Last Thursday, 17th June 2021, a prayer vigil in preparation for the diaconal ordination of seminarian Gabriel Vella was held at the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph Parish Church in Qala. Although this prayer vigil is usually held at the Seminary, this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the venue had to be changed. To enable more people to follow the celebration, the vigil was also transmitted live on the social media of the Diocese.
The prayers, led by the Rector of the Seminary Can Richard-Nazzareno Farrugia, commenced at 8.00pm. The youth group of Qala Parish animated the celebration with music and singing. The vigil was divided into two main parts. The first part focused on the Word. It included hymns of praise to God and the saints, the proclamation of the Gospel, readings from the magisterium of Pope Francis, and a reflection by the Rector. The second part was a eucharistic celebration. After the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, seminarian Gabriel, kneeling before the Lord present in the Eucharist, made a prayer about his vocation. The evening of prayer concluded with the Eucharistic Benediction. In continuation with the vigil silent adoration was held at the Seminary during the night, between 10.00pm and 7.00am of the following morning. The diaconal ordination of seminarian Gabriel Vella took place in the evening of the 18th of June at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Victoria.
