For the third consecutive year the President of Malta H.E. George Abela and his wife Marguerite Abela together with his delegation has visited the Franciscan Friars in Pimlico London on the 7th of November. This has become a yearly appointment during this time the president visits the Maltese patients who are receiving treatment in various hospitals in and around London. The President also makes it a point to meet those who are involved in caring for the sick. The President of Malta has shown his gratitude and praised the work being done with such dedication and love.
Ever since 1952 the Maltese Franciscan Province of St. Paul the Apostle has been catering for the pastoral needs of Migrants and their families in the United Kingdom.
The MALTESE CATHOLIC CENTRE was founded in 1957. Now it is known by the name THE MALTESE MISSION
Prior to 1993 The Malta Catholic Centre, as it was known then was in Victoria London with a Resident MALTESE CHAPLAIN. In 1993 , the Maltese Mission, as it is called now, was moved to 1 Balniel Gate, Pimlico – London SW1V 3SD UK.
Present Chaplain is Friar Charles Michael Grech o.f.m.
Assistant Chaplain Friar Stephen Magro o.f.m.
Our Mission Statement
FRANCISCAN COMMUNITY LIVING :”In the name of the Lord begins the life of the Friars Minor. The Rule and life of the Friars Minor is this, namely, to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without property, and in chastity.” Our first mission is witnessing to our fraternity in the spirit of our rule of life. As fragile humans we continue to listen in such a way as to discern the call of Christ to follow him in the simple way of Gospel discipleship. This is the source of our presence here in London. Our first ministry is to each other as brothers in Christ.
OUTREACH PROGRAMME: We reach out to those around us in the spirit of an unbroken presence in England for over FIFTY years. This presence has been transformed throughout our history here of friars on their own or in friaries in Manchester, Cardiff and in London: Poplar Lane, Victoria and now Pimlico. The Maltese Friars have sought to reach out to the Maltese community resident in and visiting London. We continue to gather the Maltese for regular liturgies every Sunday at Puttinu Care in Sutton – Surry and on the second Sunday of each month at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Brixton. Celebrating our Faith and Heritage will give our Anglo-Maltese Community deeper sense of belonging and nourishment of our roots of origin that will make our life richer.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK : At present our primary ministry outside the friary is to the patients being sent by the Maltese government to London area hospitals for specialized treatment.
CHAPLAINS TO THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS : We are also deeply committed to ministry with our spiritual sisters in the tradition of Francis and Clare of Assisi, formally known as The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. They live in Victoria and through their hostel they offer shelter and comfort to these Maltese patients and their families during their hospital treatments in London. We are also available to the various communities of Maltese religious women who have a presence in the London area.