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F’jum is-Solennità tat-Tħabbira tal-Mulej, 25 ta’ Marzu 2015, is-seminarista Mario Curmi u Massimo Buttigieg ippreżentaw it-talba tagħhom lil Mons. Isqof biex jaċċettahom għall-ordinazzjoni djakonali.  Dan sar waqt quddiesa fil-kappella tal-Lunzjata, ir-Rabat.  Il-komunità nġabret fil-kappella flimkien mal-kongregazzjoni preżenti għall-kant tat-II Għasar tas-Solennità, li mexxih ir-Rettur tas-Seminarju.  Wara Mons. Isqof mexxa l-quddiesa.

Waqt il-prietka hu ppreżenta lil Marija bħala mudell għal dawk li jaħbtu jaqtgħu qalbhom fl-għażliet li jwettqu.  Marija li għażlet twieġeb “iva” lil Alla, li kellimha permezz ta’ Gabrijel.  Din l-“iva” switilha sagrifiċċji kbar, kif jidher ċar fil-festa ta’ Marija Addolorata.  Madankollu l-Verġni Marija ma qatgħetx qalbha, għax fil-mumenti diffiċli hi kienet tiftakar fil-kliem sabiħ li qalilha l-anġlu fit-tħabbira.  Mons. Isqof stqarr li hemm tliet mumenti, fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum, li fihom il-bniedem jaħbat jaqta’ qalbu jwieġeb “iva” għas-sejħa tal-Mulej.  L-ewwel mument hu meta wieħed jagħżel li jkun ġust u jinduna li n-nies ta’ madwaru qed jisirqu.  Għaldaqstant wieħed jaħbat jaqta’ qalbu jgħix skont kif titlob minnu l-kuxjenza għax iblah.  Mument ieħor fejn wieħed jaħbat iħossu jaqta’ qalbu hu meta jħoss li Alla qed jagħmillu sejħa vokazzjonali.  Anki hawn jeħtieġ li wieħed, bħal Marija, iwieġeb “iva” u jagħmel minn kollox biex din l-“iva” jwassalha sat-tmiem.  Fl-aħħar hu qal li fil-Festa tat-Tħabbira tal-Mulej aħna niċċelebraw il-ħajja.  Ħafna koppji jsibu ruħhom jibżgħu jkunu miftuħa għall-ħajja, jibżgħu mis-sagrifiċċju.  Anki hawn, kemm hu sabiħ li l-koppja tkun miftuħa biex tilqa’ d-doni li Alla jogħġbu joffrilha.  F’dawn it-tliet aspetti hemm it-tentazzjoni kbira tal-qtigħ ta’ qalb, madankollu, Alla jipprovdi l-anġli li jwasslu kliem ta’ faraġ u kliem ta’ kuraġġ biex wieħed iwettaq bis-sħiħ ir-rieda ta’ Alla għalih fil-ħajja tiegħu.

Waqt il-mument tal-offertorju Mario u Massimo ppreżentaw it-talba tagħhom.  Fl-aħħar tal-quddiesa Mons. Karm Borg, ir-Rettur tal-kappella tal-Lunzjata, għat-tieni sena konsekuttiva, ippreżenta borża ta’ studju lis-Seminarju, li nġabret mill-komunità ċkejkna li tiltaqa’ f’din il-kappella.

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On the 25th March 2015, Feast of the Annunciation, Seminarian Mario Curmi and Seminarian Massimo Buttigieg asked Bishop Mario Grech to accept to ordain them as deacons.  The ceremony was held at the Chapel of the Annunciation in Victoria.  The community of the Seminary joined the congregation in the singing of the Second Vespers of the day, led by the Rector of the Seminary.  Bishop Grech then led the celebration of the Eucharist.

During the homily, the Bishop presented Mary as a model to those who may have second thoughts about the choices they have made.  Mary chose to say “yes” to God, who spoke to her through Gabriel.  This “yes” brought Mary much suffering, which we meditate in the feast of The Sorrowful Mother of Christ.  However, the Virgin Mother was not discouraged, since when faced with difficulties, she used to remind herself of the words of the Archangel Gabriel.  The Bishop singled out three instances when a person may feel discouraged to say “yes” to the call of the Lord.  The first instance is when a person does his best to be correct but then is aware of others who cheat. This person may feel that it would be better if he were to ignore his conscience and act like the others.  The second instance is when a person feels that God is calling him for a vocation. Like Mary, this person must say “yes” to the call and must do his best to serve this “yes” to the end.  The third instance takes its cue from the Feast of the Annuciation when we celebrate life.  Many couples are afraid to be open to life and to sacrifice. How blessed is that couple who is open to the gifts that the Lord may offer!  In these three instances a person may feel tempted to lose heart.  However God has his angels who spread words of comfort and courage so that each and everyone of us follows God’s will.

During the Presentation of the Gifts, Mario and Massimo presented their petition.  At the end of the Mass, Mgr Karm Borg, Rector of the Chapel of the Annunciation, presented a scholarship to the Seminary.  This scholarship is being presented for the second consecutive year by the community that uses this chapel.

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The liturgical time of Lent, in itself is a time which demands an exercise in prayer, in fasting and in charity.  As in previous years, this year also the Seminary offered various opportunities to the seminarians, both on a personal level and also as a community, to spend Lent in a worthwhile manner.  The programme for Lent included an increase in moments of prayer, for example the Mid day prayer, the Via Crucis and the Via Matris.  On Friday  20th March, the Seminarians had moments of fraternal correction and participated in the Via Crucis at T’Ghammar.  On Monday 23rd March, there was the penitential celebration for the seminarians.  Every week during Lent, the seminarians visited the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary to receive donations for Fr Raymond Portelli’s Mission in Peru.  This year, the funds would go for new beds in Fr Portelli’s hospital which hosts AIDS patients.  On very Thursday of Lent, the seminarians visited various churches to receive donations for the Seminary from the faithful.

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Iż-żmien liturġiku tar-Randan, minnu nnifsu hu żmien li jitlob eżerċizzju fit-talb, fis-sawm u fil-karità.  Is-Seminarju, għal din is-sena wkoll, offra l-opportunitajiet kollha biex is-seminaristi, kemm fuq livell personali kif ukoll bħala komunità, ikunu jistgħu japprofittaw tajjeb minn dan iż-żmien.  Fil-programm żdiedu l-mumenti tat-talb, fosthom it-talba ta’ nofs il-jum, il-Via Sagra u l-Via Matris.  Il-Ġimgħa 20 ta’ Marzu saret il-korrezzjoni fraterna u l-Via Sagra fuq l-Għolja t’Għammar.  It-Tnejn 23 ta’ Marzu saret ukoll ċelebrazzjoni penitenzjali għas-seminaristi.  Ta’ kull ġimgħa, tul ir-Randan kollu s-seminaristi ħadu ħsieb imorru fis-Seminarju Minuri tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù biex jiġbru l-karità għall-missjoni ta’ Dun Raymond Portelli fil-Perù, mingħand l-istudenti tal-Iskola.  Din is-sena nġabru l-flus biex Dun Raymond ikun jista’ jagħmel sodod ġodda għall-isptar tiegħu li jilqa’ fih nies morda bil-AIDS.  Kull nhar ta’ Ħamis, tul ir-Radan, is-seminaristi żaru wkoll l-eżerċizzji li kienu qegħdin jibgħataw fil-parroċċi u fil-knejjes sabiex jiġbru l-offerta ġeneruża tal-poplu ta’ Alla għas-Seminarju Maġġuri tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù.

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Ta’ kull sena, is-seminaristi jgħixu b’intensità l-liturġija nhar is-Solennità ta’ San Ġużepp fil-kappella tas-Seminarju.  L-Erbgħa 18 ta’ Marzu filgħaxija, is-seminaristi talbu r-rużarju ta’ San Ġużepp fil-kappella, li ġiet imżejna b’mod speċjali għal din l-okkażjoni.  L-għada filgħodu, imbagħad, Dun Michael Curmi ċċelebra l-Ewkaristija tal-Festa.  Wara t-tqarbin is-Seminarista Joseph Attard għamel ħsieb tal-okkażjoni.

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Every year, the community of the Seminary celebrates the Feast of St Joseph.  On Wednesday evening, 18th March, the seminarians gathered at the chapel to say the Rosary of St Joseph.  The chapel had been decorated in a special way for the occasion.  The following morning, Fr Michael Curmi celebrated the Eucharist of the Feast.  After Holy Communion, Seminarian Joseph Attard delivered a short homily prepared for the occasion.

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Għar-raba’ sena konsekuttiva s-seminaristi organizzaw Sports Day għall-abbatini u għall-gruppi tal-vokazzjonijiet.  Din saret nhar San Ġużepp, il-Ħamis 19 ta’ Marzu 2015.  Din is-sena wkoll grupp sabiħ ta’ tfal u studenti nġabar għal din l-attività.  Fid-9.00am beda kollox permezz ta’ mument ta’ talb u wara beda l-logħob.  Fil-11.00am sar break biex it-tfal kellhom ċans biex jieklu.  Wara kompla l-logħob sas-2.00pm.  Fi tmiem il-ġurnata l-parteċipanti kollha ngħataw it-tifkira għal din is-sena.

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For the fourth consecutive year, the seminarians organised a sports day for altar boys and members of Vocations Groups.  Sports Day was on Thursday 19th March, Feast of St Joseph.  This year, as in previous years, quite a large number of children and students attended this activity.  The day started at 9.00 am with a short prayer, followed by games.  Break time was at 11.00 am and the children could have their lunch.  Then games started again at 2.00 pm.  At the end of the day, all the partecipants received a memento for the occasion.

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Kull Nisrani msejjaħ jaqsam id-doni tiegħu mal-oħrajn.  Dan jgħodd b’mod speċjali għad-don tal-vokazzjoni.  Minn hawn joħroġ is-sens ta’ kull laqgħa u attività vokazzjonali li jorganizza s-Seminarju u s-seminaristi.

Żmien ir-Randan hu opportunità sabiħa biex dan jista’ jsir.  Nhar is-Sibt 7 ta’ Marzu filgħaxija s-seminaristi stiednu lill-abbatini u l-istudenti tal-gruppi tal-vokazzjonijiet (minn forms 1-4) biex jinġabru s-Seminarju.  Grupp sabiħ, ta’ madwar sittin student, mill-maġġoranza tal-parroċċi nġabar għal din l-attività.  It-tema kien: “Inqum u mmur għand missieri!”  L-adolexxenti nqasmu f’żewġ gruppi, skont l-età, u kull grupp żviluppa flimkien mas-seminaristi, dan it-tema.  Kollox ġie fi tmiemu bi snack u b’logħba futbol.

Nhar il-Ġimgħa 13 ta’ Marzu kien imiss l-istudenti tal-form 5 u tas-6 form.  Huma ngħaqdu mal-komunità filgħaxija (madwar għaxar studenti) u sar mument ċkejken ta’ talb bl-Iskrittura Mqaddsa.  Dan kien mument interessanti għal kulħadd peress li ġie mħaddem metodu ta’ talb(imsejjaħ Scrutatio) li kien ġdid għal ħafna minn dawk preżenti.  Is-silta tal-Vanġelu li mexxiet l-attività kienet is-sejħa ta’ Levi (Mk 2,13-17).  Wara kien imiss li dawk kollha preżenti jieklu flimkien.  Kulħadd ħareġ kuntent bl-ikel li ħejjiet il-kċina tas-Seminarju!  Ċertament l-aktar parti tal-attività mistennija kienet dik li ġiet l-aħħar, jiġifieri, il-logħba futbol mas-seminaristi.  Xi studenti għażlu li jitħalltu mas-seminaristi billi jilgħabu xi board games magħhom.

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Every Christian is called upon to share his gifts with others.  This applies especially to the gift of the priestly vocation which forms the basis of every vocational meeting and every vocational activity organised by the Seminary and the Seminarians.

Lent offers a good opportunity for such activities.  On Saturday evening, 7th March, the seminarians invited the altar boys and the students of the Vocations Groups (Forms 1 to 4) to meet at the Seminary.  Quite a number of students, about sixty in all, hailing from the majority of the parishes, attended this activity.  The theme was: “I shall arise and go to my father!” The adolescents were divided into two group, according to age, and each group developed this theme with the help of the seminarians.  The activity ended with a snack and a game of football.

On Friday, 13th March, it was the turn of Form 5 and Form 6 students.  They met the community of the Seminary in the evening.  They were about ten students and together they participated in a short moment of prayer through the Holy Scriptures.  This was an interesting moment for everybody since a particular type of prayer (known as Scrutatio) was applied. It was a new experience for many of those present.  The passage from the Gospel on which this activity was based was the calling of Levi (Mk 2:13-17).  Then the partecipants could enjoy the delicious lunch prepared by the kitchen of the Seminary! The last part of the activity was by far the most looked forward to.  This was a football match with the seminarians. Some of the students socialised with the seminarians and played board games with them.

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Nhar is-Sibt 7 ta’ Marzu s-seminaristi Maltin flimkien mal-formators tagħhom żaru s-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex.  Dan hu wieħed mill-ftit mumenti li fih is-seminaristi jkollhom mument ta’ fraternità flimkien.

Mons. Isqof Mario Grech ingħaqad maż-żewġ komunitajiet u ċċelebra l-Ewkaristija.  Fil-ħin tal-prietka hu rrifletta fuq il-Vanġelu msejjaħ tal-Iben il-Ħali.  Ħa l-okkażjoni biex iħeġġeġ kemm lis-seminaristi u kif ukoll lis-saċerdoti preżenti biex qabel kollox huma stess ma jibżgħux b’indiema jersqu quddiem Alla.  “Aħna lkoll midinbin”, hekk stqarr Mons. Isqof.  Min-naħa l-oħra, Alla hu għani fil-ħniena: “hu se jkun dejjem jistenniena b’idejh miftuħa”.

Mons. Grech kompla jgħid li Alla jistenna li s-saċerdot jilbes il-kwalitajiet tiegħu, b’mod speċjali l-kwalità tal-paċenzja.  “Alla juri paċenzja kemm ma’ dawk li jzappu minħabba kawża tranżitorja, kif ukoll ma’ dawk li ma jistgħux jimxu minħabba kawża permanenti u għaldaqstant probabbli li qatt ma jistgħu jimxu bħall-oħrajn.”  Għaldaqstant Mons. Isqof appella biex is-seminaristi, ’il quddiem fit-twettiq tal-ministeru tagħhom “ma jkunux saċerdoti bla paċenzja man-nies”.

Fi tmiem il-quddiesa r-Rettur tas-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù, ta’ Għawdex, Fr Tony Sciberras mssp wera l-apprezzament tiegħu lill-komunità tas-Seminarju tal-Arċisqof, għaż-żjara tagħhom.  Hu tenna l-istedina tiegħu: “you are always welcomed”.  Iż-żjara ntemmet permezz tal-ikel flimkien.

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On Saturday 7th March,  seminarians and formators from the Malta Seminary paid a visit to the Gozo Seminary.  This is one of the few occasions in which seminarians from the two Seminaries meet and share their experiences.

Mgr Bishop Grech joined the two communities and celebrated Mass.  During the homily, Mgr Grech reflected on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  He encouraged the priests and the seminarians who were present not to be afraid of asking God’s forgiveness.  Mgr. Grech said: “We are all sinners.”  On the other hand, God’s mercy is limitless: “He is always waiting for us with open arms.”

Mgr Grech added that God expects every priest to wear His own virtues, especially the virtue of patience.  “God is patient with both those who are lame because of a transitory cause and those who are lame because of a permanent cause and thus have to limp all the way.  For this reason Mgr Grech appealed to the seminarians to endorse the virtue of patience when they are on their priestly mission.

At the end of the Mass, Fr Tony Sciberras MSSP, Rector of the Seminary of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, thanked the community of the Malta Seminary for their visit. He assured the Malta community that they are always welcome.  The Gozo Seminary then hosted the group at lunch.

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