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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.

This year, the Feast of St Joseph fell on the Forth Sunday of Lent, so the solemnity was observed on Monday 20th of March. The day at the Seminary started with the Lauds, and in the evening, a solemn mass was held, presided over by the Can Rector Fr. Richard Farrugia. Seminarian Matthew Borg delivered a reflection on St. Joseph. During the mass, which was attended by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, several staff members, and helpers.

Following the mass, a dinner was organized for the seminarians, formators, and staff of the seminary, which took place at Vini e Capricci by Abrahams.

On Saturday 18 of March, which happened to be the eve of St Joseph, our Seminary organized a Pasta Night in aid of our Seminary. The menu consisted of a cold-cuts appetizer, followed by three varieties of pasta; traditional Timpana, Rotarelle with pesto, and traditional locally-made Ravioli.

 In addition to enjoying the delicious food, attendees also participated in several Bingo games. We extend our gratitude to all who attended the event, to the “Aħwa ħbieb tas-Seminarju” for their support and preparation, to those who generously offered spot prizes, and finally, to our kitchen staff who organized the event and prepared the excellent food.

On Saturday, January 21st, which happed to be on the eve of the Sunday dedicated to the Word of God. our community gathered at the chapel for the annual blessing of the Icon that represents this year’s theme took place. The theme for this year’s icon was inspired by the Gospel of Luke (Lk1,39-45), with a particular focus on the verse “set out and traveled”. This passage served as the primary source of inspiration for the creation of the icon.

Fr. Peter Paul Sultana, the iconographer, was present during the celebration of the blessing of this year’s icon. The celebration was led by Canon Richard N. Farrugia, the rector. Prior to the blessing, Seminarian Franklin Micallef read the passage from Luke’s Gospel. Then Fr. Sultana gave a theological explanation of the technique and symbols used in the icon, highlighting the profound significance of each detail and how it can inspire anyone seeking to explore the biblical message of the passage through the icon. Fr. Rector subsequently blessed the icon.

Earlier today it was announced the death of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, who died this morning at 9:34 am in the Monastery of Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican.

The Director of the Press Room of the Holy See Matteo Bruni an hour after the death of the Pope gave this news.

Pope Benedict XVI, who was 95 years old, was the first Pope in 600 years to leave the pontificate during his lifetime. Right from then, in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI continued to live in the Vatican.

In April of the year 2020, Pope Benedict XVI during his Apostolic visit to our country placed a golden rose at the feet of Our Lady of Pinu during a mass held on the Floriana Granaries.

The Seminary community unites in prayer with suffrage for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The Lord welcomes this humble and busy servant, faithful and wise who worked fully in his field.