Friday evening was an emotional one! This was when the new Bishop Mgr Paul Cremona OP was insalled as the New Archbishop of Malta. The Franciscan friars of the Maltese Province participated in the celebrations together with their fellow brother priests and religious.

Many friars were present during the vigil prayer on Thursday evening at the Cathedral in Mdina and also on Friday night at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta. The Solemn Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr. Felix del Blanco Prieto, Gozitan Bishop Mario Grech, Bishop George Frendo, and also the two Franciscan Bishops Mgr Sylvester Magro OFM and Mgr Giovanni Martinelli OFM who came for this special occasion, amongst others.

Friday Vigil prayer:
In the meantime other Franciscan friars gave their part in the celebrations. During the Friday Vigil Prayer, which was characterised by readings from the Gospel and afterwards a short explanation of the biblical passage, Fr. Marcello Ghirlando OFM gave his part in explaining a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke. Fr. Marcello also urged the new Bishop with words of courage and challenged for his new mission and on the importance of his motto: “Prepare the way for the Lord” and its importance in today’s society.

The alb for Mgr Paul Cremona:
On the other hand Fr. Anton Farrugia OFM was busy in the previous days making contacts with Archbishop Loris Capovilla, who was the private secretary of the Blessed John XXIII, in Loreto, Italy to bring a memento for the new Archbishop. Mgr Cremona has a great devotion and admiration for the pope, Blessed John XXIII . In fact with the help of Fr. Anton the alb that he used during the ordination was the one brought over by Fr. Anton and which was used by the Blessed John XXIII.

We as friars of the Maltese Franciscan Province would like to wish the new Archbishop AD MULTOS ANNOS.