On Saturday, 16th January, the Gozitan priests met at the Seminary to exchange greetings. On this occasion, Bishop Grech exchanges greetings with the priests and delivers his message for the new year. In his address, which lasted about an hour and which focused on priesthood as the “ministry of mercy”, the bishop stressed the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is the priests themselves who have to believe in the power of this sacrament and cherish it, so that they then can attract penitents to God, who never tires of forgiving. The address concluded with a set of eight practical suggestions that can help intensify the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Jubilee of Mercy. He suggested that once a week the churches remain open till late so that the faithful can have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He recommended that priests be present in every parish to administer the sacrament and that a decent place where confidentiality and holiness, characteristics of this sacrament, can be safeguarded. The seminarians attended this activity.
