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On Sunday, 14 April, the Sunday before Vocation’s Sunday, the Seminary community organised Festa Abbatini, which has now become an annual event marked on the Gozitan calendar.

The event took place on the parvis of the National Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu and mainly aimed at all the altar boys and girls of the Gozitan Diocese and their families. Despite the weather not being favourable, the event was very well attended.

This year’s Festa Abbatini was themed on Abraham’s call. The Seminarians organised an introductory meeting divided into three interactive sections. Each section was placed at a different location of the sanctuary’s parvis and treated one of the following aspects: Abraham’s call, Abraham’s test, and the fulfilment of the promise made by God to Abraham. The altar boys and girls who attended were divided into three groups, and they visited each of the three sections by turn.

In the meantime, a catechesis was organised for all the parents who attended. Fr Joseph Bajada, the Rector of our Seminary, gave the catechesis that was also themed on Abraham’s call.

After both meetings were finished, both the altar boys and girls and their parents had the opportunity to enjoy different fun activities and food stalls. Members from the Diocese’s Family Commission were also present, offering a cup of coffee while doing an outreach with the parents present.

During the third and fourth weeks of this year’s Lent, the seminarians organised four Lenten meantings, to which the altar boys groups of our Diocese were invited. Several altar boys groups attended.

The meetings took place at the seminarians’ living quarters, and a special setup was prepared. Each meeting was divided into three parts. The first part consisted of reciting some psalms and prayers of intercession. The second part consisted of reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son, followed by a reflection that also referred to the Sacrament of Confession, as this year’s Diocesan Pastoral Plan focuses on this Sacrament. The Rector, the Vice-Rector, and the deacons Franklin Micallef and Matthew Borg gave the reflections. The last part consisted of a moment of adoration that concluded with the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

After the adorations, the altar boys had some time to explore the seminarians’ living quarters and were invited for supper with the seminarians. 

Last Sunday, 21January, the Sunday of the Word of God, sixth year seminarians Samuel Aquilina and Marlon Victor Bajada were instituted lectors by H.L. Mgr Anton Teuma Bishop of Gozo. The seminarians Samuel and Marlon hail from the Parish of St George Martyr in Victoria, and the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St Gregory the Great in Ta’ Kerċem, respectively.

The ceremony took place during a solemn mass celebrated at 8.30am in the Parish Church of the Shipwreck of St Paul in Munxar. After the homily, Bishop Teuma prayed upon the candidates and presented to them the Sacred Scripture. Several priests, including the Seminary formators concelebrated. The mass was attended by the newly-instituted lectors’ families and friends and members of the parish community of Munxar.

As readers and bearers of God’s word, the new lectors have been given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. It is their duty to proclaim this word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. They are also charged with bringing the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus, by their help, men and women will come to know God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.

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The month of December is synonymous with celebration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the time of Advent and Christmas the Church not only reflects on the coming of our Lord in the event of the incarnation, but also on his glorious coming at the end of time.

This season in the Church’s year is also a special time for the Seminary. The premises don many Christmas decorations. The community’s daily programme is slightly altered. During Advent, the seminarians and their formators meet in the Chapel earlier in the mornings, at 6.10am, to pray together the Office of Readings. Also, during this brief liturgical time the formators daily share a brief homily during mass. From the 15 December onwards, the community celebrated the Novena in preparation for Christmas. Each day during mass, one of the seminarians shared a reflection about different figures in the crib. This theme was the same one adopted by the Diocese of Gozo on the occasion of the 800 anniversary from when St Francis made the first crib in Greccio.

During advent the Seminary community also organised a vocational meeting for the altar servers above age 13. This moment of prayer and adoration took place on Tuesday 12 December. Those who attended were then invited to dinner at the Seminary. On Wednesday 20 December, the seminarians spent an afternoon together as a community at Manresa House in Victoria, doing a fraternal correction under the guidance of the spiritual director Rev. Tony Calleja SI.

The first term at the Seminary came to closure on the 22 December. In the evening, at 6.00p.m., H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, celebrated mass at the Seminary chapel, together with the formators, the seminarians and their families, the Franciscan sisters, and the members of the association ‘Aħwa-ħbieb tas-Seminarju’. After mass, all present gathered for a reception in the refectory to exchange their wishes for this festive season. Later in the evening, the seminarians went home with their families for two weeks of Christmas holidays. They will return back to the Seminary on Monday, 8 January 2024, to commence the second term.

On Friday 8 December, the Seminary community, together with the rest of the Universal Church, celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, which also happens to be the titular of the Seminary chapel. At 6.40am, the community gathered in the chapel to pray the Invitatory Psalm and the Office of Readings. Afterwards, a Solemn Mass presided by the Rector Rev. Joseph Bajada, assisted by the deacon Franklin Micallef, was celebrated. The deacon Franklin delivered the sermon. The mass was animated by the seminarians in Gregorian chant with the execution of the popular Missa de Angelis, the antiphon Tota Pulchra, and Ave Maria. At the end of the Mass, the antiphon Beata Mater, set to a musical arrangement widely attributed to Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella which is executed only in our Seminary, was sung.

At noon, the community gathered once again in the chapel to sing the Midday Prayers, presided by the deacon Franklin Micallef. At the end, the antiphon Beata Mater was again sung. Present also were H.E. Mons. Anton Teuma, members of the academic staff of the Seminary, and the Franciscan students currently studying at the Seminary. Afterwards all proceeded to the refectory for the festive luncheon.

In the evening, at six, the community gathered again in the chapel for a holy hour. After the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a period of personal reflection, the rosary was prayed. It was followed by the singing of the Second Vespers of the Solemnity, again presided by the deacon Franklin Micallef. After vespers, the Eucharistic benediction was given, and then, the antiphon Beata Mater was sung for the third and final time.

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Last week, the Seminary community made two vocational initiatives.

The first was an outreach at the Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth Form in Victoria, on Tuesday 28 of November. The seminarians were accompanied by the three students of the Order of the Friars Minor. During the third lesson, the seminarians and friars, divided in groups of two, had the opportunity to visit every class in the school and deliver a short vocational message to the students. Throughout the remainder of the morning, the seminarians and friars stayed near the school entrance and canteen to be able to encounter students and talk to them, whilst offering them tea, coffee, biscuits and pastries.

The second initiative, although vocational as well, was quite different. Students frequenting the 16+ Diocesan Vocational Group, were invited to stay for some days at the Seminary. The live-in started on Wednesday evening, till Saturday morning. During these days, the seven students had the opportunity to experience life at the Seminary, and together with the seminarians they had moments of prayer, pastoral activity, as well as recreation.

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Last Saturday, at noon, with the beginning of Advent, the Church commenced a new liturgical year. The Seminary community prepared for the start of this liturgical season with the Proclamation of Advent, held at the Seminary Chapel.

The celebration began at 11.00 am and was divided into two parts. During the first part, the Word of God was enthroned on the altar and after the celebrant’s initial greeting, the Rector Fr Joseph Bajada, two readings from the Bible were read. The first reading was taken from 2 Cor 12:5-10, from which the theme of this year is taken, and the second reading was taken from Mt 4:12-17. A reflection from Fr Joseph followed these readings.

The second part was the enthronement of the new icon representing this year’s theme: 2 Cor 12:9. The iconographer Nathaneal Thuema wrote this year’s icon. The celebration ended shortly after noon with the celebrant’s blessing on the community.

During this Advent, the Seminary community will follow a slightly different program than the rest of the year. 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 make a short reflection after reading the Gospel.

On Wednesday, 15th November, a thanksgiving mass was celebrated at the Seminary’s chapel to mark the end of Fr Richard-Nazareno Farrugia’s and Fr Samuel Grech’s ministry at the Seminary. The mass was attended by the members of the Formation Team, the Seminarians, the Seminary’s community of the Franciscan Sisters, and workers and helpers of the Seminary. At the end of the mass, the present rector, Fr Joseph Bajada, presented to both Fr Richard and Fr Samuel an appreciation gift for their work and dedication to our Seminary.

Following the mass, a dinner took place at Vine e Capricci. After dinner, the seminarians presented to both Fr Richard and Fr Samuel an album full of photos and memories from their years at the Seminary.

On the 14th of September, Fr Richard started his new ministry as the parish priest of the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady, Xagħra. He served in the Seminary as prefect of studies between 2013 and 2016, during which he was also the vice-rector for some months. From 2016 onwards he served as the Seminary’s Rector.

On the 14th of September, Fr Samuel was also given a new role as parochial vicar at the Parish of the Visitation, Għarb. He served as vice-rector in the Seminary during the years 2020-2023.

Last Saturday, on the 11th of November, the Seminary hosted the traditional fundraising dinner held on the occasion of the commemoration of Saint Martin, bishop of Tours. The dinner commenced at 7.00pm and was attended by 152 people, apart the many volunteers that helped in the preparations. A five-course meal was served: first a charcuterie plate, then some minestra, għaġin il-forn, pork loin with roasted vegetables, as well as a portion of the traditional St Martin’s cake accompanied by a serving of custard. Also, coffee and limoncello were served. During the dinner, volunteers from the association “Aħwa-ħbieb tas-Seminarju” organised a raffle with many spot prizes including vouchers, and other objects donated by several benefactors. After the dinner, the Rector Fr Joseph Bajada invited the guests to have a look around the Seminary and visit the quarters in which the seminarians reside.

The Seminary would like to thank all guests for their presence as well all volunteers who were involved in the organisation of this event. A special thanks goes to the community of the Franciscan Sisters at the Seminary for their many hours of dedicated service for the preparation of this dinner.

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For the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls, celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November, the Seminarians had a change of the daily routine, as no lectures took place.

On the night between the 31st of October and the 1st of November, the Seminarians, accompanied by the Rector and the Vice-Rector, made the yearly lungo passeggio. This year’s hike started from the Seminary in Victoria and finished at the Immaculate Conception’s Chapel in Qala, passing through the villages of Ta’ Sannat, Ix-Xewkija and Għajnsielem. During the last part of the hike, the Seminarians walked along the coast from Żewwieqa bay to Ħondoq bay. After the hike, each Seminarian went to his home.

On the 1st of November in the morning, all the Seminarians had some time off. In the evening, the Seminarians gathered again at the Seminary to pray the vespers and celebrate Mass on the solemnity of All Saints.

On Thursday, the 2nd of November, in the afternoon, the Seminary community celebrated Mass at Għarb’s parish cemetery. Mass was offered to the dead relatives of all the Seminarians. After the Mass, each Seminarian went to the parish where he is doing the pastoral experience.

Last week, the Liturgical and Missionary Group organised various activities in view of the World Mission Day, celebrated on Sunday, 23rd October 2020. The theme of this week was inspired by the phrase “Hearts on fire, feet on the move” based on the story of the disciples who encounter Jesus on their way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35), as commented by Pope Francis in this year’s World Mission Day message.

This Mission Week started on Monday, 16th October. On this day, the community prayed for Bishop Giovanni Cefai MSSP, who is a Gozitan missionary in Peru. After dinner, the seminarians watched “The Pope: Answers”, a face-to-face conversation between Pope Francis and ten young people from all over the world. The conversation was guided by the young people’s questions, conveying to the Pope the main concerns of their generation.

On Tuesday, the Seminary community prayed for bishop Joe Bonello OFM, who is a Gozitan missionary in Honduras. In the afternoon, the Seminarians visited the form 5 students of the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary. They shared with them a missionary-themed message, which included the sharing of missionary experiences in Guatemala and Albania done by some of the Seminarians in the past months.

On Wednesday, the prayers were dedicated to Bishop George Bugeja OFM, another Gozitan missionary, and his mission in Libya. Later that day, a video call with Bishop George. During this video call, Bishop George shared his missionary experience in Tripoli, where he emphasized the obsessive reality Christians face in such a fundamentalist and insecure country.

On Thursday, the Seminary community welcomed Fr Joseph Camilleri, a Gozitan missionary in Guatemala. Fr Joseph celebrated mass in the Spanish language, sharing his missionary experience. The community also made a prayer for his mission.

On Friday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Raymond Portelli and his mission in Peru, while on Saturday, the prayers were dedicated to Fr Anton Grech and his mission in Guatemala.

Apart from the above mentioned activities, the Liturgical and Missionary group prepared some missionary symbols that were placed in the chapel. Also, a social media publication about the World Mission Day was published during this week. 

On Monday 9th of October, two propaedeutic students were welcomed in the Seminary. The students are: Mark Attard from the Parish of St John the Baptist in Xewkija, and Simon Zammit from the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xagħra. As a part of their formation, the propaedeutic students do a part-time job in the morning, and receive the rest of their formation in the Seminary, in the evening. They also do pastoral work during the weekends. Mark has been assigned to the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Żebbuġ, while Simon has been assigned to the Parish of St George Martyr in Victoria. The two propaedeutic students are being accompanied by Can Anthony Bajada, the parish priest of the Parish of St Lawrence, who is also the incumbent director of the propaedeutic year.

The Seminary community welcomes with joy at the Seminary these two students and prays for them in the beginning of their journey of formation to discern their vocation.