During this year, our sisters the Augustinian Nuns, Servants of Jesus and Mary, are celebrating their 125th year since they arrived in Malta and, therefore, 125 years of tireless work in our islands. The first Augustinian sisters came to Malta from Italy in August 1894 and they founded a community in Qormi where they opened a school for small children.

The mission of the Augustinian Sisters is built on the formation and education of children and youths. Their founder, Sister Maria Teresa Spinelli, brought together a number of girls who did not have access to education in Frosinone, Italy. Eventually, she opened the first public school. Right from the start, she expressed her wish that the congregation is built on Augustinian spirituality. This led to a lasting link with the Order of St Augustine.

This was the start of many years of hard work; not only in Italy and Malta, but in several other countries around the globe. The Maltese sisters, numbering about a hundred, offer an invaluable contribution to the Congregation.

A number of celebrations are being held to mark the occasion. Last Sunday, a day of activities was held starting with Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Malta. It was a day aimed at bringing together the nuns with so many collaborators, present students and former students who received so much from the work of the sisters.

On behalf of the friars of our Province, we would like to wish our Sisters all the best wishes for the future as they continue their work in the field of the Lord and within our Augustinian family.