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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.

On Thursday, 12th February, the Sacred Heart Institute of Theology organised a half-day seminar on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academia for its lecturers and students. The session was led by Fr Jean Gove, who offered an engaging and insightful exploration of the latest advances in AI and their growing relevance within the academic sphere.

Fr Gove highlighted how AI tools can enhance research, streamline administrative tasks, support personalised learning, and assist in data analysis. He emphasised that, when used responsibly, AI can serve as a valuable aid to both educators and students, fostering efficiency and innovation in teaching and scholarship.

At the same time, he addressed the potential threats AI poses to academic integrity, including issues of plagiarism, over-reliance on automated systems, and ethical concerns surrounding data use. The seminar concluded with a lively discussion, encouraging participants to adopt a balanced, informed approach to integrating AI into academic life.

The month of December is filled with the joy of celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, the Church reflects not only on the coming of the Lord in the mystery 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, where the premises reflect the joy in our hearts through the various Christmas decorations. The community’s daily programme is slightly altered during this period. Throughout Advent, the seminarians and their formators meet earlier in the chapel, at 6.10 a.m., to pray together the Office of Readings.

From 15 December onwards, the community celebrated the Novena in preparation for Christmas. Each day during Mass, one of the seminarians shared a reflection on the profound relationship between the Mystery of the Incarnation and the various journeys of hope undertaken by the protagonists of the Christmas story.

During Advent, the Seminary community organised a vocational live-in for members of the vocational group aged sixteen and over, which took place between 10 and 13 December. In addition, a vocational meeting was organised for altar servers above the age of thirteen and members of the vocational groups on 4 December. This moment of prayer and Eucharistic adoration was followed by a dinner at the Seminary for all those who attended.

The community shared their festive joy on Thursday, 18 December, when they had the opportunity to exchange greetings and gifts. The first term at the Seminary came to a close on 19 December. That evening, at 7.00 p.m., the Rector, Fr Joseph Bajada, celebrated Mass in 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 those present gathered in the refectory for a reception to exchange their wishes for the festive season.

Later in the evening, the seminarians returned home to spend two weeks of Christmas holidays with their families. They will return to the Seminary on Monday, 5 January 2026, to commence the second term.

On Monday, 8 December, the Seminary community joined the wider Universal Church in celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, the patroness of the Seminary chapel. A Solemn Mass was held in the chapel at 11:00 a.m., with the Rector, Rev. Joseph Bajada, presiding. The celebration concluded with the singing of the antiphon Beata Mater, performed to a musical setting traditionally attributed to Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella and uniquely preserved within the Seminary.

Following the Mass, Seminary lecturers and others involved in the formation of the seminarians assembled in the chapter room to pray Midday Prayer. Also in attendance were H.E. Mons. Anton Teuma and the Franciscan students currently studying at the Seminary. At the conclusion of the prayers, a token of appreciation was presented to Mr Joseph Bezzina in recognition of his service upon completing his role as Seminary administrator. The celebrations continued with a festive luncheon in the refectory.

On Thursday, 4D ecember, the seminarians organised 2 important activities held annually during the time of Advent.

In the morning we visited the Institute Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth Form, where we had an outreach. The seminarians, together with diocesan priests and religious from the Qaddejja taċ-Ċenaklu and the Minor Franciscans, visited every classroom to provide a small reflection about the importance of good decisions in life, the joy we all search in life and shared our vocational stories. Afterwards at the foyer students had time to chat over a cup of coffee and some biscuits.

In the evening all altar servers in Gozo, of age 13 or older were invited to the Seminary. The meeting started at 7.00pm in the Seminary Hall and was attended by around 60 adolescents.

The theme for this meeting was ‘Peace on earth’. The message delivered was based on the peace we are called to live in with those closest to us. The meeting was concluded in the chapel where the altar servers had a half an hour of adoration with the seminarians, during which they prayed the Vespers together. After the prayers were concluded with the Eucharistic Benediction, all proceeded to the hall once again, to eat together and for a moment of fraternity.

On Sunday, 30 November, the First Sunday of Advent, seventh-year seminarians Anthony Joe Borg and Fabio Cini were instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte by the diocesan bishop, H.E. Mgr Anton Teuma.

The Mass with the rite of institution was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xagħra. Anthony Joe is a native of the Xagħra parish, while Fabio comes from the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady in Żebbuġ. After the proclamation of the Gospel, the Rector, Fr Joseph Bajada, formally presented the candidates to the Bishop. Following the homily, Bishop Teuma prayed over the seminarians and handed them the chalice and paten, encouraging them to deepen their relationship with God.

Several priests concelebrated with the Bishop, including Seminary formators and clergy from the parishes of the new acolytes. The Franciscan Sisters of the Seminary, along with the seminarians’ families, friends, and parishioners, were also present.

Through the Ministry of Acolyte, seminarians are called to grow in discipleship, love of the Lord, and service to others. The ministry entrusts them with assisting priests and deacons during liturgical celebrations, distributing the Holy Eucharist both in church and to the sick at home, and exposing the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.

Last Saturday at noon, the Church marked the beginning of a new liturgical year with the start of Advent. The Seminary community celebrated this occasion with the Proclamation of Advent, held at the Seminary Chapel.

The celebration, which began at 11:00 a.m., was divided into two parts. The first part focused on the enthronement of the Word of God on the altar. Following an opening greeting by the celebrant, Rector Fr. Joseph Bajada, a reading from the Second Letter of Peter 3,18-50 and various parts from the Psalter were read. The passage from Matthew 13,47-50 was proclaimed. Fr. Joseph then delivered a reflection on this gospel, applied to our ongoing formation in the Seminary.

The second part featured the enthronement of a new icon inspired by this year’s theme, drawn from Luke 5,10. This icon, written created by the Centre for Liturgical Art – Eikon, was officially unveiled and blessed during the ceremony. An explanation followed by Fr. Roberto Gauci. The celebration concluded shortly after noon with the celebrant’s blessing upon the community.

Throughout Advent, the Seminary community will follow a modified schedule. Each morning before Mass, at 6:10 a.m., the community will gather in the chapel to pray the Office of Readings. During Mass, the celebrant will also offer a brief reflection following the Gospel reading.