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On Friday, 30th May, Deacon Daniel Sultana, who hails from the parish of Maria Bambina at Xagħra, was ordained priest by Bishop Mgr Mario Grech, at the Cathedral of The Assumption of Our Lady, in Victoria.

A number of priests, members of the community of Seminary, members of the community of the Xagħra parish and many others accompanied Daniel in this greatest moment of his life. Many listeners tuned in on Radju Marija to follow the ceremony.

On the eve of the ordination, the Gozo Church invited its members to join Daniel at the Seminary for an evening of prayer.  The celebration was transmitted live on Radju Marija.  Two very important moments characterised the evening.  The first part was dedicated to the Liturgy of the Word.  After readings form the Bible, Rector Fr Daniel Sultana delivered a homily related with the readings.  Moments of adoration followed.  Then the congregation joined Daniel in praying to the Lord to accompany him on this new mission to which he has been assigned through priesthood.

Following the Eucharistic Blessing,  the Host was taken in procession to the Seminary chapel for adoration through the night.  Bishop Mario Grech closed the evening of prayer with a message related with the occasion.

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Bejn il-Ġimgħa 23 u l-Ġimgħa 30 ta’ Mejju f’Malta kien hawn żjara minn Patri Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, li huwa l-predikatur tal-Papa, li mexxa konferenzi għall-kleru, għar-re;iġjużi, għall-persuni kkonsagrati, kif ukoll għal-lajċi impenjati fil-pastorali. Huwa mexxa wkoll irtir għar-reliġjużi

Nhar il-Ġimgħa 23 ta’ Mejju, propju fl-ewwel jum taż-żjara tiegħu, huwa żar Għawdex fejn mexxa konferenza fis-sala tas-Seminarju Maġġuri bit-tema magħżula tkun: Inxandru l-Evanġelju bil-Qawwa tal-Ispirtu s-Santu. Għal din il-konferenza, li kien hemm ukoll preżenti għaliha in-Nunzju Appostoliku għal Malta l-E.T. Mons Aldo Cavalli u l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex l-E.T. Mons Mario Grech, kienet miftuħa għall-kleru, għar-reliġjużi rġiel u nisa, kif ukoll għall-operaturi pastorali.

Il-konferenza bdiet b’introduzzjoni minn Patri Hayden Williams OFM Cap. Fi tmiem il-konferenza Mons Isqof għamel intervent waqt li in-Nunzju ta l-barka. Fi tmiem il-konferenza kien hemm xi refreshments għal dawk preżenti.

Aktar tard Patri Raniero flimkien man-nunzju u l-isqof kienu mistiedna għaċ-ċena fis-Seminarju.

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Fr Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, who is a preacher for the Pope, was in Gozo during the week 23rd May – 30th May.  He led various conferences for members of the clergy and the religious orders, for consecrated people and for lay people involved pastoral work.  He also led a retreat for members of religious orders.

On his first day in Gozo, 23rd May, he led a conference in the hall of the Major Seminary.  The theme was: Spreading the Scipture led by the Holy Spirit.  Mgr Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio for Malta, and Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, attended the conference, together with members of the clergy and the religious orders, and a number lay people who are involved in pastoral work.

Fr Hayden Williams OFM Cap delivered the introductory speech while the Bishop of Gozo rounded up the conference.  The meeting ended with the Eucharistic Blessing by the Papal Nuncio. The guests were then invited to refreshments.  Later on, Fr Raniero, the Nunciate and the Bishop joined the Seminary community at dinner.

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Il-programm tas-Sibt 17 ta’ Mejju kien xi ftit differenti minn tas-soltu.  Il-komunità sebħet kmieni sabiex tagħmel il-pellegrinaġġ annwali għas-Santwarju tal-Madonna ta’ Pinu fl-Għarb.  L-atmosfera kalma ta’ filgħodu għenet sabiex nitolbu t-talba tar-Rużarju, tant mixtieqa minn Ommna Marija. Qabel bdejna r-Rużarju, quddiem il-monument tal-Papa San Ġwanni Pawlu II, r-Rettur ħeġġiġna sabiex dan il-pellegrinaġġ nagħmluh fl-ispirtu tal-mixja tal-vokazzjoni tagħna li aħna mħeġġin li fuq l-eżempju ta’ dan il-Papa qaddis nafdawha f’idejn Marija.

Mal-wasla fis-Santwarju ta’ Pinu, l-komunità nġabret fil-kappella tad-dehra u hemm ġiet iċċelebrata l-quddiesa.  Wara x-xandir tal-Evanġelju; b’id waħda fuq il-Kelma ta’ Alla, quddiem ix-xbieha tal-Assunzjoni ta’ Marija, u fil-preżenza tal-Ewkristija, id-Djaknu Daniel Sultana għamel il-wiegħda ta’ qabel l-Ordinazzjoni Saċerdotali. Wara bħala komunità għamilna l-att ta’ affidament f’riġlejn Marija.

Id-Djaknu Daniel Sultana se jiġi ordnat saċerdot fil-Katidral ta’ Għawdex nhar il-Ġimgħa 30 ta’ Mejju fis-6.00pm.  Il-Ħamis 29 ta’ Mejju se ssir velja ta’ talb fis-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù fid-9.00pm.  Fi tmiemha Ġesù Ewkaristija se jibqa’ espost lejl sħiħ fil-kappella tas-Seminarju.  Kulħadd hu mistieden jingħaqad magħna fit-talb għal Daniel li permezz tas-saċerdozju se joffri ħajjtu lil Alla u għall-qadi tal-Knisja tiegħu.

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The programme of Saturday, 17th May was rather different from usual.  The community woke up early to make the annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu at Gharb.  The calm atmosphere of early morning accompanied our prayer of the Rosary, which Our Lady urged us to say.  Before we began to recite the Rosary, we stopped at the foot to the monument of Pope St John Paul II.  The Rector urged us to let the spirit of our vocational call accompany us on this pilgrimage, to follow in the footsteps of St John Paul II who entrusted his call to Our Lady.

On our arrival at the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu, the community gathered in the inner chapel where Mass was said.  After the reading of the Gospel, Deacon Daniel Sultana laid one hand on the Bible, and in front of the picture of the Assumption of Our Lady and in the presence of the Holy Eucharist, he took his vows prior to his Priestly Ordination.  Afterwards, the community proceeded with the act of trust at the foot of the picture of Our Lady.

Deacon Daniel Sultana will be ordained priest at the Gozo Cathedral on Friday, 30th May, at 6.00pm.  On Thursday 29th May, there is going to be an evening of prayer at the Sacred Heart Seminary, at 9.00pm.  Adoraton of the Holy Eucharist will proceed during the night in the chapel of the Seminary.  The public is invited to unite with us in prayer for Daniel who, through his priesthood, is offering his life to God and in service to his Church.

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Nhar is-Sibt, 10 ta’ Mejju ġiet organizzata attività għall-membri tal-gruppi tal-abbatini u tal-vokazzjonijiet fl-okkażjoni tal-Jum Dinji tal-Vokazzjonijiet

L-attivita’ bdiet b’laqgħa mmexxija mis-seminaristi b’rabta mal-vokazzjonijiet għall-ħajja saċerdotali u reliġjuża. Waqt il-laqgħa Mons. Isqof Mario Grech żar id-diversi grupp fejn wassal ukoll il-messaġġ tiegħu.

L-attivita’ imbagħad kompliet b’mument qasir ta’ Adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat li saret fil-kappella tas-Seminarju Maġġuri. Il-laqgħa ntemmet bi ftit ħin ta’ rikreazzjoni fejn l-istudenti kellhom iċ-ċans li jsiru jafu aħjar lil xulxin kif ukoll li jiltaqgħu mas-seminaristi waqt li jieklu xi ħaġa u jilgħabu xi logħba futbol fil-bitħa u fil-gym tas-Seminarju.

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On Saturday, 10th May, the Seminary hosted members of Groups of Altar Boys and of Vocations Groups on the occasion of World Vocations Day.

The activity commenced with a meeting led by the seminarians.  The meeting was related with priestly and religious vocations.  During the activity, Bishop Grech paid a visit to the Seminary and met the members of the various groups.

There was also a short moment of Adoration of The Holy Eucharist in the chapel of the Major Seminary. The activity ended with the seminarians and students sharing their experiences, playing football and having lunch together.

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Bejn il-Ħadd, 3 u l-Ġimgħa 9 ta’ Mejju, il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju organizzat ġimgħa ta’ talb għall-vokazzjonijiet fil-parroċċa ta’ Sannat, iddedikata lil Santa Mergerita. Matul din il-ġimgħa waqt il-quddies saret enfasi fit-talb tal-komunita’ għall-vokazzjonijiet.

Il-Ħamis, wara l-quddiesa ta’ filgħaxija, is-seminaristi mexxew nofs siegħa adorazzjoni b’talb għall-vokazzjonijiet fil-knisja parrokkjali.

Imbagħad l-għada l-Ġimgħa il-komunita’ kollha tas-Seminarju flimkien mas-superjuri mexxew il-quddies ta’ filgħaxija fil-knisja parrokjali fejn is-seminarista Daniel Mercieca qasam l-esperjenza tal-vokazzjoni tiegħu.  Waqt din il-quddiesa kien hemm parteċipazzjoni sabieħa mill-istudenti li jattendu s-soċjeta’ tal-MUSEUM hekk kif f’dan il-jum kienet qed tiġi ċċerlebrata l-festa ta’ San Ġorġ Preca.

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Between Sunday, 3rd and Friday, 9th May, the Community of the Seminary organised a week of prayer for vocations at St Margaret Parish, Sannat.  During the week, the prayers of the congregation at Mass focused on vocations.

On Thursday, following the evening Mass at the parrochial church , the seminarians led a half-a-hour Adoration with prayers for vocations.

On Friday, the community of the Seminary and the superiors partecipated in the afternoon Mass, celebrated at the parrochial church.  Seminarian Daniel Mercieca shared his vocational call with the congregation.

A number of students who attend the MUSEUM took part in this Mass, that Friday being the feast of St Gorg Preca.

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Ta’ kull sena, fl-okkażjoni tal-festa ta’ San Ġużepp Ħaddiem, il-komunità tas-Seminarju flimkien mal-formators, jieħdu ġurnata ta’ mistrieħ f’Malta.  Hekk sar ukoll din is-sena, nhar il-Ħamis l-1 ta’ Mejju.

Hekk kif wasalna Malta, bqajna sejrin Birkirkara fejn żorna l-Oratorju tal-MSSP. Hemm bħala komunita’ ġejna mdawwra madwar il-post minn Fr. Martin Cilia, li spjegalna wkoll il-ħidma pastorali li din il-komunita’ qed twettaq b’rabta mal-katekeżi. Wara l-quddiesa li l-komunita’ tas-seminarju ċċelebrat fl-istess post morna nżuru l-kappella tal-Oratorju fejn Fr. Nathaniel Teuma spjegalna x-xogħol li qed jagħmel bħalissa marbut mal-pittura tal-ikoni u tagħna spjegazzjoni fuq kull ikona.

Minn Birkirkara, bqajna sejrin il-Birgu fejn żorna l-palazz tal-Inkwiżitur. F’dan il-palazz kellna x-xorti naraw xi aspetti marbuta ma’ żmien l-inkwiżizzjoni f’pajjiżna kif ukoll nammiraw l-arkitettura u diversi opri artistiċi.

F’nofsinhar żorna s-Seminarju Tal-Virtù u hemm il-komunità tas-Seminarju tal-Arċidjoċesi laqgħetna għall-ikel. Intant qabel ir-ritorn lura lejn Għawdex bħala komunita’ żorna l-MonteKristo Animal Park li hu post fejn wieħed jista’ jammira l-annimali, xi whud rari għal pajjiżna.

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Every year, on the occasion of the feast of St Joseph the Worker, May 1st, the community of the Seminary and the formators spend a day of relaxation in Malta.  This year, the feast fell on a Thursday.

Our first visit was to the MSSP Oratory at Birkirkara.  We were shown around by Fr Martin Cilia who explained to us the pastoral work of the community in the field of catechesis.  After Mass, we visited the Oratory chapel where Fr Nathaniel Teuma showed us his painting of icons and explained to us the meaning of every icon.

We then visited the Inquisition Palace at Birgu.  We saw various aspects of the Inquisition period on the island and we could also admire various works of art and architecture.

At noon, we were hosted for lunch at the Seminary of Tal-Virtù.  On our way to Gozo, we stopped the MonteKristo Animal Park,  where one can see many different animals, some of which are rare species on the Island.

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Nhar it-Tnejn, 31 ta’ Marzu, is-seminaristi ddedikaw nofs ta’ nhar ta’ ħidma volontarja f’Angela House, dar immexxija mis-sorijiet Ursolini li tilqa’ fiha tfal li minħabba raġunijiet diversi ma jkunux jistgħu jibqgħu jgħixu fid-dar mal-ġenituri tagħhom.

Qabel ma’ bdew il-ħidma, is-seminaristi ġew imdawwra mal-post fejn bħalissa qed isir diversi xogħol ta’ rinovament. Kellhom ukoll ċ-ċans li jidħlu fil-postijiet fein jgħixu t-tfal, fejn iltaqgħu ma’ xi tfal li jgħixu f’din id-dar. Setgħu jinnutaw il-ħidma li dawn is-sorijiet iwettqu b’tant imħabba u dedikazzjoni kif ukoll b’impenn u sagrifiċċju personali.

Matul dan in-nofs ta’ nhar, is-seminaristi għenu lil din il-komunita’ billi taw is-sehem tagħhom fit-tindif tal-ġnien.

Marbuta ma din id-dar ukoll, matul ir-Randan, is-seminaristi qed jiġbru fondi kemm minn fost il-komunita’ tas-Seminarju kif ukoll minn fost l-istudenti tal-Iskola tas-Seminarju Minuri b’risq din id-dar sabiex ikunu jistgħu jinxtraw xi monitors.

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