On the 14th April on our return to Fekruna Bay we headed towards Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq for the formal opening of “Domus Pacis Franciscan Retirement Friary – Porziuncola” to mark the first centenary of the foundation of the Province. The small friary has been very beautifully transformed into a nursing home for our aged friars. Bro. Lorrie Zerafa ofm, the local superior, has been instrumental in making the place a most welcoming and comfortable home for our aged friars. He has the support of a very dedicated staff of qualifed care workers and housekeepers to help him, all very smart in their uniforms. Together they have transformed “Domus Pacis Franciscan Retirement Friary” literally into a home with all the necessary amenities which one would ...

To mark the end of the year long celebrations of the first centenary of the foundation of our Province, on the 14th April 1914, the brothers made a boat trip to the islands of St. Paul in St. Paul’s Bay. With a beautiful cloudless sky and a calm blue sea on a very warm day with a pleasant sea breeze, we left from Fekruna Bay at around 10.00 am and headed straight to the islands, a few minutes by boat. On the islands we enjoyed the scenery and the quiet and beautiful unspoilt surroundings. There we had a liturgical celebration at the foot of the statue of St. Paul in order to celebrate our Holy Rule and renewed the vows of our Solemn Profession, which had a special meaning this year being dedicated to the Consecrated Life. Afterwards, while refreshing ourselves with fresh fruits and ...

Cuortesy of Fr. Norbert Ellul Vincenti ofm who is providing once more these photos to share. In the first photo there is Fr. Joseph Benedict Xuereb ofm celebrating his Prima Messa. In the photo one can recognize Fr. Bernard Bartolo ofm, Fr. John Joseph Camilleri ofm, Fr. Charles Tonna ofm, Fr. Norbet Ellul Vincenti ofm, Fr. Gregory Imbroll ofm Fr. Anselm Chetcuti ofm and Fr. Alphons M. Galea ofm. The other photos depict Fr. Norbert ofm on stage and forming part of a football team. Incidentally he very conveniently doesn’t remember if he was on the winning or the loosing side. Must be the number of years gone by. Thank you once again for sharing with us these precious reminders of our past. Much appreciated.

Fr. Norbert Ellul Vincenti ofm has been most kind to share with us some more photos of years gone by. In the first photo taken on the 29th of September 1953 we see him with the late Fr. John Joseph Camilleri ofm. Next he sent us a photo of Fr. Odoric Grima ofm taken sometime in 1957. We have also a photo of a very young Fr. George Aquilina ofm in the company of his father and brother. The young lone footballer is none other than Fr. Norbert ofm himself. He is also seen in the next picture in the company of Fr. Marjanus Vella ofm, poet and Br. Berardus of. We  have also a picture of the football team of our province. The picture taken in 1951 amongst other shows Fr. Serafin Vella ofm, Fr. Joseph Benedict Xuereb ofm, Fr. Fortunatus ofm, Fr. Guzepp (Ottone) Micallef ofm, Fr. John Joseph ...

A few more photos from our past. In the group photo with Mons Michael Gonzi Archbishop of Malta, taken many years ago, one may recognise Fr. Angelicus Azzopardi, Fr. Julius Eynaud, Fr. Kamillu Aquilina, Fr. Beneditt Ellul Mercer, Fr. Andrew Cuschieri, Fr. Hugh Attard, Fr. Dominic Coppola, Fr. Francis Dingli, Fr. Joseph Vella, Fr. Anselmu Chetcuti amongst others. Also in the picture a very young Fr. Alfred Tabone who is still going strong thank God. The other photo is of Fr. Marjanus Vella caught off guard relaxing and the last photo is of a very young Fr. Alfred Sciberras in the foreground with Fr. Piju Micallef behind him. Reminiscing with some nostalgia of days gone by!