Fr. Julian Sammut, OFM, will be joining Fr. Alexander Borg, OFM at St. Mary of the Angels Church, in Assisi, to help in the pastoral ministry with the pilgrims at the Porziuncola, especially with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Alexander has been there since the second week of July and will be returning to Malta by the end of August. While Fr. Julian will be staying there up to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, till the 4th October 2011.
On the 25th August 2011, the Poor Clares will begin a new presence on our sister Island, Gozo. The bishop of Gozo, Mgr. Mario Grech, will preside a Con-celebration at the Franciscan OFM Church of St. Anthony, in Ghajnsielem, marking the beginning the the poor Clare’s presence in Victoria. The Franciscan Family together will the Maltese Christian community are expected to attend on this happy occasion. We augur the Poor Clares a blessed beginning and fruitful presence in the Lord.
Fr. Ivo Tonna, OFM together with Fr. Tonin Vella OFM are celebrating their 60th priesthood anniversary. The Minister Provincial together with all the friars, their families, friends and the Christian community wish Fr. Ivo and Fr. Tonin MULTOS ANNOS.
The three Novices that are heading towards the end of their Novitiate in San Damiano, Assisi, will be celebrating their first temporary profession on the 5th September 2011, in our Franciscan Parish Church, Madonna tas-Sacro Cuor, Tas-Sliema. Fr. Clive, Fr. Ramon and Fr. Andrea will be arriving in Malta by the end of August. The Master of Novices, Fr. Massimo Reschiglian, OFM together with other friars of the Seraphic Province of Assisi are expected to attend the celebration. Fr. Aaron Abdilla, who came over from Rome after his first academic year in Philosophical Studies at the Antonianum University, will renew his vows in the same celebration held at Tas-Sliema. Mr. Gerald Xuereb will be also receiving the habit to begin his Novitiate Year in Assisi where he is expected to reach San Damiano, the day after.