The Community of the Seminary started another year of formation on Monday, 21st September. During the summer holidays, there were occasions when the members of the community met and shared moments of prayer. One such occasion was a half-day retreat, led by Fr Martin Cilia MSSP, at Manresa House on 11th August.
On Monday, 21st September, the seminarians gave a helping hand in the clean-up and preparation of the premises for the coming year of formation. The following morning, Tuesday 22nd September, we joined in the celebration of Mass and then shared our summer experiences of voluntary service in the community. We had our first meeting with Fr Giovanni Curmi, our pastoral mentor, who, during the year, is going to accompany us in our pastoral experiences in the parishes. That same afternoon, the community started its annual retreat at St Joseph Nuns’ Covent at Rabat, Malta. Mgr Anton Gouder led the retreat which ended on Saturday, 26th September.
On Wednesday, 30th September, Mgr Bishop Mario Grech celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which marked the beginning of the academic year. That day happened to be the feast day of St Jerome, and during his homily the Bishop shared with us some of St Jerome’s reflections. The saint describes the member of the clergy, the consecrated member, as a person who has to focus his life on God. The same saint, who translated the Sacred Scriptures from Greek to Latin, teaches us that “he who does not know the Scripures does not know Christ”. The Bishop encouraged the priests to embrace the Scriptures and to apply their teachings to modern times. Professors, relatives of seminarians and the members of Aħwa Ħbieb tas-Seminarju participated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They were later invited for refreshments.