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Nhar il-Ħadd, 15 ta’ Diċembru, fil-knisja parrokkjali tal-Madonna ta’ Loreto f’Għajnsielem, l-Isqof ta’ Għawdex Mons. Mario Grech ta l-Ministeru tal-Akkolitat lis-seminaristi Joseph Attard mill-parroċċa taż-Żebbuġ u Mario Curmi mill-parroċċa tax-Xagħra. Permezz tal-Ministeru tal-Akkolitat lil dawn is-seminaristi ingħatatilhom il-fakultà li jgħinu fit-Tqarbin Imqaddes waqt il-Liturġija kif ukoll fid-djar tal-morda., waqt li jkomplu f’mixja ta’ formazzjoni lejn is-saċerdozju.

Fl-omelija, l-Isqof Grech tkellem dwar Ġwanni l-Battista bħala mudell tal-virtù tal-umiltà.  Għalkemm hu kien bniedem sod f’fehmietu, mill-ħabs ta’ Erodi fejn kien miżmum hu ried ikompli jistħarreġ l-għarfien tiegħu ta’ min hu Kristu, biex ukoll jagħraf aħjar lilu nnifsu.  Fi kliem l-Isqof Grech, dan hu messaġġ ċar għall-komunità Nisranija li qed titħejja għall-Milied.  Aħna trabbejna f’kultura Nisranija bir-riskju li naħsbu li lil Ġesù nafuh biżżejjed.  Imma anki aħna bħal Ġwanni għandna bżonn nagħrfu lil Ġesù iżjed u nistħarrġu lilna nfusna aħniex ngħixu bil-fedeltà s-sejħa Nisranija tagħna.

L-eżempju tal-Battista jgħodd ukoll għall-Akkoliti l-ġodda f’mixja ta’ formazzjoni lejn il-ministeru saċerdotali.  Mhux biżżejjed li jkunu jafu lil Ġesù mill-klassijiet tal-formazzjoni tat-Teoloġija u t-talb personali.  F’din il-fażi ta’ dixxerniment tagħhom, jeħtieġ jitolbu lil Alla d-don tal-umiltà u bħal Ġwanni ma jehdew qatt jistaqsu jafux biżżejjed lill-Mulej Ġesù waqt li jkomplu jistħarrġu wkoll lilhom infushom.  Dan hu l-ministeru profetiku fil-Knisja, tenna l-Isqof.

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On Sunday, 15^th December, at the parochial church of Our Lady of Loreto at Għajnsielem, Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, bestowed the Ministry of the Acolytate to Seminarian Joseph Attard from the Żebbuġ Parish and to Seminarian Mario Curmi from the Xagħra Parish.  With this Ministry the new acolytes can give Holy Communion during Mass and at the homes of the sick and the elderly.  This ministry is a further step in their  formation for priesthood.

In his homily, Mgr Bishop Grech talked about John the Baptist as a model of the virtue of humility. John the Baptist was a man of principle, but still he wanted to strengthen his beliefs in Christ and in himself even though he was in Herod’s prison.  Bishop Grech said that this serves as a clear message to the Catholic community during its preparation for Christmas.  Having been reared up in a Catholic culture, we run the risk of believing that there is nothing more left for us to know about Christ.  However, we too, like John the Baptist, need to know a lot more about Christ and we need to know a lot more also about ourselves, to determine whether or not we are being faithful to our Catholic call.

The example of John the Baptist needs to be followed also by the new Acolytes during their years of formation for priesthood.  Knowing Jesus through lessons of Theology during their years of formation and through personal prayer, is not enough.  During this phase of discernment they need to pray God to instil in them the virtue of humility and follow John’s example in an unending query about Christ and about themselves.  The Bishop ended his homily by saying that this is the prophetical ministry of the Church.

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Nhar it-8 ta’ Diċembru, il-Knisja Kattolika tiċċelebra s-Solennita’ tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni. Din il-festa għandha rabta speċjali mas-Seminarju tagħna, minħabba l-fatt li l-Kappella tas-Seminarju għandha bħala titular tagħha l-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni.

Minħabba li din is-sena, s-Solennita’ tal-Immakulata ħabtet il-Ħadd, bħala komunita’ ċċelebrajna din il-festa xi ftit b’differenza mis-soltu. Għalhekk is-Sibt f’nofsinhar Mons. Isqof ingħaqad mal-komunità fis-Seminarju għat-Talba ta’ Nofs il-Jum. Wara l-Lezzjoni Qasira d-Djaknu Daniel Sultana għamel omelija tal-okkażjoni.

Imbagħad kellna l-ikla tal-festa, li għaliha kienu mistiedna wkoll l-għalliema u l-formators, flimkien ma’ Mons. Isqof.

Is-Sibt filgħaxija imbagħad, is-seminaristi taw is-servizz tagħhom waqt il-kant tal-Għasar li kien iċċelebrat fil-Katidral.

L-għada l-Ħadd, is-seminaristi ħadu sehem fil-Pontifikal li Mons. Isqof mexxa fil-Katidral u filgħaxija ingħaqadna mal-Komunita tal-Patrijiet Franġiskani Konventwali li kienu qed jiċċelebraw il-festa titulari tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni fejn ħadna sehem fil-quddiesa ta’ filgħaxija li kienet immexxija mir-Rettur tas-Seminarju flimkien mal-formators.

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On the 8^th December, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  This feast has a special bond with our Seminary, since the Seminary chapel is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Since this year’s feast happened to fall on Sunday, we as a community celebrated the feast in a rather different way.  At noon, on Saturday, Mgr Bishop Grech joined us for the Mid-day Prayers.  Then following a short reading, Deacon Daniel Sultana delivered a homily for the occasion.

Mgr Bishop Grech, lectureres and formators joined us for the mid day meal.

On Saturday evening, the seminarians offered their services during the Vespers held at the Cathedral. On Sunday morning, they took part in the Pontifical Mass led by Mgr Bishop Grech at the Cathedral.  In the evening, they joined the Community of the Franciscan Conventual Monks for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  The seminarians participated in the evening Mass celebrated by the Rector accompanied by the formators.

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Kif imħabbar iktar kmieni, matul din is-sena is-seminarju ħa l-inizjattiva li bħala parti mill-formazzjoni tas-seminaristi jorganizza laqgħat b’orjentament pastorali. Dawn il-laqgħat għandhom l-iskop li jgħinu lis-seminaristi jsiru jafu aħjar bid-diversi grupp, għaqdiet u ħidmiet pastorali li għandna fid-Djoċesi tagħna waqt li jiffamiljarizzaw aktar ruħhom ma’ dawn l-għaqdiet u l-ħidma li qed iwettqu.

Nhar l-Erbgħa, 23 t’Ottubru kien mistieden is-Sur Alfred Grech, membru fi ħdan il-Leġjun ta’ Marija. Waqt din il-laqgħa, Alfred qasam mal-komunita’ l-istorja u l-oriġini ta’ din l-organizzazzjoni u anke l-iskop li din twaqqfet ukoll f’Għawdex. Huwa tkellem ukoll dwar l-formazzjoni li jirċievu l-membri tal-Leġjun ta’ Marija, kif ukoll dwar il-ħidma li qed twettaq din l-għaqda fid-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex u lilhinn minnha. Ma naqasx ukoll milli jistieden lis-seminaristi biex ikunu iktar midħla tal-Leġjun u dwar l-irwol li s-Saċerdot imma wkoll is-seminarista jista’ jkollu fi ħdan din l-organizzazzjoni. Huwa stieden ukoll lis-seminaristi sabiex jekk jixtiequ, jieħdu sehem f’wieħed mill-Pellegrinazio pro Cristo li l-Leġjun ta’ Marija ser ikun qed jorganizza matul is-sajf li ġej.

L-Erbgħa, 6 ta’ Novembru kien imiss lis-Sur Antoine Vassallo, president tal-Azzjoni Kattolika f’Għawdex sabiex jaqsam mal-komunita’ tas-Seminarju l-ħidma ta’ din l-għaqda. Huwa tkellem dwar l-oriġini tal-Azzjoni Kattolika ġewwa l-Italja, u kif ittieħdet l-inizzjattiva sabiex din titwaqqaf f’Għawdex. Semma wkoll r-rabta li teżisti bejn is-Seminarju Maġġuri u l-Azzjoni Kattolika, anke għall-fatt li fil-bidu l-membri tal-Azzjoni Kattolika kienu jiltaqgħu fis-Seminarju għall-laqgħat. Huwa fisser l-Azzjoni Kattolika bħala għaqda tal-apostolat tal-lajċi li toffri tagħlim lill-membri biex, imsaħħa mit-talb jaħdmu fil-Parroċċi u fid-Djoċesi f’rabta mal-Isqof u l-Kappillani. Fost il-ħidmiet li l-membri tal-Azzjoni Kattolika jwettqu nistgħu nsemmu ħidmiet mal-anzjani, tagħlim tad-duttrina, u dan l-aħħar l-Isqof wera x-xewqa li fid-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex l-membri jibdew jieħdu ħsieb li javviċinaw u jgħinu lill-persuni li jħossuhom fil-periferija tal-Knisja.

Imbagħad l-Erbgħa, 4 ta’ Diċembru ġew mistiedna il-koppja Joe u Ġiovanna Rapa li jiffurmaw parti mill-Komunita’ tal-Mixja Neokatekumenali. Waqt din il-laqgħa huma tkellmu dwar l-oriġini ta’ dan il-moviment li beda fis-snin sittin f’Madrid fi Spanja permezz ta’ persuna li kien fi tfittxija tal-fidi. Tkellmu ukoll fuq kif dan evolva kif ukoll dwar l-iskop tal-laqgħat li huma jagħmlu fejn joħorġu fid-dieher it-tlett pilastri li fuqhom hu mibni dan il-moviment, jiġifieri il-Kelma ta’ Alla, l-Ewkaristija u l-komunita’. Permezz tal-laqgħat l-persuna tkun tista’ tagħmel mixja ta’ fidi li għandha twassalha biex tibni relazzjoni ma’ Alla.

Ritratti

As announced earlier, this year the Seminary has taken the initiative to organize meetings with a pastoral orientation. These meetings form part of the seminarians’ formation and aim at helping the seminarians to get to be better acquainted with the various groups and societies in the Diocese and with the pastoral work being carried out.

On Wednesday 23^rd October, Mr Alfred Grech, member of the Legion of Mary, addressed the first meeting.  Mr Grech talked to the community about the origins and history of this organisation and about the reasons why the Legion was set up in Gozo as well.  He talked also about the formation that the members of the Legion of Mary receive and about the work which this organisation performs both in Gozo and abroad.  He emphasised the role that priests and seminarians can have in this organisation.  He invited the seminarians to get to know the Legion better and to participate, if they so wished, in one of the Pellegrinazio pro Cristo that the Legion of Mary will be organising next Summer.

On Wednesday 6^th November, it was the turn of Mr Antoine Vassallo, President of the Gozo Catholic Action Movement, to address the community of the Seminary.  He talked about the origins of this movement in Italy and about how the movement came to Gozo.  He referred to the close links that exist between the Major Seminary and the Catholic Action Movement.  In fact, the first meetings of the movement used to be held at the Seminary.  He defined the Catholic Action Movement as a movement of apostleship of the laity that teaches its members to work hand in hand with the Bishop and the parish priests in the parishes and in the Diocese.  The work carried out by the members of the movement includes support to the aged and the teaching of cathecism.  Lately, the Bishop has encouraged the members to approach and support people who feel that they are being rejected by the Church.

Then, on Wednesday, 4^th December, the community was addressed by Joe and Giovanna Rapa, members of the Komunità tal-Mixja Neokatekumenali.  They talked about the origins of their community back to in the sixties.  The community was founded in Madrid by a person who was seeking faith. They talked also about how the movement evolved and the aims behind the meetings they hold.  These meetings focus on the three pillars on which the movement is founded, mainly the Word of God, the Holy Eucharist and the community.  Through these meetings, a person can start his walk of faith that will lead him to build a relationship with God.

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Nhar is-Sibt 30 ta’ Novembru filgħaxija Mons. Isqof Mario Grech, ingħaqdu mal-komunità tas-Seminarju għall-ftuħ tal-wirja Redemptione li qed tittella’ fl-okkażjoni tal-festa tal-Kunċizzjoni ċċelebrata fit-8 ta’ Diċembru.  Din ġiet organizzata mill-Kummissjoni Djoċesana tal-Arti Sagra f’kollaborazzjoni mas-Seminarju tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù.

Fil-ftuħ tal-wirja Fr Daniel Xerri, ir-Rettur tas-Seminarju, wera l-aprezzament għax-xogħol li sar u kif għal darba oħra din il-wirja qed titella’ fis-sala tas-Seminarju. Huwa qal li f’dawn ix-xogħlijiet wieħed jista’ jimmedita fuq figura hekk importanti għalina – il-figura ta’ Marija.

Din il-wirja teħodna fuq misteru hekk kbir: it-tnissil mingħajr tebgħa ta’ Marija. Ir-rettur qal li dan ikompli jurina kemm hi importanti Marija fil-ħajaj tal-bniedem u għandha tkun il-mudell tagħna. Fl-aħħar Fr Daniel irringrazzja lil dawk li għenu bix din il-wirja setgħet tkun possibli fosthom l-Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju.

Imbagħad, Joe Camilleri għamel analiżi tal-biċċiet esibiti.  Mons. Isqof għalaq billi stqarr li l-arti tista’ tkun mezz tajjeb ħafna biex issir l-evanġelizzazzjoni waqt li rringrazzja lil kull min ħadem biex tittella din il-wirja.

Il-Wirja Mater Immacolta tibqa’ miftuħa sal-Ħadd 8 ta’ Diċembru, festa tal-Kunċizzjoni.

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On Saturday evening, 30th November, Bishop Mario Grech joined the community of the Seminary in the inauguration of the exhibition Mater Immacolata  which is being held  on   the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on the 8th December.  The exhibition is being held by the Diocesan Commission of Sacred Art, in collaboration with the Sacred Heart Seminary.

In his opening speech, Fr Daniel Xerri, Rector of the Seminary, showed his appreciation for the preparatory work that had been done and for the fact that, for the umpteenth time, this exhibition is being held at the Seminary.  He said that, through these works of art, one can meditate a figure that is so important to us – the figure of the Holy Mother.

This exhibition takes us back to a great mystery: the Immaculate Conception of Mary.  This mystery reinforces the importance of Mary in the life of man and Mary should be a model to all of us.  Fr Daniel thanked the organizers and helpers, among whom the Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, who made this exhibition possible.

Then, Mr Joe Camilleri gave a critical analysis of the exhibited works.  Bishop Grech concluded the evening by a short address in which he said that art can be a good means of evangelisation.  He too, thanked all those who had helped in this exhibition.

The exhibition Mater Immacolata will be open up to Sunday, 8th December, feast of the Holy Conception.

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F’rabta mat-tema magħżula għal din is-sena ‘Hawn hi Ommok”, nhar is-Sibt, 30 ta’ Novembru, ġiet organizzata laqgħa ta’ formazzjoni li tmexxiet minn Fr. Ray Toledo bħala parti mill-preparazzjoni għall-att ta’ Konsagrazzjoni lill-Madonna.

Waqt din il-laqgħa, Fr. Ray għamel referenzi għall-Ktieb ta’ San Luigi Maria de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, ktieb li din is-sena qiegħed jakkumpanja lill-komunita’ qat il-qari spiritwali ta’ kull nhar ta’ Ġimgħa.

F’din il-laqgħa Fr. Ray tkellem dwar l-importanza tal-figura ta’ Marija speċjalment fil-ħajja tas-Saċerdot għax bħalma kienet Marija li preparat u akkumpanjat lil Ġesu’ fil-missjoni tiegħu, hekk ukoll trid tkun Marija li tipprepara u takkumpanja lil kull Saċerdot fil-ħidma tiegħu għall-ġid tal-Knisja.

Marija hi wkoll t-triq li permezz tagħha l-bniedem jista’ jasal għand binha Ġesu’ u dan jidher b’mod speċjali fir-rakkont tat-tieġ ta’ Kana, fejn l-aħħar kelmiet ta’ Marija lill-qaddejja jkunu: “Għamlu kull ma’ jgħidilkom Hu”.

Fr. Ray tkellem ukoll dwar l-importanza tat-talba tar-Rużarju bħala talba ma’ Marija li tmexxina qalb l-episodji l-iktar importanti fl-istorja tas-salvazzjoni.

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On Saturday, 30^th November, Fr Ray Toledo led a meeting of formation in relation with the theme chosen for this year: “Here is your Mother”.  This meeting formed part of the preparation for the Act of Consegration to the Holy Mother.

During the meeting, Fr Ray referred to the book of San Luigi Maria de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, extracts from which  are being read this year, during sessions of spiritual readings held every Friday.

Fr Ray talked about the importance of the figure of Mary, especially in the life of the priest.  As Mary prepared and accompanied Jesus in his mission, so does she prepare and accompany every priest in his mission for the benefit of the Church.

Mary is also the way which leads man to her son Jesus. This is clearly shown in the episode of the marriage at Cana, where Mary’s last words to the servants were: “Do whatever he asks you to do”.

Fr Ray talked also about the importance of the Rosary as a prayer with Mary.  The Rosary leads through the most important episodes in the story of salvation.

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“Il-ħsad huwa kbir, iżda l-ħaddiema ftit. Itolbu mela lil Sid il-ħsad biex jibgħat ħaddierma għall-ħsad tiegħu.” (Mt 9, 37-38). Kien b’dan il-ħsieb f’moħħna, meħud mill-Evanġelju skont San Mattew, li l-komunità tas-Seminarju għexet l-esperjenza tal-ġimgħa vokazzjonali li ġiet orġanizzata fil-Parroċċa tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni u San Ġuzepp, fir-raħal tal-Qala.

Wara l-esperjenza ta’ Fidi li l-komunità tas-Seminarju għamlet is-sena l-oħra fil-Parroċċa tal-Għasri, din is-sena l-komunità  tas-Seminarju kienet mistiedna sabiex matul il-ġimgħa ta’ bejn il-15 u t-22 ta’ Novembru tagħmel esperjenza oħra fejn din id-darba tiffoka b’mod partikulari fuq il-Vokazzjonijiet speċjalment il-vokazzjonijiet saċerdotali u ta’ ħajja kkonsagrata.

Prinċipalment l-esperjenza kienet tikkonsisti f’mumenti ta’ talb komunitarju, kif ukoll fiż-żjajjar tal-familji fid-djar tagħhom. Matul din il-ġimgħa, l-esperjenza kienet ukoll imsieħba miċ-ċelebrazzjoni ta’ kuljum tal-Quddiesa minn wieħed mis-superjuri tas-Seminarju kif ukoll minn ħin ta’ Adorazzjoni quddiem Ġesu’ Sagramentat waqt li s-seminaristi jkunu qed jagħmlu ż-żjajjar fid-djar.

Din l-esperjenza fetħet b’quddiesa nħar il-Ġimgħa, 15 ta’ Novembru fil-Knisja Parrokjali ċċelebrata mir-Rettur tas-Seminarju Dun Daniel Xerri flimkien mas-superjuri tas-Seminarju u l-Arċipriet u s-saċerdoti li jaqdu l-ministeru tagħhom f’din il-Parroċċa.

Imbagħad s-seminaristi matul il-ġimgħa kellhom l-opportunita’ li jiltaqgħu ma’ numru sabieħ ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ f’laqgħat li ġew orġanizzati għalihom. Fost dawn ta’ min isemmi l-laqgħat b’temi vokazzjonali li s-seminaristi mexxew fiċ-ċentri tad-duttrina għat-tfal, laqgħat fejn deher ukoll l-interess tat-tfal li jsiru jafu aktar dwar x’inhi l-vokazzjoni, u kif wieħed jista’ jagħraf is-sejħa tiegħu. Ma’ dawn wieħed irid ukoll isemmi l-laqgħa sabiħa li kellna fl-iskola primarja tar-raħal, fejn kellna l-opportunita’ li nidħlu fil-klassijiet tal-iskola u niltaqgħu mal-istaff u l-istudenti.

Aspett importanti ta’ din l-esperjenza kienet iż-żjajjar tas-seminaristi fid-djar. Minħabba d-daqs tal-Parroċċa, matul din is-sena, ż-żjajjar saru lill-familji fejn joqogħdu l-adoloxxenti u ż-żgħażagħ. Li tidħol f’dar ta’ familja partikulari u ssib akkoljenza tajba li tgħinek tibni konversazzjoni, hi diġa esperjenza sabiħa. Matul dawn iż-żjajjar s-seminaristi kellhom ċ-ċans li waqt li jsiru jafu xi ftit lil dawn il-familji, jitkellmu magħhom dwar il-vokazzjonijiet, waqt li ma jonqosx li jaqsmu magħhom ukoll is-sejħa tal-vokazzjoni tagħhom. Ta’ min jgħid li kien hemm żgħażagħ li wrer interess partikulari u għalhekk ma naqsitx l-istedina min-naħa tas-seminaristi, sabiex jkomplu jfittxu aktar fil-fond dwar is-sejħa tagħhom.

Din l-esperjenza kienet waħda ta’ ġid mhux biss għall-Parroċċa tal-Qala imma wkoll għall-komunità tas-Seminarju għax waqt li kienet mument ta’ promozzjoni vokazzjonali, kienet ukoll esperjenza li għenet lill-komunità  tidħol fir-realta’ tal-ħajja pastorali u tara xi ftit iżjed mill-qrib ir-realta li fiha qed tgħix il-Knisja llum.

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“The harvest is good, but labourers are scarce.  Beg the harvest master to send out labourers to gather his harvest.” (Mt 9, 37-38).  This extract taken from the St Matthew’s Gospel accompanied the community of the Seminary during Vocations Week held in Qala,  at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph.

Following last year’s similar experience at Għasri Parish, the community of the Seminary was invited to renew this experience from the 15^th to the 22^nd November.  This year, the focus was on vocations, especially for priesthood and for a consecrated life.

The experience consisted mainly of moments of communal prayer and of home visits.  It included also a daily Mass, said by one of the superiors of the Seminary, and moments of Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. In the meantime, the seminarians were engaged on home visits.

The week started on Friday 15^th November, with Mass celebrated in the parish church by the Rev. Rector Fr Daniel Xerri.  Fr Xerri was accompanied by the superiors of the Seminary and the Archpriest and priests serving at the same parish.

During the week, the seminarians had the opportunity of addressing a number of children and youths during meetings held for the occasion.  These meetings focused on vocations.  They were held in centres where religion lessons are delivered.  The children were interested in learning about the meaning of ‘vocation’ and how a person can understand his or her call.

The home visits by the seminarians played an important part in this experience.  Due to the great number of families living at Qala, these visits were paid mainly to families with adolescents and youths.  Paying a visit to a household and receiving a welcome which helps you to start a conversation are in themselves a wonderful experience.  During these home visits, the seminarians had the opportunity of getting to know the family and talking about vocations, particularly about their own call for priesthood.  There were some youths who showed interest in the call for priesthood and the seminarians encouraged them to discern their call.

This pastoral experience was beneficial to both the community of the Seminary and the Qala Parish since, besides serving to promote vocations, it helped the community to become familiar with the realities of pastoral life and to come closer to the realities through which the Church is passing in our time.

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