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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.

December is a special time of the year. It is a time when humankind reflects on the figure of Baby Jesus, born for its salvation. It is a special time for the Seminary community too. The building itself is donned with Christmas decorations and the daily program of events takes on a different schedule. During Advent, we had more communal prayers. Every day at 6.10 am we recited together the Office of Readings. At Mass, then, we had reflections on the Word of God by our formators. The seminarians conducted the reflections on the Novena days. The seminarians and formators decorated the building with images of Baby Jesus, the crib, the Christmas tree, and Christmas lights. Christmas time is associated with gifts. The seminarians and formators too exchanged gifts, which are appreciated not for their value but for what they represented: a sense of generosity on the part of an individual who is ready to give and expects nothing in return.

Wednesday 21st December was the final day of the first term at the Seminary. We concluded this first term by celebrating the Mass at 6.30 pm. This was led by the Bishop of Gozo H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma. Formators, sisters, and relatives of the seminarians participated in this celebration which was held in the Seminary chapel. At the end of the Mass, everyone exchanged his wishes for this festive season. Afterward, the seminarians started their Christmas holidays. They will return to the Seminary on Monday, 16th January 2023, to start their second term. We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

On Sunday 18th December, the Forth Sunday of Advent, seminarians Matthew Borg and Franklin Micallef, who are in their sixth year of formation, were conferred with the ministry of Acolyte by our bishop H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma. The conferral of this ministry took place during the 10.30am Holy Mass celebrated in the parish church of Kercem, which is dedicated to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St Gregory the Great. Matthew Borg hails from the parish of Xaghra dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgen Mary, while Franklin Micallef hails from the parish of Kercem. Various priests, including the formators of the Seminary, concelebrated. The celebration was also attended by relatives of the seminarians and people from the above-mentioned parish. Following the reading of the Gospel, the candidate was presented to the bishop. After the homily the bishop prayed upon the candidate and presented the chalice and paten to him, inviting him to live his life in a closer relationship with God and the Holy Eucharist.

Through the ministry of Acolyte, the seminarian lives a more profound discipleship of love to the Lord and service to the others. Apart from this the seminarian is able to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebration, distribute the Holy Eucharist to the faithful in church and to the sick at their homes, and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.

During Advent 2022 the Seminary community organised two activities for the altar boys and vocational groups of the Gozo diocese. The first activity took place on Saturday 9th December and catered for the altar boys between year 3 and year 9. The activity was inspired by the Diocese’s pastoral plan theme for Advent, The Word of God that became flesh. The group was divided into two subgroups according to the ages, and a reflection was carried out for each group, where the altar boys were given a reflection with a Christmas Spirit. The reflection was followed by some games.

On Tuesday 13th December another activity was held, this time for the altar boys between year 10 over. The theme was also of The Word of God that became flesh. A prayer meeting was held near the living quarters of the seminarians, where the importance of a Word which bring Peace was discussed. Then we had some time of Adoration led by the Vice Rector Fr. Samuel Grech, followed the the Vespers and Eucharistic Blessing. Afterwards dinner took place.  

On Thursday 8th December our community joined the rest of the Catholic Church in the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This is a special feast for our community since the chapel of our Seminary is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. In the morning we prayed the Invitatory and the Office of Readings. Afterwards we celebrated the Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in which Rector Can. Richard N. Farrugia, who led the Holy Mass, delivered a reflection about the day’s Solemnity. Lauds and the Veni Creator hymnwere sung after the Holy Mass. Then at noon, Mgr. Bishop Anthon Teuma led the Hora Media, for seminarians and a number of Lecturers, where he also delivered a reflection about the Immaculate Conception. Followed by the Eucharistic Benediction led by deacon Matthew Bajada. We concluded this moment by singing the antiphon “Beata Mater”. Afterwards a dinner for Lecturers was held at the Seminary Refectory. 

Nine students attending the diocesan vocations group aged between sixteen and eighteen years attended a Live-In held at our seminary between Wednesday 30 November to Saturday 3 December. During these days, they could explore and experience life within the Seminary by attending with the seminarians during prayer, pastoral experience, and recreational moments.

Last Saturday, 26th November 2022, 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, a seminarian lit the first Advent candle. The second started with the reading of the first verse of Salm 24, then a polisalm was sung. Afterwards, a Lectio was made on Salm 24 by the Rector Can. Richard N. Farrugia. 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 Thursday 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 Saturday, 12th November 2022, the Seminary hosted the traditional Saint Martin’s Dinner.  This dinner is the principal fundraising activity in aid of the Seminary and used to be hosted annually before the Covid-19 pandemic. After an absence of two years, this dinner was held at the Seminary Hall. Our whole-hearted thanks goes to the members of the Community of the Franciscan Sisters of the acred Heart of Jesus, present at the Seminary.  The nuns prepare the dinner with the help of many volunteers.  We would also like to thank the various shops and establishments for the gifts and gift vouchers they offered as prizes for the raffle held during the said dinner.  Finally, we would like to thank all those who attended the dinner.  It was an enjoyable evening for our guests who are always ready to give a helping hand to the Seminary.  

The 4th of November 2022 marks the 156th 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.