The walk to Santiago

The Augustinian Youths group Malta is currently making preparations to undergo an experience in Spain as part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage planned for the upcoming Summer recess. This experience, typically known simply as “Camino de Santiago”, is an encounter of numerous pilgrims from all around the World who walk along various pilgrim routes which meet at the tomb of St. James (Santiago) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

This involves walking different routes of at least 100km in the form of a spiritual retreat, and for this reason the Augustinian Youths group is now undertaking various physical challenges as part of the preparations necessary to undertake such a journey. Training has recently involved several walks of approximately 15km around the island of Malta and along different routes with varying terrain and difficulty. Several other walks are planned along the way, effectively leading to the ultimate Camino experience which is intended as a 10-day journey along the Portuguese route during the month of August 2022.

This route, also known as the Coastal Way, is a quieter but equally impressive alternative route to the traditional central way of the Portuguese Camino. Our starting point will be the beautiful city of Porto and follows the Atlantic coastline and the sandy beaches of Northern Portugal and Galicia. The scope of undertaking these challenges in preparation for the Camino is not a competitive one, as the purpose stretches beyond the level of fitness of the person undertaking the journey. Whilst some pilgrims might take longer than other to make it to Santiago de Compostela, the challenge is merely a personal and spiritual one. However, physical preparation before our departure will be a massive benefit for the group along the way, reducing the chances of injuries and adding strength and stability training to keep our Maltese pilgrims steady.

The entire group is composed of around ten individuals from different walks of life, with distinct talents, abilities, interests and experiences, and together this gives us strength and hope to support one another mentally, physically and spiritually so that this experience will be fruitful towards one another, leaving a positive impact within the lives of everyone of us. 

This is one of the few activities being organized by Augustinian Youths. Various other activities such as discussions, hikes, moments of prayers, voluntary work etc... are offered to youths between 20 and 35yrs. If you are in this age bracket or know someone who would like to join Augustinian Youths, you can contact Fr Terence Spiteri osa on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through Augustinian Youths Facebook. 

Edward Abela

Wednesday, January 26, marked the 75th anniversary of the first Religious Profession of Fr. Mark Cauchi in the Order of St. Augustine. Father Mark, now 93, is a member of the Augustinian Community of Valletta.

Fr. Mark was born in Cospicua on July 5, 1928 and after his primary education in Cospicua he continued his secondary education at St. Aloysius College in Birkirkara. On January 20, 1946, he joined the Augustinian family starting his novitiate at St. Augustine's Priory, Victoria, Gozo. One year later, on January 26, 1947 (75 years ago), he made the Simple Profession of the Evangelical Councils in the Order of St. Augustine. He then continued his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. Mark's College in the Augustinian Priory in Rabat, Malta and on February 5, 1950 he made his Solemn Profession. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1952 at St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Father Mark also studied French at the University of Grenoble in France.

As a religious and priest he served in various communities in Malta and was also a teacher of Latin and French at St. Augustine's College and chaplain of St. Catherine's Monastery in Valletta. Abroad he worked mainly in the Augustinian mission in North Africa and later even in Sicily. Several times he also served at the Augustinian Monastery in Poschiavo in Switzerland. Over the years he has always had a great love for history, research and writing, so much so that he has written several articles and even published books usually of a historical nature.

We wish Fr. Mark good health and blessings from the Lord. Ad Multos Annos!

The Augustinian treatise, de catechizandis rudibus is considered to be one of great importance for the teaching of the principles of the Catholic Faith to beginners. Prof. Salvino Caruana OSA, Director of the Augustinian Institute (Malta), has translated the text into Maltese (200p.). In the words of a Dutch scholar in Augustinian texts and theology in Utrecht, Prof. Joost van Neer, Augustine’s effort to provide the deacon Deogratias with some flowing ideas on how to transmit the Catholic Faith to beginners: The result was this work, which can today still benefit all educators in the broadest sense of the term (Augustinus 61 (2021): 227).

The text was due to be read and analysed in a series of lectures during the second semester of academic year 2021-2022 at the Augustinian Institute. Unfortunately, however, due to increased cases of COVID-19, it was deemed safer to postpone the semester. Some 12 participants received the printed Augustinian text by post. To the rest the book was delivered by the Director personally in a visit to the participants. The book is on sale for €15.

Each participant in academic year 2021-2022 was given two texts: Waħda u Sħiħa hija l-Imħabba (10 Homilies of Augustine on First Letter of John to the Parthians) (283p.), and Itterraq fit-Twemmin ma’ S. Wistin (de catechizandis rudibus) (200p.), and the book My Pen’s Toil, as a gift. For further info re publications of Prof. S. Caruana, or other info, please kindly contact Prof. S. Caruana OSA Augustinian Institute PO Box 61 Msida PO MSD 1000; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; mob.: 7929 4177.

On Wednesday, January 26, the Augustinian friars gathered for a formation meeting, at which, the results of a questionnaire completed by the friars some months ago were presented.  This exercise forms part of the preparation for the Ordinary Provincial Chapter to be held next March and April.

The meeting, which took place at Saint Augustine College, Pietà, began with the prayers of the vespers. The Prior Provincial, Fr. Leslie Gatt then presented various points which emerged from the answers to the questionnaire and even shared some ideas in this regard. He emphasized the fact that the questionnaire was first and foremost an exercise intended to provoke reflection at the beginning of the preparation for the 2022 Ordinary Provincial Chapter. The questionnaire itself offered another space for everyone to express their thoughts and share what he feels important with the brethren. The questions provided both a reflection of appreciation for all that we are and have, and even a look at what we need to work on more. This sharing is in itself an experience of communion.

The meeting also served as an opening to the Visit of Renewal that the Prior Provincial will be holding in the different communities of the Province in the coming weeks before the Chapter. Your prayers during this journey towards the Provincial Chapter would be greatly appreciated.