Following the Ordinary Provincial Chapter 2026, which we Augustinians celebrated in March and April of this year, discussions continued regarding our life in the respective communities, and the ministries we carry out in various realities. Current circumstances require us to continue a journey of reflection that also leads to decisions.
In this spirit, it has been decided that the Communities of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino in Tarxien and Saint Thomas of Villanova in Pietà will be merged into a single community, which will be based in Pietà and will serve both St Augustine College and the Church of Saint Nicholas in Tarxien. The Province will continue to invest in its educational mission, and therefore the facilities in Tarxien will be used for a college expansion project that we will be developing over the coming years. It is worth recalling that our building in Tarxien had already served educational purposes years ago, first through the benefactor himself Fr Ġwann Mamo, and later through the Augustinian friars with St Augustine College, before it was transferred to Pietà. On the other hand, the church in Tarxien will remain open and continue serving the local community, although there will be a reduction in the daily sacramental pastoral services provided there.
The post-Chapter decisions also include a number of new responsibilities and transfers of religious friars who will be serving in new communities or ministries. Those who are close to us understand that this is a process we go through every four years and that it forms part of our commitment to consecrated life and service to the Church wherever it is needed. These moments naturally bring with them a variety of emotions, and we therefore appreciate your closeness, support, and prayers.
The following is the list of the new community assignments and the responsibilities of the friars. In addition to these, there are various other internal responsibilities, while work still remains to be done regarding structures and the review of the membership of entities and foundations, particularly with regard to lay collaborators who assist us in the respective areas.
St Augustine Priory – Valletta
Fr. Leslie Gatt Prior Provincial
Fr. Peter Paul Cachia Bursar,
Fr. Joseph Zammit Sacristan, Assistant Parish Priest
Fr. Alex Cauchi Parish Priest
Fr. Paul Muscat Rector of St Anthony Chapel, Buskett
Fr. Mark Cauchi
(Fr. Ambroġ Delia – residenti d-Dar tal-Kleru)
St Mark’s Priory – Rabat
Fr. Pierre Desira Prior, Director of the Augustinian Institute
Fr. Nazzareno Saliba Bursar
Fr. Luċjan Borg Sacristan
Fr. Raymond Francalanza Rector of St Martin’s Church, Baħrija
(Fr. Kostantin Borg – residenti Villa Messina)
St Thomas of Villanova Priory – Pietà
Fr. Terence Spiteri Prior, College Chaplain
Fr. David Cortis Bursar, College Rector
Fr. Mario Abela Sacristan
Fr. Franco Grech Rector of St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church, Tarxien
Daniel Cardona (Pre-novice)
Our Lady of Good Counsel Priory – Paceville
Fr. Martin Micallef Prior, Sacristan
Fr. Alan Scerri Bursar, Rector of St Rita Chapel, St Julians
Fr. Goeffrey Imujaro Barasa
Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro Director of the Millennium Chapel
St Augustine Priory – Rabat (Gozo)
Fr. Rafel Abdilla Prior
Fr. Adeodato Schembri Bursar
Fr. Frans Calleja Sacristan
Genazzano – Italy
Fr. Josef Sciberras
