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On Monday 28 September, a new year of formation began at the Major Seminary, together with a new academic year at the recently established Sacred Heart Theological Institute.

On this occasion, His Excellency Bishop Anton Teuma presided over a concelebrated Mass, during which special prayers were offered to the Holy Spirit for the year ahead. The seminarians’ families, the Friends of the Seminary, lecturers, and students of the Theological Institute were invited to attend the celebration.

In his homily, Bishop Anton emphasised the importance of love and service, a call addressed not only to all Christians, “but especially to those who accept the Lord’s call to follow him.” This was reflected in the First Reading, which recounted the story of Job and his steadfast faithfulness to God.

At the end of the Mass, the Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Formation Team of the Seminary, which meets every week to discern and accompany the formation of the seminarians. He offered particular thanks to Fr Gabriel Gauci, who has concluded his ministry as Vice-Rector, and welcomed Fr Michael Grima as he begins this ministry.

The Bishop also expressed his gratitude to all the Seminary’s material and spiritual benefactors, particularly the community of Franciscan Sisters serving within the Seminary, the volunteers, and the Friends of the Seminary. He addressed words of encouragement to the seminarians’ families, thanking them for offering their sons in the service of the Church.

Finally, he entrusted the five seminarians who will form part of the Seminary community this year to the protection and intercession of Our Mother Mary and the saints. He encouraged them to remain steadfast on the path to which the Lord is calling them—a journey that requires many sacrifices, but which is also a truly beautiful one.

From Monday 21 September to Saturday 26 September 2026, the community of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary held its annual retreat at the beginning of the academic and formation year, together with the community of the Seminary of the Archdiocese of Malta, at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Rabat, Malta. The retreat was led by Fr Mark Grima MSSP, whose reflections focused on discipleship in the Gospel according to St Mark.

On Friday, 19 June, Anthony Joe Borg (from the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Xagħra) and Fabio Cini (from the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, Żebbuġ) were ordained deacons by Bishop Anton Teuma, assisted by Bishop George Bugeja, during a Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Victoria at 6:30 p.m. Numerous priests, members of the Seminary community, altar boys, and faithful from various parishes attended this important event in the lives of these two new deacons.
The Seminary community joins the rest of the Church in Gozo in extending its heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Anthony Joe Borg and Rev. Fabio Cini on this day. Ad multos annos!

Photos: © XIK Pictures

On 17 June, the Seminary community gathered to mark the conclusion of another formative year with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Anton Teuma. Joining the celebration were the formators, seminarians, professors, sisters, staff members, volunteers, the Aħwa-Ħbieb tas-Seminarju, and the seminarians’ families.

During the concelebrated Mass, prayers were offered for the benefactors who passed away during the year. The community also expressed its gratitude to Monsignor Joseph Bezzina and Monsignor Anton Borg for their many years of dedicated service as professors at the Seminary, as both concluded their ministry in this role during the current academic year.

As the Seminary gives thanks to God for the many graces received throughout the year, it also extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported its mission through their work, generosity, and prayers. Their continued commitment remains an invaluable contribution to the life and formation of the community.

On 13th May 2026, a moral case study regarding work within the iGaming industry was held at the Seminary Conference Room led by Rev. Fr. Joseph Hili. The case study was attended by students of the Sacred Heart Theological Institute, several formators, lecturers, and other members of the clergy. It focused on the moral implications surrounding employment in industries connected with gambling and digital gaming services.

The case concerned, a 31-year-old IT engineer from Gozo and simultaneously a practicing Catholic actively involved in his parish community. After years working in a small company with an average salary, he received a highly attractive offer from a major Malta-based iGaming company. The position offered double his current salary, health insurance, annual bonuses, and hybrid working conditions. The engineer’s role would be purely technical, focusing on IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, without direct involvement in gambling operations or interaction with users.

Despite the professional advantages, he remained morally troubled. Although iGaming is legal and regulated in Malta, he was conscious of the social harm associated with online gambling, including addiction, debt, and family breakdown. His concerns deepened after learning that the company had previously been investigated for aggressive marketing practices targeting vulnerable people. While his fiancée expressed reservations regarding the social impact of the industry, the engineer’s father argued that technical role did not directly contribute to gambling itself. Seeking clarity, he consulted his parish priest asking whether he could accept such employment with a clear conscience.

After outlining the case, the presentation proceeded by examining the distinction between working “in” iGaming and working “for” the industry, particularly in relation to technical and indirect forms of cooperation. Attention was given to the Church’s moral tradition regarding cooperation in evil, distinguishing between formal and material cooperation, as well as proximate and remote forms of participation. The discussion also explored the relationship between civil legality and moral responsibility, emphasizing that the legality of an activity does not necessarily render it morally good.

Particular reference was made to the role of conscience, prudential judgment, and personal responsibility within complex economic realities. The presentation also reflected on the weight carried by financial obligations and family security when evaluating morally difficult employment decisions. Furthermore, the significance of the company’s prior investigation was discussed, especially concerning scandal, corporate ethics, and the moral implications of association with questionable practices even in the absence of legal condemnation.

The presentation revolved principally around two central themes: (1) the moral responsibility of Christians within professional and economic structures, and (2) the application of Catholic moral theology to contemporary industries and forms of remote cooperation. Special emphasis was placed on the formation of conscience and the pastoral role of priests when guiding individuals faced with ethically ambiguous professional situations.

Following the presentation, a brief discussion took place in which participants reflected on the practical, pastoral, and theological dimensions of the case study.

On Sunday, 3 May, the annual Festa Abbatini activity was organized by the seminarians on the parvis of Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary. This year’s theme focused on the figure of Saint Peter, the fisherman whom the Lord chose not only as His Apostle, but also as the rock upon which He would build His Church.

The seminarians were divided into three groups to explain in detail Jesus’ call to Peter to follow Him more closely (Luke 5:1–11), and how Jesus continues to make this same call to all of us today. At the same time, adoration was held beneath the Sanctuary, together with a special prayer for the parents of the altar servers led by Fr. Gabriel Gauci. Afterwards, there were various games, activities, and food for the altar servers and their families.

The season of Lent at our seminary is always a special time of reflection, renewal, and preparation. This year, the Lenten period was marked by a series of meaningful activities that helped us deepen our relationship with Christ and with one another.

Our Lenten journey began on 18^th February with the celebration of Ash Wednesday, held at the Cathedral and presided over by Bishop Anton Teuma. This solemn liturgy invited us to enter into the spirit of Lent with humility and openness to conversion.

Throughout the weeks that followed, we had various opportunities to encounter and accompany the residents of OASI. These meetings included talks by Mr. Noel Xerri on the realities and struggles of drug addiction, as well as moments of sharing between residents and seminarians. These encounters, together with other fraternal meetings, were enriching experiences that fostered empathy, understanding, and fraternity within our community.

During Lent, we also gathered for moments of prayer and pastoral outreach. On Thursday 12th March, we led the Way of the Cross at Ta’ Għammar Hill for the Form 2 students of the Minor Seminary, entering more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s passion. Additionally, on Tuesday 17th March, we celebrated Mass at Casa Giuseppe together with the elderly residents, sharing with them not only the Eucharist but also moments of closeness and joy.

Two evenings of Eucharistic Adoration were organised for altar servers aged 12 and over, held at the seminary on Tuesday 12^th and Tuesday 24^th March. These moments of prayer were followed by a time of fellowship, strengthening bonds through a shared meal.

On Thursday 26^th March, the community gathered once again at Ta’ Għammar Hill for the Way of the Cross in the morning, followed later in the day by a communal Mass. In the evening, we held a moment of fraternal correction together with a penitential celebration, offering an opportunity for reconciliation and spiritual growth.

Finally, from the evening of Sunday 29^th March until Wednesday 1st April, we participated in a Lenten retreat together with the Maltese seminarians. The retreat took place at Tal-Virtù Seminary and was led by Reverend Sandro Vella O. Carm. These days of prayer, silence, and reflection helped us prepare more intensely for the celebration of Holy Week.

As we now move forward into the Easter season, we carry with us the fruits of this Lenten journey—gratitude, compassion, and a renewed commitment to our calling.

During Lent, the Sacred Heart Major Seminary organised a special series of meetings focusing on addiction. These sessions were delivered in collaboration with the Oasi Foundation and aimed to deepen the seminarians’ understanding of addiction and the path to healing.

The series began with an introductory session on understanding addiction and the “twelve steps to healing,” led by Mr Noel Xerri, Chief Executive of the Oasi Foundation. This was followed by a visit to the Foundation premises, where the seminarians participated in a sharing session with the current residents and shared a meal with them.

In two reciprocal visits, the current clients of Oasi came to the seminary. During one of these encounters, an hour of prayer was held before the Blessed Sacrament. Another visit included the celebration of Mass by the Vice-Rector, during which a special homily on Zacchaeus was delivered, highlighting themes of life conversions and healing. On both occasions, dinner was shared in the seminary refectory, followed by a tour around the seminary premises.

The final meeting took place in the Seminary Conference Room, where two close relatives of individuals who in the past struggled with their addiction shared their personal experiences. Their testimonies offered valuable insight into the challenges faced by families, helping the seminarians to grow in awareness and equipping them to offer more compassionate and effective support in their future pastoral ministry, while also conveying a message of hope.

The Seminary Community marked the feast of St. Joseph on March 19 with a day of prayer and reflection.

Celebrations began in the morning with a solemn Mass presided over by the Rector, Fr. Joseph Bajada. During the liturgy, seminarian Fabio Cini delivered a reflection highlighting the virtues and example of St. Joseph. The community then gathered to pray Lauds following the Mass.

The day concluded in a spirit of quiet devotion, as seminarians participated in an hour of Eucharistic adoration in the evening, during which they also prayed Vespers. Afterwards, they went out together for supper, sharing a moment of fraternity and community life.

On Thursday 12th March, the Seminarians animated the Way of the Cross on Ta’ Għammar hill for the Form 2 students of the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary. This meaningful Lenten activity, now in its second consecutive year, invited students to reflect on the passion and sacrifice of Jesus through prayer, readings, and moments of silence at each station. Surrounded by the peaceful setting of Ta’ Għammar, the students were encouraged to deepen their spiritual journey during this important liturgical season. The initiative continues to strengthen the sense of community and faith among the seminarians and students.

On Friday, 20th and Saturday, 21st February 2026, all seminarians participated in a Human Formation Weekend held at the Ċentru Kristu Ragħaj tal‑Virtu, Rabat, Malta. Three formation sessions were led by Fr. Matthew Pulis.

The weekend focused on the theme of human formation in the context of contemporary digital culture and media literacy, reflecting on how technology, social networks, and modern media influence identity, relationships, spiritual and church life.

Through these sessions, the seminarians reflected on several topics such as the impact of social networks and digital communication on the church in our dioceses, the culture surrounding gaming and online communities, creation of new challenges of loneliness and confused identity in the digital age, and the importance of the church being present as a social community on these platforms as a pioneering font of interior freedom and spiritual awareness amid rapid technological change.

The sessions provided an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and pastoral discernment on how the church presently can better understand and accompany the communities living within today’s digital environment.