Last Saturday, 27th November 2021, the Church commenced a new liturgical year with the beginning of Advent. The Seminary community prepared for the starting of this liturgical season with the proclamation of Advent, held at the Seminary Chapel.
The celebration, which began at 11.30am, was divided into four parts. During the first part, the Word of God was enthroned on the altar and after the initial greeting and Advent proclamation by the celebrant, the Rector Can. Richard N. Farrugia, the first Advent candle was lit. The second part of the celebration was the Liturgical Lectio. This Lectio was about the First Preface of Advent. The third part consisted of a moment of reflection. The fourth and final part of the celebration consisted of the celebrant’s blessing on the community. During this Advent, particular moments will be added to the ordinary program. Before mass, at 6.10 am, the community will be meeting to pray the Office of Readings in the chapel. Also, during mass, the celebrant will be making a short reflection after reading the Gospel. The Christmas Novena will start on Tuesday 15th December. During this time of Advent, our community will be welcoming various vocational groups for a live-in and for activities related to this time of the year.
On Tuesday 23rd November 2021, a moral case study concerning the use of the COVID-19 vaccine was presented by seminarian Matthew Bajada. This moral case study was presented as part of the Moral Theology course entitled “The Value and Inviolability of Human Life”, whose lecturer is Can. George Frendo. First, the case was read, and it was about a couple who was convinced that the production of the vaccine against the COVID-19 pandemic contains cells that are taken from aborted foetuses. For this reason, the couple considered the production and use of this vaccine as immoral and gravely irresponsible, and therefore they were determined not to take it. Following the reading of the case, seminarian Matthew Bajada presented his paper as an answer. The biological clarification on the various types of the vaccine was the starting point of this paper. This was followed by presenting the proper context, which led to the objective discernment and a just ethical assessment of the couple’s conscientious objection. A detailed evaluation of the Church’s teaching regarding this subject was also given to form a solid base for answering this moral case study. Lastly, a proposal was given in order to help this couple in the formation of an objectively right conscience. This moral case study was attended by seminarians, formators, and priests from the Diocese of Gozo.
On Saturday 20th November 2021, a talk on public reading and speaking skills was held. Mr Peppi Azzopardi was invited to deliver the talk. Mr Azzopardi emphasised several skills that ameliorate the efficiency of delivering a speech and how to help the audience engage with the reader.
Every year during November, the Seminary community reflects on the spirituality of particular saints. The chosen theme for this year was St Dominic and priesthood, as this year marks the 800th anniversary of his death. Fr Christopher Caruana OP was invited to give two reflections on Friday 12th and Friday 19th November 2021. During the first reflection, Fr Christopher explained the historical context of St Dominic’s life and how the saint responded to the call of preaching to society. The second reflection focused on Dominican spirituality and its contribute to the priestly ministry, mainly contemplation and evangelisation.
On Wednesday 10th November 2021, a human formation meeting was organised on the theme of partisan politics in Malta. Dr George Vital Zammit, a lecturer in public policy at the University of Malta, was invited to conduct this meeting and to share with the Seminary community his reflection on this matter. During the meeting, Dr Vital Zammit exposed his thoughts on the current situation of the values present in the Maltese society and how they affect the country’s politics. The need to reform society’s conscience was remarked. A discussion on the Church’s role in social life was held at the final part of this meeting.
An annual activity held by the Seminary community is the Lungo Passeggio. As the name itself suggests, this activity is a long walk around the Gozitan countryside. A different route is chosen each year, this year being from Mġarr Harbour to Tal-Mixta Cave. The seminarians and two of the formators, namely the rector Can Richard N. Farrugia and the vice-rector Fr Samuel Grech, left the Seminary at around 8.15 am. After a short drive to Mġarr Harbour, the walk started at the area near Żewwieqa Bay. Then, the group proceeded to Ħondoq Bay and afterwards to St. Anthony’s Battery, taking a short break. After that, they continued walking to Daħlet Qorrot Bay and finally Tal-Mixta Cave. The walk took about four hours. Although it had been quite a rainy week, the morning’s weather was ideal. After a short moment of prayer and lunch, the Seminary community returned to the Seminary at around 1.15 pm.
The 4th of November 2021 marks the 155th anniversary of the inauguration of our Seminary. During all these years this building has housed many young men who answered the call of the Father and accepted to follow Him. On this day we pray God to continue blessing our diocese with more holy vocations and to help all the priests who have left this Seminary to continue with their mission of love. We also pray for the many benefactors that throughout the years have sustained our Seminary.
During the last week, the Liturgical and Missionary Group organised various activities in view of the World Mission Day celebrated on Sunday 23rd October 2021. The theme of this week was inspired by the phrase “You go, and do likewise” (Lk 10:37) from the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The Group wished to convey the message that in our times, we can encounter situations similar to that in the parable, and we are invited to act on the example of the good Samaritan.
This Mission Week started on Monday 18th October 2021. On this day, the community prayed for bishop George Bugeja OFM, a Gozitan missionary in Tripoli.
On Tuesday 19th October, the community prayed for Fr Mario Curmi, a Gozitan missionary in Guatemala. In the evening, the community had the opportunity to make a video call with Fr Mario. During this video call, Fr Mario shared his missionary experience of these last three years. He also talked about the difficulties encountered, especially during these times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fr Mario emphasised the beauty of giving tour life to evangelising the Gospel and spreading God’s love to the poor. Each member of the community had the opportunity to ask him questions.
On Wednesday 20th October, the Seminary community prayed for Fr Anton Grech, a Gozitan missionary in Guatemala. After dinner, the seminarians watched the film “The Letters”. This film is about Saint Teresa of Calcutta, an Albanian nun who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in India.
On Thursday 21th October, the Seminary community welcomed Fr Carmel Portelli to celebrate mass. Fr Carmel works in the Gozo Diocese’s Missionary Office. During the homily, Fr Carmel described the work done by the Missionary Office. During that day, the Seminary community prayed for Fr Raymond Portelli, a Gozitan missionary in Peru, who happens to be Fr Carmel’s brother.
On Friday 22nd October, the Seminary community prayed for Fr Victor Zammit MSSP, a Gozitan missionary in Peru. In the evening, a Eucharistic adoration with a missionary theme was held, for which the altar boys of Nadur, Qala and Għajnsielem parishes were invited.
On Saturday 23rd October, the Seminary community prayed for bishop Giovanni Cefai MSSP, a Gozitan missionary in Peru.
Apart from the activities mentioned above, a brief video prepared by the Liturgical and Missionary Group was sent to all the Gozitan secondary schools to deliver a message for this week. The activities for Mission Week came to an end during the weekend, where the seminarians continued to spread the message among the groups in the parishes where they are assigned for their pastoral work. Although this Mission Week was quite different due to the COVID-19 restrictions, its message was still delivered effectively.
Yesterday, 11th October 2021, John Xerri, who hails from the Corpus Christi parish church of Għasri, started his Propaedeutic Year experience in our Seminary. We welcome him among us with joy and pray for him in the beginning of his journey.
The summer holidays are over and the Seminary opened its doors again to welcome the Seminary community for a new year of formation. Although summer is a time of relaxation, the community made sure to meet once a month for a half-day retreat. These were led by the Rector Can Richard N. Farrugia and the Vice-Rector Rev. Samuel Grech, and were held at Manresa Retreat House in Victoria.
On Tuesday 21st September, Rector Can Richard N. Farrugia led the celebration of the Holy Mass with the participation of the seminarians. After Mass the seminarians shared their personal summer experience. On Wednesday 22nd September the community started a silent retreat which lasted till Sunday 26th September. Rev. Dr Martin Micallef OFM Cap led the retreat.
On Tuesday 28th October life at the Seminary came in tune with its day-to-day routine. The official academic year 2021-2021 started on Tuesday 5th October with a meeting for the academic staff and the celebration of the Mass. This was led by the Bishop of Gozo Msgr Anton Teuma. Formators, lecturers, sisters, and relatives of the seminarians participated in this celebration which was held in the Seminary chapel. At the end of the mass the Veni Creator was prayed as an invocation to the Holy Spirit in the beginning of this new formative year.
Each year the Seminary community goes on a silent spiritual retreat as a preparation for the coming year of formation. This year’s retreat was held at “Lunzjata” Retreat House in Rabat (Malta) between the 22nd and 26th of September. The preacher was Rev. Dr Martin Micallef OFM Cap. The seminarians were accompanied by the Rector Can Richard N. Farrugia and the Vice-Rector Rev. Samuel Grech.
Throughout the retreat Fr Martin shared with us several reflections from various Biblical texts. Fr Martin also empasized about the importance of living our discipleship united with God and others through love, listening, service and enthusiasm.
This retreat was a moment of grace as it helped our community to commence a new year united with God and each other in prayer.
Last Thursday, 26th of August, a thanksgiving mass was celebrated at the Seminary chapel on the 50th anniversary of Sr Giuseppina Farrugia’s religious profession. Sr Giuseppina, currently the Mother Superior of the community of Franciscan Sisters at the Seminary, has been giving her service in the Seminary for the past 34 years.
The mass was celebrated by H.L. Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, with the participation of the Seminary formators and other priests who in the past worked at the Seminary. Present as well were the seminarians, Sr Giuseppina’s family, and the employees and volunteers of the Seminary.
We would like to wholeheartedly thank Sr Giuseppina for her presence in our Seminary and for the love and dedication with which she does the work entrusted to her.
