also the relatives of the seminarians. The Bishop said that the seminarians owe the formation of their personality to their relatives.

On behalf of Bishop Grech, formators, seminarians, nuns, workers, helpers and the Ahwa Ħbieb tas-Seminary, the Rector presented a gift to Fr Michael Curmi.  Fr Curmi thanked the community and promised to remember the Seminary and the seminarians in his prayers.  Refreshments were then served.

Images

Is-seminaristi Joseph Attard (Parroċċa Marija Assunta, iż-Żebbuġ), Massimo Buttigieg (Parroċċa Marija Assunta fil-Knisja Katidrali, Belt Victoria) u Mario Curmi (Parroċċa Natività ta’ Marija, ix-Xagħra) ġew aċċettati bħala kandidati għall-ordinazzjoni djakonali.  Mons. Isqof Mario Grech mexxa r-rit tal-ammissjoni li sar waqt il-Velja Djoċesana ta’ Għid il-Ħamsin, fil-knisja parrokkjali Ta’ Sannat, is-Sibt 23 ta’ Mejju 2015.  Ġimgħa wara, is-Sibt 30 ta’ Mejju, it-tliet kandidati għamlu l-wegħda taċ-ċelibat waqt Quddiesa fis-Santwarju Ta’ Pinu.

Mons. Isqof waqt l-omelija tal-Velja ta’ Pentekostè stieden lill-Knisja biex tkun miftuħa għat-tnebbih tal-Ispirtu s-Santu.  Hu għamel din l-istedina b’mod speċjali lis-saċerdoti u lil Joseph, Massimo u Mario.  Fi tmiem l-omelija r-Rettur, Dun Tony Sciberras mssp sejjaħ lill-kandidati b’isimhom u kull wieħed minnhom wieġeb: “Hawn jien”.  Mons. Isqof talab fuqhom filwaqt li ppreżentahom bħala kandidati uffiċċjali għall-Ordni Sagri.  Hu ħeġġeġ lill-Knisja sabiex titlob għalihom, b’mod  speċjali fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin, sal-ordinazzjoni tagħhom li se ssir nhar is-Sibt 20 ta’ Ġunju fil-Katidral tal-Assunta.

Is-Sibt 30 ta’ Mejju filgħodu, is-seminaristi flimkien mal-formators telqu f’pellegrinaġġ bil-mixi lejn is-Santwarju Ta’ Pinu.  Tul it-triq intalbet it-talba tar-Rużarju u mal-wasla f’Ta’ Pinu r-Rettur mexxa l-Ewkaristija.  Fi tmiem il-liturġija tal-Kelma t-tliet kandidati għamlu l-Istqarrija tal-Fidi u ffirmaw id-dokumenti marbuta mal-wegħda taċ-ċelibat.

Seminarians Joseph Attard (Parish of The Assumption, Zebbug), Massimo Buttigieg (Parish of The Assumption, The Cathedral, Victoria) and Mario Curmi (Parish of The Nativity of Our Lady, Xaghra) were accepted as candidates for ordination as deacons.  Bishop Mario Grech led the rite of admission during a diocesan evening of prayer on Pentecoste, held on Saturday 23rd May, at the parish church of Sannat.

In his homily, the Bishop invited the Church to be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  His words were addressed especially to the priests and to Joseph, Massimo and Mario.  After the homily, Rector Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP called the candidates by name and they answered with the words: “Here I am”.  The Bishop prayed over them while presenting them as official candidates for the Holy Orders.  He encouraged the Church to pray for them, especially during the coming weeks, up to the day of their ordination, on Saturday 20th June, at the Cathedral.

On Saturday morning, 30th May, the three candidates made the vow of celibacy during a Mass held at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.  On this occasion, the seminarians, accompanied by their formators, went on a pilgrimage on foot to the sanctuary.  During the pilgrimage the Rosary was recited and on arriving at the sanctuary, the Rector celebrated Mass.  At the end of the Liturgy of the Word the three candidates made the Declaration of Faith and signed the documents related with the vows of celibacy.

Huma diversi dawk li jistaqsu dwar x’joqogħdu jagħmlu s-seminaristi fil-ġranet li fihom ikunu fis-Seminarju.  Is-seminarista, għal seba’ snin sħaħ, iqatta’ ħafna ġimgħat ‘magħluq’ f’din id-dar ta’ formazzjoni, biex iħejji ruħu tajjeb għall-ħajja saċerdotali.

Is-Seminarju jgħin sabiex iż-żagħżugħ jikseb formazzjoni integrali.  Qabel kollox, is-seminarista jkollu l-għajnuna biex jaħseb u jirrifletti fuq is-sejħa għas-saċerdozju, li hu jkun qed iħoss f’qalbu.  Tul dawn is-seba’ snin hu jrid jasal li jikkonferma li Alla tassew qed isajjaħlu għal dan it-tip ta’ ħajja.  Għaldaqstant il-formators (persuni ta’ esperjenza magħżula biex jakkumpanjaw lis-seminarista) jgħinu lil dan iż-żagħżugħ jifhem u jaċċetta aktar lilu nnifsu, u anki jikber fil-ħajja spiritwali tiegħu.  L-esperjenzi pastorali li s-seminarista jwettaq fil-weekend u anki fis-sena intermedjarja, ikomplu jgħinu biex hu jiżżejjen dejjem aktar b’qalb ta’ ragħaj.

Sadanittant is-seminarista għandu wkoll ir-responsabbiltà li jħejji lilu nnifsu tajjeb akkademikament għal din il-missjoni mpennjattiva.  Għal din ir-raġuni, tul iż-żmien li fih ikunu fis-Seminarju, is-seminarista jitħarreġ fix-xjenzi tal-filosofija u tat-teoloġija.  Dan l-istudju jkun ta’ livell terzjarju (fil-fatt il-fakultà tat-teoloġija fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex hi affiljata mal-Angelicum Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’Aquino.  Mit-Tnejn sal-Ġimgħa filgħodu (barra l-Ħamis).  Diversi huma l-lecturers li ta’ kuljum jiġu fis-Seminarju biex jagħtu lectures marbuta ma’ dawn is-suġġetti.

Is-seminaristi Joseph Attard u Mario Curmi, tul ix-xahar ta’ Mejju, kellhom l-eżami de universa (comprehensive), li permezz tiegħu għalqu l-istudji akkademiċi tagħhom fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex.  Dan filwaqt li l-bqija tas-seminaristi, nhar il-Ġimgħa 29 ta’ Mejju temmew il-lectures tagħhom għal din is-sena.  Għal din ir-raġuni f’dawn il-ġranet huma qed iħejju ruħhom għall-eżamijiet li se jsiru bejn it-Tlieta 2 u l-Ħamis 11 ta’ Ġunju.

Ritratti

Many people wonder how seminarians pass their day at the Seminary.  For seven whole years, the seminarian spends many weeks ‘locked up’ in this house of formation where he prepares himself for life as priest.

The Seminary helps the seminarian gain a holistic formation.  First of all, the seminarian is aided to think about and reflect on his priestly vocation.  Throughout the seven years at the Seminary, he has to be certain that his priestly vocation is truly God’s call.  For this reason, various formators help the seminarian understand and accept his real self and to mature spiritually.  The formators who are chosen to accompany the seminarian along the years of formation are people with experience in this field. The pastoral experience gained during weekends and during the intermediary year help the seminarian to take on more heartily the role of a shepherd.

Meanwhile, the seminarian has the duty to prepare himself well academically for this difficult mission.  For this reason, during his stay at the Seminary, the seminarian reads philosophy and theology at tertiary level.  In fact, the Faculty of Theology at the Gozo Seminary is affiliated with the Angelicum Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’Aquino.  Various lecturers visit the Seminary and give lectures everyday, except on Thursday.

Seminarians Joseph Attard and Mario Curmi sat for the examination de universa (comprehensive), which marked the end of their accademic studies at the Seminary.  The other seminarians ended their lectures for the year on Friday 29th May.  They will be sitting for their examinations from Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 11th June.

Images

Nhar is-Sibt 11 ta’ April ħalliena Fr Anton Azzopardi sj.  Dan il-Ġiżwita kien ir-rettur tas-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù għal disa’ snin sħaħ.  Għaldaqstant nhar it-Tnejn 11 ta’ Mejju, f’għeluq ix-xahar minn mewtu, Mons. Isqof Mario Grech mexxa Quddiesa għal ruħu fis-Seminarju t’Għawdex.  Għal din il-Quddiesa kienu mistiedna s-saċerdoti li studjaw fis-Seminarju bejn l-1969 u l-1978.  Ikkonċelebraw ukoll xi patrijiet Ġiżwiti, fosthom il-Provinċjal Fr Patrick Magro u Fr John Scicluna, l-aħħar Ġiżwita li kien rettur tas-Seminarju t’Għawdex (1995-1997).

Mons. Isqof Mario Grech radd ħajr lil Alla għall-Kumpanija ta’ Ġesù li għal diversi snin ipprovdiet saċerdoti li qdew b’imħabba lis-Seminarju t’Għawdex.  Fil-ħin tal-prietka hu ħa l-okkażjoni biex jistieden lis-saċerdoti preżenti, speċjalment dawk li jgħinu fil-formazzjoni tas-seminaristi, sabiex jitolbu lil Alla d-don tal-Ispirtu tal-verità.  Dan għandu jdawwalhom fid-dixxerniment kontinwu tagħhom tal-kandidati għas-saċerdozju.  Fl-istess waqt l-Ispirtu jrid jgħinhom jiffurmaw persuni li kapaċi jagħrfu jaqraw dak li Alla jrid minnhom u anki jaqraw ir-rieda ta’ Alla fis-sitwazzjonijiet li huma jkunu qed jaħdmu fihom bħala saċerdoti.  Mons. Isqof fisser li Fr Anton Azzopardi sj, kien tassew persuna li għarfet tħalli lilha nfisha titmexxa mill-Ispirtu.  Dan deher b’mod speċjali fir-riforma li hu rnexxielu jġib fis-Seminarju t’Għawdex sakemm dam rettur.

Fr Anton Azzopardi sj twieled il-Ħamrun fl-14 ta’ Jannar 1925.  Huwa daħal Ġiżwita fl-1 ta’ Ottubru 1945 u ġie ordnat saċerdot fid-29 ta’ Lulju 1956.  Nhar it-2 ta’ Frar 1963 għamel il-professjoni solenni tiegħu.  Wara li kien rettur tal-Kulleġġ San Alwiġi, fl-1969 ġie mibgħut Għawdex biex ikun ir-rettur tas-Seminarju.  Hu qeda dan il-ministeru wara Dun Ġużeppi Mercieca, eventwalment l-Arċisqof ta’ Malta.  Fr Anton kien l-ewwel wieħed li reġa’ fetaħ it-tradizzjoni li s-Seminarju t’Għawdex ikun immexxi minn patri Ġiżwita.  L-aħħar Ġiżwita qablu li kien rettur tas-Seminarju kien Fr Emmanuele Grima sj, li qeda bħala rettur sal-1909.  Għal 28 sena sħaħ, minn Fr Anton Azzopardi sj (1969) sa Fr John Scicluna sj (1997), is-Seminarju ġie mmexxi mill-Ġiżwiti.  Wara li qeda fis-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù Fr Anton Azzopardi reġa’ kien rettur tal-Kulleġġ San Alwiġi, sal-1985.  Huwa temm il-ħajja tiegħu fuq din l-art nhar il-11 ta’ April 2015, fin-Naxxar.

Ritratti

On Saturday 11th April, the community of the Seminary received the news of the death of Fr Anton Azzopardi SJ, who had served for nine years as rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary.  On Monday 11th May, a month after the death of Fr Azzopardi, Bishop Mgr Mario Grech led the celebration  of Mass for the repose of the soul of Fr Azzopardi.  Various priests who had pursued their studies at the Seminary between the years 1969 and 1978 joined in the concelebration.  Provincial Fr Patrick Magro and Fr John Scicluna, who was the last Jesuit Rector who served at the Gozo Seminary (1995-1997), were also present.

Bishop Mgr Mario Grech thanked God for the Company of Jesus.  Its members had, for many years, served the Gozo Seminary with love and dedication.  During the homily, the bishop invited the priests, especially those who help in the formation of seminarians, to pray God to bestow on them the gift of the Spirit of Truth.  The Spirit will enlighten them in their continuous discernment of the candidates for priesthood.  At the same time, the Spirit will help them educate the seminarians in their charge to be able to read God’s will for them and to be able, as priests, to  follow God’s will in the situations they find themselves in.  The Bishop ended his homily by stating that Fr Anton Azzopardi SJ was surely enlightened by this Spirit, especially in the reforms which he succeeded in introducing at the Gozo Seminary during his term as Rector.

Fr Anton Azzopardi SJ was born at Hamrun on 14th January 1925.  He joined the Jesuits on the 1st October 1945 and was ordained priest on 29th July 1956.  He made his solemn profession on 2nd February 1963.  He served as rector at St Aloysius College and then, in 1969, he became rector of the Gozo Seminary.  He succeeded Fr Joseph Mercieca, who later became Archbishop of Malta.  Fr Azzopardi was the first in a new line of Jesuits to act as rector at the Seminary.  The last Jesuit who had served as rector before Fr Azzopardi was Fr Emmanuele Grima SJ, who was rector of the Seminary up to 1909.  The Gozo Seminary had Jesuit rectors for 28 years, from 1969 (with Fr Azzopardi) to 1997 (with Fr John Scicluna).  After ending his term as rector at the Gozo Seminary, Fr Anton Azzopardi was again made rector of St Aloysius College, a position which he held up to 1985.  Fr Azzopardi died at Naxxar on 11th April 2015.

Images

L-1 ta’ Mejju, il-Festa ta’ San Ġużepp Ħaddiem, hi vaganza pubblika.  Il-komunità tas-Seminarju, ta’ kull sena, tieħu l-okkażjoni biex dakinhar tqatta’ nofstanhar ta’ mistrieħ f’Malta.

Din is-sena, nhar il-Ġimgħa 1 ta’ Mejju, is-seminaristi flimkien mal-formators bdew il-ħarġa bi żjara lis-Sorijiet Agostinjani tal-klawsura ta’ Santa Katarina Verġni u Martri, fil-Belt Valletta.  Fl-okkażjoni tas-sena ddedikata lill-erwieħ ikkonsagrati, dan kien mument sabiħ sabiex is-seminaristi setgħu jiġu f’kuntatt ma’ dawn l-erwieħ li ddedikaw ħajjithom biex jinterċedu għall-poplu fit-talb.  Wara li talbu u tkellmu ftit flimkien, il-komunità marret żaret Casa Rocca Piccola li tinsab propju faċċata tal-monasteru ta’ Santa Katarina.

Iż-żjara f’Casa Rocca Piccola kien ukoll mument interessanti.  Il-komunità kellha x-xorti li tiġi ggwidata mill-Baruni Nicholas De Piro nnifsu.  F’Casa Rocca Piccola wieħed seta’ jifhem x’livell kulturali għoli kellhom nies Maltin bħalna, antenati tagħna.

F’nofsinhar il-komunità kienet mistiedna għall-ikel fis-Seminarju tal-Virtù.  Dan kien mument sabiħ peress li ż-żewġ komunitajiet, dik tas-Seminarju tal-Arċisqof u dik tas-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù setgħu jiltaqgħu u jitkellmu flimkien.

Ritratti