On Wednesday 7 June the Provincial Commission for the Laity organized the Festa Familja Agostinjana which has now become a long awaited annual activity by several lay people close to the Augustinian communities. In fact, around one hundred and twenty people took part in the activity, coming from the communities of Saint Nicholas in Tarxien, Saint Mark in Rabat, Santa Rita and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Saint Julians, and of Saint Augustine in Valletta.

The day on the island of Gozo started with a mass in the Church of Saint Augustine in Victoria, presided over by Bishop Giovanni Cefai MSSP who shared a few experiences of the missionary Church particularly in lands of great need. Following the mass there was a short presentation on the new adoration chapel that has just been inaugurated in the same priory. All those present then had the opportunity to visit the chapel before entering the priory for some refreshments. Later the group continued its’ day with lunch in Marsalforn. Late in the afternoon a stop was then made at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu for a short moment of prayer, after which the group continued on its way to the ferry.

These initiatives for the laity close to the Augustinian communities are moments that bring together several people who not only frequent our churches, but also support the work of the Augustinian friars in the various realities in which they serve. Above all, these are moments that help build positive relationships and strengthen the Augustinian identity.



On Sunday 21st May, the eve of the feast of Saint Rita, the Rev. Provincial Fr. Leslie Gatt O.S.A. blessed and inaugurated the renovation works done on the adoration chapel annexed to the Church and Priory of Saint Augustine in Victoria Gozo. In the same celebration, the Holy Sacrament was brought by procession into the new chapel where it was placed for adoration.

The project was led by artist Rev. Fr. Roberto Gauci of the Eikon Liturgical Art Center together with the Augustinian friars of the Gozo Priory who followed the work on the same chapel. The Chapel is actually characterized by a central mosaic flanked by two icons on the side walls. The main idea behind the chapel is outlined in the mosaic, which shows the image of the book of Apocalypse, where the saints worship the slain and glorious Lamb - an image of Jesus Christ who took death upon himself, rose again, and entered glorious in the Father's kingdom.

At the same time, the central part which serves as the throne of the Lamb, opens up and becomes the tabernacle for Eucharistic adoration, because what we now worship as being present in the sacramental species, is the same one that the saints contemplate in heaven. The Eucharist makes us taste from now on this earth what we will then experience in the Kingdom of God in heaven. Around the Lamb, along with Mary and Saint John the Baptist, there are a number of Augustinian saints, together with Saint Augustine, Saint Monica and Saint Mark the Evangelist, who is patron of the Maltese Augustinian Province.

On each side of the Chapel there are also two icons linked to the Eucharist: the scene of Emmaus and the scene of the washing of the feet at the last supper. The work on the mosaic and the icons was all done by Rev. Fr. Roberto Gauci, whilst the woodwork was done by Mr. George Attard. Mr. Joseph Borg coordinated the works.

During the inaugural celebration, the Prior Provincial highlighted that this wonderful space is an invitation particularly for those who live close to the Priory and who are familiar with the Augustinian Community, to go and spend some time of adoration and prayer before Jesus in the Eucharist. The Chapel is open all day. It is thought that in the future this same chapel will also house the remains of the servant of God Fra Grazzja Gauci O.S.A.


This summer 5 young people together with Fr Mario Abela osa will go to Kenya to do missionary work together with the Augustinian Friars. We asked them how they found out about this experience. Thank you for this choice to spend part of the summer for others in poor countries like Kenya.

 

Mireille Gauci: For me this is the first experience of voluntary work that I will do. I have always had the desire to help others who are in need. This opportunity came by chance because a person close to me saw the advert on social media and knew that I have the desire to go and help in the mission. I am an early years teacher and as a job I look after and teach very young children.

I have always had the desire to help children who are in need. When I am teaching I remember children who are perhaps not so fortunate and who do not have the opportunities that the children I am teaching have. Since this will be my first missionary experience I don't know what I will find there but I think I will find poverty that we have never experienced. I encourage young people to do this experience that will definitely serve them for the rest of their lives and learn from it.

 

Antonio Chetcuti: I had been seeing stories of people going on a mission for these last years, and a year and a half ago I approached a person who was part of the Amigos group. I quickly spoke to Fr Mario, but that year we did not have the opportunity to go. This year God willing we are going to live this experience in communities in Kenya where people are living life with a different dynamic than maybe we are used to. I had the impression that the mission starts the moment you arrive there, but in reality it starts a long time before! Thanks to the help of people who have already done the experience before us, work is being done to collect funds for these communities. Many thanks to you too, who always give your help to make this mission a success

 

Raisa Mifsud: The Amigos group gives me the experience to discover this area of volunteering, both locally and abroad. I have always liked to keep myself involved in the field of volunteering because apart from giving me the opportunity to give a little of what I have, it also gives me the chance to get closer to myself and discover more the value of life. Each experience is unique and brings you face to face together with different personalities and situations. Together with my friends of Amigos we look forward to work together in three villages in Kenya.

 

Mariana Grima: I wasn’t sure whether to make that phone call to go on missionary work in Kenya or not as I was afraid of the commitment involved. However, in the end I called Fr Mario and from then onwards we have worked as a group to get as much funds as possible to help the poor in buying food, medicines, stationery for school children, building wells and houses. Please pray for us so that we show them love, happiness and help them freely and unconditionally. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the activities we did and to those who donated. It is thanks to you that this work is possible.

 

Nicholas Ferry: Every year I feel that the Lord calls me to do a missionary experience and this year I chose to go to Kenya. This decision came after I realized that I wanted something more from the experiences I had done before in Malta, and when I discovered that there was someone I knew going with the Amigos I made more courage. Thank you very much for your support and I assure you that your contributions will go to people who are truly in need.

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There is an ongoing and significant need for donations to support our mission work, and we would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to continue assisting us in our efforts. Kindly consider sending your donations through one of these channels:

Bank Transfer: MT58VALL22013000000040010188817

SMS:

50617357 għal donazzjoni ta’ €2.33

50618085 għal donazzjoni ta’ €4.66

50618905 għal donazzjoni ta’ €6.99

50619206 għal donazzjoni ta’ €11.65

 

Cheque addressed to:

Fr Mario Abela OSA

Patrijiet Agostinjani,

Kunvent San Tumas minn Villanova,

Triq J. Zammit Tabona,

Pietà, PTA1331

 

Revolut: +35679255936

 


During the month of May several young people, in twos on the example of the disciples of Emmaus,  had the opportunity to live a week with the Augustinian community in Tal Pietà. During this week the young people continued with their work and study while they were able to taste a little of the Augustinian life through moments of prayer, food and other moments. This is part of our work of vocational accompaniment for young people which takes place throughout the year through various activities and individual meetings with these young people.

We encourage other young people not to give up in the face of this challenge and at the same time we continue to pray so that there will be young people who leave everything and follow Christ through the Augustinian Life.

For more information contact fr Terence Spiteri osa – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


The month of May, for us Augustinians and for so many devotees around the world, is linked to the figure of the great Augustinian nun, Saint Rita of Cascia. Saint Rita lived in Umbria in Italy, more than 600 years ago, but the different experiences that life has brought together, have made her a figure that appeals so much even to our times. She lived the challanges of married life, the experience of a mother who even lost her sons, the call to the consecrated life as an Augustinian nun, and in the last years of her life God granted her the grace to experience closely the suffering of his Son through a thorn on her forehead. In all this she lived heroically the Christian virtues particularly, love, forgiveness, faith, and total disposition to the will of God.

Along the 20th century, the devotion to Saint Rita spread rapidly, not only in Italy, but also in so many countries around the world. The Augustinians worked hard to spread such devotion presenting her to the people of God as a model of hope in the difficulties of life. Many devotees keep Thursdays as the day to resort to her with their difficulties and problems humbly requesting her intercession to deliver their prayer to God almighty.

The feast of Saint Rita is celebrated these days in all Augustinian churches and also in several other churches. In the Parish Church of Saint Augustine in Valletta and in the Church of Saint Augustine in Victoria Gozo , it is celebrated precisely on its liturgical day on May 22. Apart from various celebrations along the day, a devotional pilgrimage will be held in Valletta at 5.45pm and mass will than follow at 7.15pm. The devotional pilgrimage in Victoria Gozo starts  at around 7.15pm after the 6.30pm mass.

Meanwhile, on a general request, the Maltese Augustinian Province published a new edition of the book "Santa Rita minn Cascia" by fr. Peter Paul Cachia. In it you will find the life of Santa Rita according to new historical findings, as well as various prayers to Santa Rita, including the prayer for the fifteenth Thursday, the Kurunella and the Litany of Santa Rita. The book, of more than 160 pages, and containing various photos is published in full colour.


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