On Friday evening, the 18th of September 2009, postulant Andrea Diacono together with the pre-postulants Clive Camilleri and Ramon Farrugia began their spiritual retreat in Montepaolo Hermitage, adjacent to the Franciscan convent in Gozo. This retreat, in preparation for the start of a new year of postulancy on the 29th of September, was organised by Fra Stephen Magro and Fr. George Bugeja.
After a warm welcome by the Fr. Guardian and the friars residing there, these young men had their first conference by Fra Stephen Magro on the importance of prayer and the necessity to search for frequent moments of prayer even in the early stages of the Franciscan formation. The next day they participated in another two conferences conducted by Fr George Bugeja in which they examined their personal relationship with God while the challenge of being ready to accept God’s will was highlighted. In the morning they also attended mass celebrated by Fr. George Bugeja in the chapel of the hermitage.
On Sunday morning, after mass, these young men paid a visit to a Gozitan woman of profound spirituality who manages to dedicate herself to continuous prayer. She encouraged them to foster an intimate bond with God ahead of daily temptations and difficulties. Late in the afternoon they attended their last conference centred on the significance of religious life in present times and were given some tips on how each one can contribute to a healthy fraternal environment. The retreat came to an end on Monday morning with mass and lauds with the Gozo fraternity. Throughout the retreat these young men joined the fraternity for moments of prayer, mealtime and recreation.
Clive Camilleri and Ramon Farrugia will be starting their postulancy on the 29th of September together with Andrea Diacono who will be starting his second year of postulancy. While recommending these young men to your prayers in the first stage of their Franciscan formation, may the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary be their constant guide in this new experience and may the Holy Spirit enlighten and encourage them throughout this year of spiritual discernment.