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December is a special time of the year. It is a time when humankind reflects on the figure of Baby Jesus, born for its salvation. It is a special time for the Seminary community too. The building itself is donned with Christmas decorations and the daily programme of events takes on a different schedule. During Advent, we had more communal prayers. Every day at 6.10am we recited together the Office of Readings. At Mass, then, we had reflections on the Word of God by our formators. The seminarians conducted the reflections on the Novena days. The seminarians and formators decorated the building with images of Baby Jesus, the crib, the Christmas tree and Christmas lights. Christmas time is associated with gifts. The seminarians and formators too exchanged gifts, which are appreciated not for their value but for what they represented: a sense of generosity on the part of an individual who is ready to give and expects nothing in return.

Wednesday 22^nd December was the final day of the first term at the Seminary. We concluded this first term by celebrating the Mass at 6.00 pm. This was led by the Bishop of Gozo H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma. Formators, lecturers, sisters, and relatives of the seminarians participated in this celebration which was held in the Seminary chapel. At the end of the Mass, everyone exchanged his wishes for this festive season. Afterwards, the seminarians started their Christmas holidays. They will return to the Seminary on Monday, 10^th January 2022, to start their second term. We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

On Sunday 12^th December, the Third Sunday of Advent, seminarian Matthew Bajada, who is in his sixth year of formation, was conferred with the ministry of Acolyte by our bishop H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma. The conferral of this ministry took place during the 10.00am Holy Mass celebrated in the Collegiate Basilica of Għarb, which is dedicated to the Visitation of Our Lady. Matthew Bajada, the new acolyte, hails from this same parish. Various priests, including the formators of the Seminary, concelebrated. The celebration was also attended by relatives of the seminarian and people from the above-mentioned parish. Following the reading of the Gospel, the candidate was presented to the bishop. After the homily the bishop prayed upon the candidate and presented the chalice and paten to him, inviting him to live his life in a closer relationship with God and the Holy Eucharist.

Through the ministry of Acolyte, the seminarian lives a more profound discipleship of love to the Lord and service to the others. Apart from this the seminarian is able to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebration, distribute the Holy Eucharist to the faithful in church and to the sick at their homes, and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.

During Advent 2021 the Seminary community organised two activities for the altar boys and vocational groups of the Gozo diocese. The first activity took place on Tuesday 7^th December and catered for the altar boys of year 10 and above. The activity was inspired by the Diocese’s pastoral plan theme for Advent, the contrast of light and darkness. During the first part of the activity, a reflection on the Parable of the ten virgins was held. The group was divided into three subgroups, and each subgroup rotated at three different places of the Seminary. In each place, a reflection on a particular Parable aspect was held. Then dinner took place, followed by some games.

On Saturday 11^th December another activity was held, this time for the altar boys between year 3 and year 9. The theme of the contrast between light and darkness was also taken for this activity. The group was divided into two subgroups according to the ages, and a reflection was carried out for each group. Both reflections were based on the wise men’s search for baby Jesus. The reflection was followed by some games. The bishop of Gozo H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma payed a visit and shared a word with the altar boys during the activity.

On Wednesday 8^th December our community joined the rest of the Catholic Church in the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This is a special feast for our community since the chapel of our Seminary is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. In the morning we prayed the Invitatory and the Office of Readings. Afterwards we celebrated the Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in which Seminarian Matthew Bajada delivered a reflection about the day’s Solemnity. This Holy Mass was led by the Rector Can. Richard N. Farrugia. Lauds and the Veni Creator hymn were sung after the Holy Mass, and these were led by deacon Gabriel Vella. In the evening we continued the feast celebrations in our chapel, where we prayed the Holy Rosary and sang the Litany of Loreto and Vespers. These prayers were led by the vice-rector Fr Samuel Grech. We concluded this moment by singing the antiphon “Beata Mater” and afterwards we received the Eucharistic Benediction.

From Thursday 2^nd December till Saturday 4^th December 2021 the Seminary community organised, for the first time, a live-in for post-secondary students attending the diocese vocational group. Nine youths attended in total.

The live-in consisted of the unique opportunity to have an immersive experience of the Seminarians’ daily routine. During their stay at the Seminary the youths joined the Seminarians during the Holy Mass celebration at 6.30am, adoration moments, meditation on the Word of God, daily walks, and meals. During school hours each youth attended his respective school to sit for lectures. On Thursday evening a film night was organised accompanied by homemade crêpes while on Friday evening a football match took place.

Last Saturday, 27^th November 2021, the Church commenced a new liturgical year with the beginning of Advent. The Seminary community prepared for the starting of this liturgical season with the proclamation of Advent, held at the Seminary Chapel.

The celebration, which began at 11.30am, was divided into four parts. During the first part, the Word of God was enthroned on the altar and after the initial greeting and Advent proclamation by the celebrant, the Rector Can. Richard N. Farrugia, the first Advent candle was lit. The second part of the celebration was the Liturgical Lectio. This Lectio was about the First Preface of Advent. The third part consisted of a moment of reflection. The fourth and final part of the celebration consisted of the celebrant’s blessing on the community. During this Advent, particular moments will be added to the ordinary program. 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 be making a short reflection after reading the Gospel. The Christmas Novena will start on Tuesday 15^th December. During this time of Advent, our community will be welcoming various vocational groups for a live-in and for activities related to this time of the year.

On Tuesday 23^rd November 2021, a moral case study concerning the use of the COVID-19 vaccine was presented by seminarian Matthew Bajada. This moral case study was presented as part of the Moral Theology course entitled “The Value and Inviolability of Human Life”, whose lecturer is Can. George Frendo. First, the case was read, and it was about a couple who was convinced that the production of the vaccine against the COVID-19 pandemic contains cells that are taken from aborted foetuses. For this reason, the couple considered the production and use of this vaccine as immoral and gravely irresponsible, and therefore they were determined not to take it. Following the reading of the case, seminarian Matthew Bajada presented his paper as an answer. The biological clarification on the various types of the vaccine was the starting point of this paper. This was followed by presenting the proper context, which led to the objective discernment and a just ethical assessment of the couple’s conscientious objection. A detailed evaluation of the Church’s teaching regarding this subject was also given to form a solid base for answering this moral case study. Lastly, a proposal was given in order to help this couple in the formation of an objectively right conscience. This moral case study was attended by seminarians, formators, and priests from the Diocese of Gozo.

On Saturday 20^th November 2021, a talk on public reading and speaking skills was held. Mr Peppi Azzopardi was invited to deliver the talk. Mr Azzopardi emphasised several skills that ameliorate the efficiency of delivering a speech and how to help the audience engage with the reader.

Every year during November, the Seminary community reflects on the spirituality of particular saints. The chosen theme for this year was St Dominic and priesthood, as this year marks the 800^th anniversary of his death. Fr Christopher Caruana OP was invited to give two reflections on Friday 12^th and Friday 19^th November 2021. During the first reflection, Fr Christopher explained the historical context of St Dominic’s life and how the saint responded to the call of preaching to society. The second reflection focused on Dominican spirituality and its contribute to the priestly ministry, mainly contemplation and evangelisation.

On Wednesday 10^th November 2021, a human formation meeting was organised on the theme of partisan politics in Malta. Dr George Vital Zammit, a lecturer in public policy at the University of Malta, was invited to conduct this meeting and to share with the Seminary community his reflection on this matter. During the meeting, Dr Vital Zammit exposed his thoughts on the current situation of the values present in the Maltese society and how they affect the country’s politics. The need to reform society’s conscience was remarked. A discussion on the Church’s role in social life was held at the final part of this meeting.

An annual activity held by the Seminary community is the Lungo Passeggio. As the name itself suggests, this activity is a long walk around the Gozitan countryside. A different route is chosen each year, this year being from Mġarr Harbour to Tal-Mixta Cave. The seminarians and two of the formators, namely the rector Can Richard N. Farrugia and the vice-rector Fr Samuel Grech, left the Seminary at around 8.15 am. After a short drive to Mġarr Harbour, the walk started at the area near Żewwieqa Bay. Then, the group proceeded to Ħondoq Bay and afterwards to St. Anthony’s Battery, taking a short break. After that, they continued walking to Daħlet Qorrot Bay and finally Tal-Mixta Cave. The walk took about four hours. Although it had been quite a rainy week, the morning’s weather was ideal. After a short moment of prayer and lunch, the Seminary community returned to the Seminary at around 1.15 pm.

The 4^th of November 2021 marks the 155^th anniversary of the inauguration of our Seminary. During all these years this building has housed many young men who answered the call of the Father and accepted to follow Him. On this day we pray God to continue blessing our diocese with more holy vocations and to help all the priests who have left this Seminary to continue with their mission of love. We also pray for the many benefactors that throughout the years have sustained our Seminary.