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PROVIN¬JA FRAN{ISKANA TA’ SAN PAWL APPOSTLU, MALTA. No. 115 1.7.2006

Charles Wickman, OFM 50 Sena Saċerdot

Fid-29 ta’ Lulju 2006, Fra Charles jiċċelebra l-50 sena mill-Ordinazzjoni Saċerdotali. Ritratt jidher flimkien mal-Ministru Ġeneral u mal-Ministru Provinċjal. Nawgurawlu.

Nhar is-Sibt, 1 ta’ Lulju 2006, Mons. Arċisqof Ġużeppi Mercieca bierek is-sarkofagu tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon. Ara paġni 10 u 11.

BI TĦEJJIJA GĦAT-VIII ĊENTINARJU TAR-REGOLA Il-Mulej waslilna messaġġ qawwi bil-kelma umli u sempliċi ta’ ħuna Giacomo Bini, OFM. Kulħadd kellu kelma ta’ tifħir. U kull minn attenda stqarr li kien mument sabiħ u ta’ grazzja. Issa aħna nafu li l-grazzja ta’ Alla titlob il-kooperazzjoni tal-bniedem, i.e., ‘Mulej jien xi tridni nagħmel?’ (Franġisku). Għal dawk li attendew, il-Mulej sfidhom għat-tiġdid personali tas-sejħa franġiskana għad-dinja tallum, u għal dawk li ma ħadux sehem tilfu mument ta’ grazzja u ta’ fraternita’.

Fra Paul Galea, OFM Ministru Provinċjal

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Nistg]u ng]idu li l-Ordni fran-[iskan beda mill-konver\joni g]all-Van[elu ta’ San Fran[isk. “Il-Mulej ta lili fra Fran[isk il-grazzja..”. L-istori`i jikkalkolaw li li din il-konver\joni se]]et madwar 20 sena qabel il-kitba tat-Testment, forsi fis-sena 1205. Rivelazzjoni gradwali. - Fit-triq il-[dida li beda wara {esu, Fran[isku mexa pass wara l-ie]or, kif kien inebb]u l-Mulej: - Il-kmand tal-Kur`ifiss f’San Damjan - il-laqg]a mal-lebbru\ - il-qari tal-Van[elu fil-Porziuncola - il-Mulej jag]tih id-don tal- A]wa - impenn fi-xandir tal-penitenza flimkien i]a\\u l-Forma Vitae -il-Papa Innocens III japprovaha “viva voce” fis-sena 1209 San Fran[isk kien konvint mis-sej]a tieg]u: “Il-Mulej nebba]ni li kelli ng]ix skond l-g]amla tal-Evan[elju mqaddes” (Test 14). Xtaq u talab il-konferma tal-Papa kif appena kellu tnax il-ra[el li riedu jimxu wara {esu fuq il-passi tieg]u. Dawn ing]aqdu mieg]u meta raw li tabil]aqq kien “[enwin”.

Il-grazzja tal-bidu. Jekk il-bidu tal-Ordni kien grazzja, il-fatt li l-Ordni g]adu ]aj wara 800 sena huwa grazzja wkoll. Il-Mulej g]adu jridna, kemm b]ala individwi kif ukoll b]ala fraternitajiet fi ]dan il-Knisja. Il-Papa {wanni Pawlu II, fil-Vita consacrata jg]idilna li a]na r-Reli[ju\i, “m’g]andniex biss xi [rajja li niftakru fiha u n]abbruha lill-o]rajn, imma wkoll [rajja li g]ad trid issir. }arsu lejn il-[ejjieni li lejh qed jimbuttakom l-Ispirtu biex tag]-mlu ]wejje[ og]la” (n. 110). Na]seb li dan qed jippruvaw jag]mlu l-Ordnijiet tag]na f’dawn is-snin ta’ preparazzjoni biex infakkru t-800 sena mit-twaqqif tal-Ordni fis-sena 1209. Ri-fundazzjoni Illum, aktar milli riforma, qed nitkellmu minn rifun-dazzjoni. Dan bl-iskop li l-Ordni jie]u nifs [did, ]ajja [dida, u jkun rilevanti fit-tielet millennju b]alma kien fis-sekli li g]addew. Jekk tabil]aqq hu “[gant rieqed”, jista’ jqum qabel ma jkun tard wisq! Ri-fundazzjoni titlob li nirritornaw g]all-essenzjal tal-]ajja tag]na fuq it-tlett livelli: Livell uman. Tajjeb nirriflettu fuq l-im[ieba tag]na bejnietna u man-nies li

niltaqg]u mag]hom fil-]ajja ta’ kuljum. Meta naqraw il-Fonti Fran[iskani ma nistg]ux ma ninnutawx il-cortesia li kienet tant tispikka fil-]ajja ta’ San Fran[isk ma’ kul]add. Kien ja]seb f’]utu f’kull b\onn li kienu jsibu ru]hom fih: [u], mard, midinbin.. Livell kristjan u fran[iskan. Aktar ma nag]rfu u napprez-zaw il-valuri tal-Van[elu, u mag]hom dawk tal-ispiritwalita tag]na, aktar ng]ixuhom bil-qalb. A]na mistennija li nkunu l-a]]ar edizzjoni kemm tal-Van[elu kif ukoll tal-Fran[iskane\mu. Meta nimpenjaw ru]na ng]ixu l-Van[elu fir-radikalita’ tieg]u bil-qalb inku-nu qed insa]]u l-]ajja fraterna, element essenzjali g]all-a]]ar biex nistg]u nissej]u u nkunu tabil]aqq “Fratres Minores”. L-A]wa, ejjew nibdew

Dan i\-\mien ta’ tħejjija g]andna ng]odduh \mien providenzjali biex ma nib\g]ux nift]u qalbna bera] g]al {esu’ u nag]tuh it-tmun ta’ ]ajjitna. Il-Van[elu tieg]u g]adu s]i] bi\\ejjed biex jag]milna r[iel ħielsa. Jekk in]allu l-Van[elu

jag]tina liberta s]i]a b]alma ta lil San Fran[isk u lil Santa Klara, nistg]u nkunu llum, a]na wkoll, ir[iel li

Il-grazzja tal-bidu tagħna

Ġużepp Beneditt Xuereb, OFM

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n[ibu r-rikon`iljazzjoni, il-[ustizzja u l-pa`i vera.

Il-fatt li nippre\entaw ruħna b]ala segwa`i ta’ San Fran[isk hu di[a’ vanta[[, g]ax hu qaddis ma]bub anke barra ‘l Knisja Kattolika. Imma dan mhux bi\\ejjed. Id-dinja tallum, mifruda kif inhi u g]atxana g]all-verita’ s]i]a, titlob xhieda awtenti`i tal-valuri kari\mati`i li jsawru l-vokazzjoni fran[iskana. Napprofittaw, g]alhekk, minn dan i\-\mien biex nim-penjaw ru]na ng]ixu l-Van[elu kif g]exu u pproponi-hulna San Fran[isk.

F’kelma wa]da, ma nimi-tawx lil dawk id-dixxipli li mxew wara {esu mill-bog]-od. Ejjew inkunu fidili g]as-sej]a tag]na, in]arsu dak li weg]edna nhar il-Profess-joni.

RIFLESSJONI FUQ IL-FORMOLA

TAL-PROFESSJONI B’tif]ir u glorja lit-Trinita’ l-aktar Qaddisa, Jien N.N., ladarba l-Mulej tani din il-grazzja li nimxi aktar mill-qrib fuq l-Evan[elju u l-passi tal-Mulej tag]na {esu Kristu, quddiem l- A]wa li hawn madwari, f’idejk, ]ija N.N., b’fidi u rieda s]i]a: inwieg]ed lil Alla, Missier Qaddis u li jista’ kol-

lox li ng]ix g]al ]ajti kollha fl-ubbidjenza, ming]ajr xejn tieg]i u fil-kastita’, u fl-istess ]in nistqarr il-]ajja u r-Regola tal-Patrijiet Minuri, ikkonfermata mill-Papa Onorju, u nwieg]ed li n]aris-ha b’fedelta’ fi qbil mal-Kostituzzjonijiet tal-Ordni tal-Patrijiet Minuri. G]alhekk b’qalbi kollha ning]ata lil din il-fraternita, biex, meg]jun mill-]idma effika`i tal-Ispirtu s-Santu, immexxi mill-e\empju ta’ Marija Immako-lata, bl-inter`essjoni ta’ San Fran[isk u l-Qaddisin kollha, u mwie\en mill-g]ajnuna fraterna tag]kom, nista’ nkompli bla qtig] il-qalb biex nil]aq il-perfezzjoni tal-im]abba fil-qadi ta’ Alla, tal-Knisja u tal-bnedmin.

Il-fidi u l-vokazzjoni m’ humiex stati`i. I`-`elluli ta’ [ismi jinbidlu kuljum, u hekk ninbidel jien.. Jien m’inix fran[iskan g]ax g]amilt il-Professjoni 50+ sena ilu, imma jekk ma ng]ejjiex ng]ix kuljum il-weg]diet li g]amilt lil Alla.

Minn rajna, nhar il-Professjoni d]alna f’Patt ma’ Alla u Hu jistenna minna li nosservawh. G]alhekk, jag]mel tajjeb nieqaf u nistaqsi: Jien awtentiku? Jien dak li g]andi nkun, dak li nippre\enta

ru]i fil-Knisja u quddiem is-so`jeta’? Jien bniedem ta’ Alla?

Il-Pro[ett ta’ ]ajjitna hu mibni fuq pedamenti sodi: - il-Van[elu, - ir-Regola, - il-Kostituzzjonijiet [enerali.

It-tlieta huma mda]]lin fil-formola l-[dida tal-Professjoni approvata mill-Knisja g]alina l-fran[iskani.

L-inizjativa hi dejjem ta’ Alla. Sejja]li g]ax i]obbni. We[ibt b’liberta’ s]i]a g]ax ridt inkun f’komunjoni mat-Trinita Qaddisa. Ridt inkun ta’ Alla bla riservi jew kundizz-jonijiet. Ir-rabta tieg]i mal-Mulej hi dimensjoni funda-mentali tal-]ajja tieg]I, u dan g]al ]ajti kollha.

Inwieg]ed lil Alla,

Missier qaddis. Stqarrija solenni!

Idde`idejna li nibqg]u miexjin wara {esu sal-Kalvarju, b]al Fran[isku. Dan jifhem meta jg]idilna li g]andna nkunu sottomessi mhux biss g]as-superjuri, imma g]al kull kreatura. Din hi wkoll espressjoni tal-faqar evan[eliku. Il-]ajja fil-fraternita’ titlob ]afna minna (“kenosis”): li nixxejnu, fuq l-e\empju ta’ {esu stess. Hi

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`a]da s]i]a tag]na nfusna, imma jrid ikollna passjoni biex ng]ixu l-ideal li nesprimu bil-kliem nimxi ak-tar mill-qrib wara {esu. Ng]ix fl-ubbidjenza, bla xejn tieg]i u fil-kastita’.

Il-Voti huma sinjali, g]ajnuniet biex nimxu aktar mill-qrib wara {esu’ Kristu. San Fran[isk jg]inna bl-e\empju u t-talb tieg]u, imma jmiss lilna li nimpen-jaw ru]na bis-s]i]. Jg]al-limna nie]du bis-serjeta’ l-Van[elu u nkunu kapa`i nit-tradu`uh f’lingwa[[ li jifhmuh in-nies tallum. Meta beda jg]ix il-Van[elu skopra lil “Kristu fqir u msallab”: idde`ieda li jimxi warajh, anzi li jitwa]]ad mieg]u. Skopra lil Alla b]ala Missier u xejn ma raha bi kbira jin\a’ ]wej[u fil-bera]. Qieg]ed il-fidu`ja tieg]u ko-llha f’Alla u qatt ma ]assu liberu daqs dakinhar. Dan kien il-bidu ta’ kollox. Il-Kastita’: g]andha tfisser ]afna aktar milli ma ni\\ew[ux, ma jkollniex il-familja tag]na. Illum, g]al ]afna \g]a\ag], li ma ji\\ew[ux hu lussu. Til]aq il-g]an tag]ha meta lil Alla n]obbuh b’qalbna.. kollha, u g]all-im]abba tieg]u nag]-tu servizz ta’ m]abba lil

xulxin, fil- u barra mill-fraternita’.

Il-faqar: ]afna laj`i i]arsu lejna u jg]idulna: “Intom x’jonqoskom? A]na jkollna na]dmu biex nibnu dar, inrabbu l-familja, inla]-]qu mal-ispejje\ tal-]ajja.. Intom g]andkom kunventi li saru problema anke g]ali-kom”. Pawlu VI kien wissiena biex ma nkunux “foqra bil-patt li ma jkun jonqosna xejn”.

L-Ubbidjenza: ]afna reli[ju\i li ]allew il-kunvent fehmu x’inhi tabil]aqq l-ubbidjenza. Kellhom jag]-mlu affarijiet li fil-kunvent spiss ]aslu jdejhom minn-hom. Xi w]ud iridu li qabel jag]mlu dak li jitlob minn-hom is-superjur, jag]mlu djalogu! Tajjeb, imma spiss jispi``a li s-superjur ikollu jobdi hu!

Formola antika tal-weg]diet kienet tg]id hekk: Bil-]e[[a kollha ta’ qalbi nix-tieq navvi`ina aktar lejn Alla. Nistaqsu ftit lilna nfusna: Hi din tabil]aqq ix-xewqa ta’ qalbna?

Kemm-il darba ng]ixu b’impenn il-professjoni li g]amilna \gur nibqg]u miexjin lejn il-Mulej li mieg]u nixtiequ ning]aqdu. Cf. Deus meus et om-nia.

Tisma’ min jg]id: il-Voti m’humiex jiffunzjonaw illum!

Jekk hu hekk tabil]aqq, din hi ]a[a gravi. San Fran[isk fehem il-voti b]ala g]otja s]i]a tieg]u nnifsu lil Alla ladarba a``etta li jaqdiH.

F’`ertu sens il-voti huma problema. Mhux fa`li tg]ixhom b’impenn s]i] g]al ]ajtek kollha. Imma ni\baljaw ]afna jekk nin-telqu, u n]allu li jsuqna l-kurrent. In-nukleu ta’ l-ispiritwalita’ fran[iskana.

Jikkonsisti filli nistaqsu l-]in kollu: Min a]na? Fejn a]na?

Biex inwie[bu, je]tie[ li niltaqg]u mill-[did ma’ Kristu fqir. B]alu ng]idu: “Mulej, ag]mel minni dak li trid int”. Hawn hu l-qofol tal-Professjoni: li nimxu bis-serjeta wara Kristu. Mela, nibdew mill-[did. Incipiamus fratres.. Il-]ajja fraterna

Iva, ng]ixu flimkien, imma kemm nafu lil xulxin? Ir-relazzjonijet ta’ bejnietna huma dejjem? Aktar milli no-qog]du nistenew lill-ie]or, nibda jien.

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}afna illum isemmu l-Movimenti u l-Gruppi l-[odda.. u l-]ajja ta’ frater-nita’ li jikkultivaw. Imma l-kari\ma tag]na m’g]andiex forza akbar u storja aktar twila?

B]ala fran[iskani d-dinja t]obbna u tistenniena. G]alina l-bibien huma miftu]a. Xi jsir hawn ]afna: familji bi problemi serji, \g]a\ag] orfni, morda waħidhom fid-djar.. Jixtiequ jiltaqg]u ma’ nies li jg]ixu dak li jippriedtkaw, awtenti`i, ir[iel li juru bid-dieher li huma konvinti u li Kristu hu `-`entru ta’ ]ajjithom.

Nistqarr li rrid in]ares dejjem il-]ajja u r-regola.

Illum g]andna Kost.{en. rikki g]all-a]]ar. Naqrawhom? Meta l-a]]ar darba li qrajnihom? Ir-Regola tag]na ferm iqsar minn ta’ S. Benedittu: 12 vs 80 kapitlu. Fuqha u fuq il-Kostituzzjonijiet hu mibni l-pro[ett ta’ ]ajjitna.

Na]seb li lkoll g]an-dna d-drawwa li ntennu kul-jum il-Formola tal-Professjoni. Il-Min.Gen irrik-mandalna dan meta [ie

j\urna f’Settembru. Insibni tajjeb li nag]mel dan wara li ni``elebra l-quddiesa!

B’qalbi kollha nin-

g]ata lil din il-fraternita’. Tg]id qed ning]ataw

ilkoll kemm a]na lill-fraternita’ fejn ng]ixu? Hu qawwi fina s-sens ta’ ap-partenenza? Il-kunvent hu “home” jew house biss? Ejjew “inwarrdu fejn il-Mulej g]o[bu j]awwilna”. Nag]mlu dak li ni[u mitluba nag]mlu b’fidu`ja s]i]a fil-g]ajnuna ta’ Alla u ta’ ]utna. It-ti[did irid isir biss bil-g]ajnuna tag]na lkoll.

G]al dan insibu g]ajnuna fil-formazzjoni per-manenti; minnha tiddependi wkoll dik inizjali tal-A]wa li l-Mulej jibg]atilna. Waqt li \-\g]a\ag] g]andhom b\onn l-esperjenza tag]na, a]na l-anzjani g]andna b\onn l-entu\ja\mu tag]hom, u wkoll l-ideat aktar friski tag]-hom. Hemm b\onn li ninvestu: 1. aktar ]in fit-talb u l- meditazzjoni tal-kelma ta’ Alla. Innaqsu mhux minn dawn, imma mill-]in li ng]-

addu mill-qari tal-[urnali, TV , ]in mal-]bieb, etc.. 2. Niltaqg]u aktar flimkien, anke informalment, imma f’atomosfera ta’ ]biberija. Insiru nafu aktar lil xulxin, u inqas fuq xulxin. 3. Alla g]andu jkun dejjem in focus fil-]ajja tag]na. Il-pre\enza ta’ Alla g]andha tferra]na, mhux tbe\\ag]-na. 4. Nisimg]u l-bnedmin tallum. Mhux bi\\ejjed nil-taqg]u mag]hom fil-knisja, meta a]na nkunu og]la minnhom. San Fran[isk kien imur qalb in-nies, isibhom fejn jg]ixu, ja]dmu, ibatu. In-nies g]adha t]obbna, u meta nag]mluha mag]hom nitg]allmu niddjalogaw u huma jifhmuna a]jar. Jalla ma jkunx jg]odd g]alina dak li kiteb \ag]\ug] fuq ]ajt ta’ knisja: “Qed tag]tu ris-posti g]al domandi li ]add ma qed jag]mlilkom”.

Il-kuntatt man-nies ite-jjeb ]afna l-predikazzjoni tag]na.

Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours. Anonymous

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Indirizz tal-Ministru Provinċjal Fra Paul Galea, OFM

Niftakru bil-ferħ u gratitudni Il-Mulej jag[tikom is-Sliem1 F’isem {uti l-Ministri Provin/jali u Superjuri tal-Familja Fran;iskana fil- G]ejjer tag[na, nilqg[ukom flimkien ma’ {una Padre Giacomo Bini, g[and {utna s-Sorijiet il-Foqra ta’ Santa Klara. :ejna hawnhekk il-lejla f’dan l-imkien qaddis biex flimkien, b[ala Fran;iskani, u marbutin ma’ [utna l-Fran;iskani fid-dinja, niftakru bil-fer[ u bi gratitudini lejn Alla l-aktar G[oli u Qaddis, fil-bidu tal-Kari]ma Fran;iskana li taf il-bidu tag[ha fil-qalba ta’ Assisi permezz ta’ l-avventura evan;elika, fraterna, apostolika u kontemplattiva ta’ Missierna Fran;isku.

:ejna hawnhekk g[ax l-idejal tag[na hu wie[ed u l-istess fid-diversita’ tal-Familja Fran;iskana kollha , dak li ng[ixu l-Evan;elju fil-fraternita’ u fix-xhieda apostolika – kontemplattiva tag[na, b[ala a[wa, ir;iel u nisa. :ejna hawnhekk g[ax b[ala Fran;iskani, a[na wkoll qed in[ossu l-effetti ta’ l-im;ieba relattiva rigward il-[ajja reli;juża, u g[alhekk hemm b]onn li nisimg[u aktar l-Evan;elju, u induru lejH permezz ta’ konverżjoni kontinwa u ta’ kuljum. Hemm b]onn li nag[mlu g[a]la radikali u dixxerniment personali biex ng[arfu dejjem aktar ir-rieda t’Alla u tal-Knisja permezz tas-sej[a Fran;iskana.

:ejna hawnhekk biex nisim-g[u l-Mulej ikellimna u jurina l-[tie;a tal-konverzjoni fil-[ajja tag[na. San Fran;isk Missierna fil-bidu tal-konverżjoni tieg[u, ta’ spiss kien jitlob bil-qalb u b’rieda soda lil Kristu , msallab, fqir u umli “Mulej, xi trid li jiena nag[mel” Din hija t-talba [erqana ta’ ti;did li l-Ordni Fran;iskan qed jitlob matul is-sena 2006, sena ta’ preparazjoni g[a/-/elebrazzjonijiet tat-tmien /entinarju mill-approvazz-joni tar-Regula Fran;iskana. Din hija t-talba tag[na l-lejla filwaqt li nisimg[u l-Kelma u l-[e;;a Evan;elika li l-Mulej se jwasslilna permezz ta’ [una Padre Giacomo Bini. Nirringrazzjakom f’isem il-Familja Fran;iskana f’Malta.

Mulej, xi trid li jiena nag[mel?

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Is-soltu ni``elebraw xi [rajja jew anniversarju, b]al ng]idu a]na t-twelid /mewt ta’ San Fran[isk. Din id-darba se ni``elebraw l-istorja tag]na, b]ala Moviment. Tajjeb nistaqsu: G]aliex jien qieg]ed f’din il-Familja Fra-n[iskana?

Il-Moviment Fran[iskan tnissel mill-Van[elu. Jien qed ng]ixu l-Van[elu? Il-vokazzjoni hi sej]a g]all-qdusija. Jien qed nimpenja ru]i li nitqaddes ta-bil]aqq? Jew in]ossni insoddisfatt min]abba l-medjokrita’, tieg]i u ta’ s]abi? }afna minna “rieqdin”. Aktar milli Riforma, illum nitkellmu dwar Ri-fundazzjoni. Il-Van[elu qed jinterpellana l- ]in kollu. Je]tie[ inqumu.

1. Sena 2006: Id-dixxerniment. Bdejna f’San Damiano,

f’ri[lejn il-Kur`ifiss. Kien hemm li beda l-Moviment Fran[iskan. Kompla, imbag]ad, bit-tg]anniqa mal-lebbru\. Mela, fidi f’Alla u fidi fil-bniedem.

F’diversi ambjenti qed isiru diversi “litur[iji”, ċelebraz-zjoni tal-Kelma.., f’ri[lejn il-Kur`ifiss. Dawn huma sinjali, u n-nies ti[i u tie]u gost: trid tara, tmiss il-kur`ifiss.. Xi trid in-nies minna?

Trid inbid [did f’dami[[ani [odda, inbid li jifqa’ lil dawk “qodma” (mentalita’). Tridna ng]ixu, u mhux sem-pli`iment inkampaw, appena n\ommu ]ajjin.

Cf. Le[[enda Tre Compagni, n. 12. 3. Je]tie[ li ma norqdux, imma nistaqsu:

G]aliex jien fran[iskan illum? G]al min jien fran[iskan? Kif inkun fran[iskan?

1. F’San Damiano, il-Kur`ifiss ta ordni lil Fran[isku u hu wera disponibilita’ s]i]a: “Mur, Fran[isku, u rrestawra d-Dar tieg]i.” It-twe[iba: “Bil-qalb kollha, Mulej”. n. 12 Fran[isku da]al fl-g]ar ifittex “it-te\or”. U mill-g]ar ]are[ fer]an. Min hu mdejjaq mhux fran[iskan. n. 13 Mill-g]ar, fejn qag]ad jitlob, ]are[ mibdul u l-bidla dehret: kien fer]an.

Kuntest hu dak tal-konver\joni ta’ Fran[isku.

Id-dixxerniment idum ]ajjtina kollha, hi x’inhi l-eta’ tag]na. Cf. Pawlu VI: “Je]tie[ nag]tu risposta f’kull sta[un tal-]ajja konsagrata tag]na”.

Fil-g]ar: Fran[isku tbieg]ed mill-mentalita’ tad-dinja. }alla l-belt, u mar ifittex lill-vagabondi, lil-lebbru\i, lill-imwarrbin. }are[ barra l-]itan ta’ Assisi, imma ma tbieg]edx min-nies. Id-djalogu kompla. Fran[isku ma riedx l-istabilita’ tal-]ajja monastika.

Tg]id a]na qed

Siltiet minn Konferenza ta’ Fra Giacomo Bini, OFM

Ċelebrazzjoni tagħna stess

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nirritornaw g]all-“]ajja monastika”? Je]tie[ nirkupraw l-entu\ja\mu ori[inali, tal-bidu. Meta riedu jag]mluh Re, {esu’ tbieg]ed min-nies. A]na je]- tie[ nitbieg]du minn `erta mentalita’ mag]luqa, imma mhux min-nies.

Jg]odduna “boloh”? Imma wara {esu’ u fuq il-passi ta’ Fran[isku, nkunu qeg]din fit-triq it-tajba. Dan jitlob minna li naqdfu kontra l-kurrent , ji[ifieri ng]ixu l-Voti mqaddsa li weg]dna. Nafu li dawn m’humiex “skond il-kultura tallum”!

Il-]ajja reli[ju\a hi avventura sabi]a, ta’ fer], imma rridu ng]ixuha b’impenn. a) Solitudini

San Fran[isk fil-grotta fittex is-solitudini - mhux l-i\olament!

Is-solitudini hi “sagrament ta’ relazzjoni”. Mhix vojta, imma abitata. Fil-g]ar sab lill-Mulej u bena mieg]u relazzjoni ta’ ]biberija. NB. Appell g]all-Novizzjat ta’ xhur, mhux [ranet, [img]at! Spiss ng]idu: “G]andna ]afna x’nag]mlu; m’g]andniex \mien x’nitilfu”. Din hi ]arba minna nfusna; jg]iduh anke s-so`jolo-[i! b) l-Kelma ta’ Alla.

San Fran[isk: “Ma kienx semmieg] trux tal-Van[elu”.

Je]tie[ nieqfu u nikkun-sidraw sewwa l-andament tal-]ajja tag]na. Ne\aminawha

fid-dawl tal-Kelma ta’ Alla li dejjem “tisfidana”. Van[elu, cf. e\empji: Ir-ra[el li ried jibni torri: waqaf jikkunsidra g]andux flus biex jibni.. Is-sultan li kien sejjer g]all-gwerra ma’ sultan ie]or..

Je]tie[ li niskopru mill-[did il-vokazzjoni tag]na. Kif kienet tg]id Klara: “Mill-[did ninnamraw ma’ {esu’ Kristu b]al fil-bidu!

c) Sens [did lil ]ajjitna.

Kemm hu importanti nirriflettu fuq is-sens tal-]ajja. Je]tie[ ukoll inkellmu lin-nies dwar dan: G]aliex qed tg]ix? G]al min qed tg]ix?

Illum nib\g]u nkunu wa]idna, mag]na nfusna. De-jjem irridu nsibu x’nag]mlu, ma’ min immorru, nitkelmu.. Wa]idna n]ossuna bla sabar!

Wara l-laqg]a mal-Kur`ifiss, Fran[isku beda miexi, jitlob, jistaqsi, jag]mel dixxerni-ment.

2. L-ispiritwalita’ fran[iskana llum:

a) Nag]tu prijorita’ lil-laqg]a tag]na mal-Mulej. L-ewwel artiklu tal-KK. {{ jg]id: “.. imqanqlin mill-Ispirtu s-Santu, jimxu aktar mill-qrib wa-ra Kristu u bil-Professjoni jing]ataw b’mod s]I] lil Alla li j]obbu fuq kollox”.

Je]tie[ ng]addu ]in twil fit-talb kuljum. Inkunu mal-Mulej. Il-Mulej sej]ilna biex “inkunu mieg]u” (Mk 3, 13). Ara t-Tieni Kapitlu: “Il-}ajja tat-talb”.

b) Dwar il-fraternita ‘ l-KK. {{ jitkellmu fit-Tielet Kapitlu.

Je]tie[ niddistingwu bejn “Komunjoni ta’ ħajja” (Comunione di vita) u “}ajja fil-Komunita” (vita in comune). M’humiex l-istess ]a[a.

}ajja fil-Komunita’: nirridu`uha g]all-passa[[ mill-kor g]ar-refetorju. G]all-kamra tat-TV.. minn hemm g]all-kor, u g]a`-`ella biex norqdu!

Hu b\onn li nikkultivaw l-]ajja ta’ komunjoni mal-Mulej. Li nibnu u nsa]]u kuljum ir-relazzjoni tag]na mieg]u. Tkun fran[iskan ma jfissirx tbiddel ix-xog]ol, b]al ng]idu a]na, minn avukat, tabib, skarpan, bidwi.. tid]ol fl-Ordni. }afna i\jed minn hekk. Li je]tie[ inbid-dlu hi l-mentalita’, il-mod kif na]sbu, nitkellmu.. l-istil ta’ ]ajja li ng]ixu, fil-kunvent u barra, kull fejn inkunu.

Tkun fran[iskan ifisser li tg]ix ]ajja ta’ m]abba qawwija g]all-Mulej, ninnamraw mieg]u. In]arsu tajjeb il-[erakija tal-valuri. Xi drabi naraw li ma n]ossuna innamarati g]al ]add u g]al xejn, inqas u inqas g]al {esu’!

c) It-talb. Tin]ass kri\i,

sens ta’ smarriment, ma nafux fejn a]na, lejn Min sejrin. Ra[uni hi li a]na “ma nbieg]ux kollox”, kif g]amel Fran[isku. M’g]andniex g]al {esu’ m]abba esklussiva; im]abba preferenzjali mhix bi\\ejjed.

Min ikun tabil]aqq

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innamarat, ma jibkix, ma jsewwidx qalbu. L-g]arusa ma tmurx bi`-`iera tiltaqa’ mal- g]arus tag]ha, g]ax t]obbu! A]na n]ossuna maqsumin fina nfusna, g]alhekk mhux kuntenti. Spiss sieqa [ewwa u o]ra barra, u din l-im[iba tag]mel ]afna ]sara. G]andna g]ax inkunu kuntenti, imma jekk “in]allu kollox”. Jekk le, ji[rilna b]a\-\ag]\ug] g]ani: il-flus ma’ g]amluhx kuntent!

d) Stil fran[iskan. Ilkoll g]andna b\onn tal-ie]or/l- o]rajn. Hemm ]afna “g]eluq”.. fina nfusna. Mela, hemm b\onn li ng]ixu, u mhux no-qog]du nparlaw. Nibnu l-pa`i u l-fer] fina nfusna u hekk in-ferr]u lil dawk li ni[u f’kuntatt mag]hom.

e) Minorita’, aktar milli poverta’. Tkun “minor” ji[ifieri ma t]ossokx importanti.. li tiswa ]afna! Fran[isku mar ifit-tex l-iskart tas-so`jeta’: il-lebbru\i, il-briganti, il-]allelin. (1) G]aliex jien fran[iskan illum?

Ir-risposta g]andha tkun: G]ax iltqajt mal-Mulej, personalment.

Hu li qeg]edni fit-triq u jridni nimxi. Din il-mixja ma tintemm qatt, g]ax titlob li nab-banduna kollox g]alih. Prover-bju: “Min jittama jimxi u min i]obb ji[ri”.

Missjoni. Din hi parti importanti mill-kari\ma tag]na. Kiteb Papa {wanni Pawlu II: “Il-

missjoni hi l-qjies tal-fidi”. Min ma jemminx, ma

jittamax, ma j]obbx. Sem-pli`ement jirrepeti. “Dejjem hekk sar. Dejjem hekk g]amilna!”. Dan ifisser mewt! Il-qalb hi l-problema. (2) G]al min jien fran[iskan il-lum?

G]all-missjoni. Illum 10% ji[u l-Knisja u l-bi``a l-kbira anzjani. 80% , u ]afna minnhom \g]a\ag], ma jirfsux fi Knisja.

X’g]andha tkun l-im[ieba tag]na?

Fil-Le[[enda Peru[ina n. 90 nsibu l-metodu li jissu[[erixxi Fran[isku: l-im[ieba mal-briganti. L-a]wa fil-kapitlu ]asbuha mod, imma Fran[isku ssu[[erixxa mod ie]or u dan ta l-frott. (3) Kif inkun fran[iskan?

Missjoni tfisser tmur tfittex lill-ie]or fit-territorju tieg]u. Tfittxu b’sens ta’ ]biberija u ta’ fer] (buon umore). LP 90.

Je]tie[ no]olqu strut-turi [odda. Il-kunventi saru g\ejjer!

“Sewwi d-dar tieg]I” Abraham telaq

mg]ejun mill-fidi f’Alla. Bl-istess fidi niggustaw il-vokazzjoni fran[iskana. Liema dar insewwu?

Nibdew minn tag]na: il-persuna tag]na. Spiss maqsumin, m’a]niex kuntenti bina nfusna, kif a]na. Il-[isem hu sagrament. Je]tie[ in-

sewwu l-identita’ tag]na, il-personalita’ tag]na. (Mill-[did: Novizzjat).

L-itwal vjaġġ “missjunarju”, mhux minn hawn g]a`-¬ina! Minn mo]]na sa qalbna li je]tie[ tinbidel biex tkun t]abbat l-istess ritmu ma’ Qalb il-Mulej. Dan jitlob minna li ng]ixu: ]ajja sempli`i libera. G]andna ]afna x’ nag]mlu? Aktar g]andna ]afna x’nitilfu! Hu miraklu li nkunu fis-sliem mag]na nfusna. Nirrikon`iljaw ru]na mal-]ajja.

Insewwu d-dar tar-relazzjonijiet: - mag]na nfusna - mal-o]rajn - ma’ Alla - mad-dinja - mal-flus. Jekk g]andna biss minimu ta’ supportazzjoni, din mhix ]ajja fran[iskana. Ġużepp Beneditt Xuereb, OFM

Teach only love, for that is

what you are!

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Nhar is-Sibt l-1 ta’ Lulju, Mons. Arċisqof Ġużeppi Mercieca, mexxa Konċelebrazzjoni mal-Fraternita’ Franġiskana fit-tifkira tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon fil-Knisja ta’ Santa Marija ta’ Ġesu’, il-Belt u, wara, bierek il-Monument il-ġdid tal-Beatu fil-Kappella tiegħu, Monument li fih tqiegħdu l-fdalijiet ta’ l-istess Beatu. Il-fdalijiet ittieħdu lejn il-Monument b’mod solenni u tqiegħdu fih wara li Mons. Arċisqof bierek u inċensah. Il-Monument sar fuq disinn ta’ Dun Gino Gauci. Ġie maħdum u mħallas mis-Sur Vincent Vella u l-Aħwa Vella tad-Ditta Ħal Mann ta’ l-irħam. Il-bronż dekorattiv inħadem mid-Ditta Domus Dei ta’ Ruma u ġie mħallas mill-offerti li d-devoti tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon għamlu matul dawn l-aħħar ħames snin.

Sarkofagu tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon

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1 ta’ Lulju 2006 Huwa b’sens kbir ta’ ferħ u gratitudni lil Alla li dalgħodu, aħna u niċċelebraw it-tifkira tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon f’din il-Knisja Franġiskana ddedikata lil Santa Marija ta’ Ġesu’, li minn hawn u ftit ieħor, Mons. Arċisqof Ġużeppi Mercieca ser ibierek il-Monument il-Ġdid tal-Beatu Nazju u ser inqiegħdu il-fdalijiet tiegħu fih b’mod definittiv quddiem din il-miġemgħa tad-devoti tiegħu. Inroddu ħajr minn qalbna lil Alla l-Missier, li fil-ħniena kbira tiegħu, għoġbu jagħżel lil dan ħuna, Malti bħalna u Belti, biex ikun eżempju ta’ qdusija u ta’ impenn fit-tixrid tat-tagħlim tal-Bxara t-Tajba lil ħutu Maltin u lill-barranin. Inroddu ħajr lil Alla, li bil-ministeru tal-mibki Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II, li l-arma tiegħu tqiegħdet fil-prospettiva ta’ l-artal iddedikat lil Beatu Nazju f’din il-Knisja, li dan ħuna ġie dikjarat Beatu, ħames snin ilu, nhar id-9 ta’ Mejju 2001. Dalgħodu nixtieq nieħu l-okkażjoni biex f’isem il-Fraternita’ Franġiskana tagħna u f’isimkom, nirringrazzja lil Mons. Arċisqof Ġużeppi Mercieca tal-preżenza tiegħu, talli mexxa din l-Ewkaristija u talli issa ser ibierek il-monument tal-Beatu Nazju. Nirringrazzja wkoll lil Mons. Philip Calleja, Viċi-Postulatur tal-kawża tal-Beatu Nazju tal-preżenza tiegħu u lilkom ilkoll, saċerdoti, reliġjużi u lajċi, devoti tal-Beatu Nazju għall-preżenza tagħkom li permezz tagħha stajna nitolbu flimkien f’għaqda ta’ fidi u mħabba. Marcello Ghirlando, OFM

Knisja Santa Marija ta’ Ġesu’, Valletta

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informazzjoni XXIII Kaptilu Ġenerali tas-Sorijiet Franġiskani tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesu’. Bejn il-5 u 28 ta’ Lulju 2006, is-Sorijiet Franġiskani tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesu’ sejrin jiċċelebraw it-XXIII Kapitlu Ġenerali Elettiv għall-ewwel darba mhux fil-ġżejjer ta’ Malta u Għawdex, iżda fid-Dar Ġeneralizja li tinsab f’Santa Maria delle Mole, Ruma. Il-motto tal-Kapitlu huwa Indawlu l-preżenza ta’ Alla... Bix-xhieda tal-ħajja u bil-ħidma tagħna. Il-Kapitlu Ġenerali jilħaq il-qofol tiegħu bl-elezzjonijiet tas-Superjura Ġenerali u tal-membri tal-Kunsill. F’ittra mibgħuta lill-Ministru Provinċjal, is-Superjura Ġenerali Sr. M. Anselmina Mifsud tħeġġeġ lill-aħwa kollha għat-talb. Pellegrinaġġ bl-istatwa tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu. Nhar l-Erbgħa 28 ta’ Ġunju sar pellegrinaġġ bl-istatwa tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu mill-Knisja ta’ Santa Marija ta’ Ġesu’, il-belt, sal-Bażilka ddedikata lilha fil-Belt. Il-pellegrinaġġ sar biex ifakkar il-125 mill-

inkurunazzjoni tal-kwadru tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu fil-Belt. Fil-pellegrinaġġ issieħ-bu l-patrijiet Karmeli-tani u l-Patrijiet Karmelitani Skalzi. Pellegrinaġġ simili bl-istatwa mill-Knisja tagħna sar 152 sena ilu.

Oratorju Madonna tas-Sacro Cuor

L-Oratorju ‘Madonna tas-Sacro Cuor’, kitba ta’ Patri Marjanu Vella, OFM u mużika tal-Mro. Joseph Vella li sar fil-knisja parrokkjali, nhar l-Erbgħa, 21 ta’ Ġunju 2006. Sar biex ifakkar il-125 sena tal-ftuħ tal-Knisja u tal-wasla tal-vara u tal-preżenza tal-patrijiet franġiskani fil-parroċċa. L-Oratorju tmexxa mill-Mro. Joseph Vella u ġie esegwit mill-Orkestra Nazzjonali, flimkien mal-Korijiet Laudate Pueri u Drama Group, it-Tenur Brian Cefai, is-Soprano Giorgina Gauci u l-Baritonu Joe Harber.

Short Circuit Il-kamra tal-gwardjan tar-Rabat sofriet minn ħruq kawzat minn short circuit. Il-ħsarat kienu konsiderevoli.

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 13

Fr. Jimmy Zammit celebrated his 25th Anniversary of priestly Ordination on 29th June, feast of Saints Peter and Paul. He presided over a solemn Mass of thanksgiving at the Franciscan church of Saint Mary of Jesus in Rabat. Fr. Jimmy was born in Toronto, Canada, from Maltese parents. He entered the Franciscan Order and studied in Boston, USA and in Malta. He was ordained priest on 13th June 1981 in our Franciscan church of Saint Anthony in Gozo by Bishop Nikol Cauchi. During his 25 years of priesthood Fr. Jimmy was pastor at Saint Paul's parish in Dundas, Toronto, when it was still under the care of the Maltese Franciscans. He was appointed Guardian and Director of Retreats at Porziuncola Retreat House, just after the renovation of the same retreat centre. Fr. Jimmy was a major figure in the organization of the Plenary Council of the Franciscan Order which was celebrated at Bahar ic-Caghaq in 1995. Subsequently Fr. Jimmy was superior of the Franciscan Maltese Mission in London. In 1997 he was called to the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor as General Bursar, where he worked all through the six years

in which Fr. Giacomo Bini was Minister General (1997 2003). At the end of his mandate Fr. Jimmy went back to Toronto, where he is currently pastor at the Immaculate Conception parish, which belongs to the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception of

New York. We wish Fr. Jimmy AD MULTOS ANNOS.

25th Anniversary of Ordination

Letter from the Minister General Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, ofm

Con grande gioia desidero participare alla celebrazione del suo 25 di sacerdozio. Si tratta, infatti, di una tappa importante nella storia di una persona, per l’arco di vita che abbraccia, e di un evento sigificativo nella storia della Communita’ ecclesiale, per aver assicurato ad essa la presenza del Signore attraverso il ministro della Parola, dell’ Eucaristia e della Misericordia. In questa felice circostanza voglio unirmi a te per ringraziare il Signore per il dono che ti ha fatto, chiamandoti a vivere il Vangelo secondo il carisma di Francesco di Assisi e al ministero sacerdotale. Non solo, anche per aver riempito questi tuoi anni con la sua Grazia, il suo Amore e la sua Presenza. La mia partecipazione, infine, a questa tua “data”, da ricordare e da celebrare solennemente, vuole essere un segno per esprimerti la mia gratitudine e quella di tutto l’Ordine. I 25 anni del tuo sacerdozio sono certo il frutto della “benedizione” che il Signore non ti ha fatto mai mancare, ma anche della tua fedelta’ al dono della chiamata e della grazia, fedelta’ espressa nel servizio alla Chiesa e all’Ordine. Mente ti auguro ogni Bene, tuttol il Bene, in occasione del tuo giubileo, ti chiedo di pregaew per l’Ordnie che si prepara alla celebrazione del Capitlo generale straordinario, affinche’ lo viviamo come un’ulteriore opportunita’ per riscoprire la “grazia delle origini”.

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 14

Letter from the Minister Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province

Dear Paul: Pace e bene. Hope all is well with you and the friars in Malta. As for your question concerning Peter Paul, I would say that he has done much better than even the doctors had expected. I myself visited him in late May and he was walking with either a cane or a walker. The doctors are very pleased and encouraged by his quick recover. All in all, he is doing very well. As for the telephone and in trying to get through to him, I know this is a difficult task. So far the friars have replaced the telephone in his room 5 times. He seems to pull at the wires and breaks the phones. However, if they keep trying they will finally succeed. He will now permanently reside at the Instituto San Francisco. Because of his age and a number of other problems, the Cardinal thought it best if Peter Paul retire. He did in the beginning resist a bit, however, now he seems ok with it. He can reside at the convent where he can be of help with Masses and confessions. There is a regular cook there and he can be assured of having home cooked meals everyday. It is also a better situation for him to be in a community with 6 other friars. God forbid he needs help, at least there is always someone there to help him. I hope this answers your questions. If I can be of further help, please do not hesitate to ask me. I will also be there and see him again on the 1, 2, 3 of August. If there is any message you would like me to give me, just let me know. Stay well and I will look forward.

Fr. Robert M. Compagna, OFM

Pietru Pawl Meilaq, OFM

Jirtira mill-ħidma pastorali Fra Pietru Pawl Meilaq, OFM temm il-ħidma pas- torali fil-Ħonduras. Huwa għandu 85 sena. Pietru Pawl barra l-ħidma li wettaq fil-provinċja, bħala Vigarju Provinċjali, Definitur u b’mod speċjali bħala mastru ta’ l-istudenti u tan-novizzi. Huwa wettaq ħidma missjunarja fl-Awstralja, il-Gwatemala u għal dawn l-aħħar snin fil-Ħonduras. L-indirizz il-ġdid tiegħu huwa: Hermanos Franciscanos Istituto San Francesco Apartado 367 Tegucigalpa Honduras D.C.

JISTRIEĦU FIS-SLIEM GĦAL DEJJEM • P. Mario Enriquez, O Carm, hu Fra Mark li

ngħaqad mas-Saċerdot ta’ dejjem fit-22 ta’ Ġunju.

• Ms. Bice Aquilina, oħt Fra Kamillu li għaddiet

għall-ħajja aħjar fit-30 ta’ Ġunju.

Agħtihom o, Mulej, il-mistrieħ ta’ dejjem. Amen

ikompli minn p. 23 itself is short-circuiting attitudes leading to easy solutions. The artist thinks that religious, social and political prejudices resulting from fear is an easier solution than harbouring the illegal immigrant

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 15

The Church of “The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt” was erected by Grand Master Manoel Pinto de Fonseca in 1752. It is still situated at the Marina, limits of Valletta, and forms part of a large number of sumptuous warehouses, all in the Ba-roque style. On the 16th January, 1941, the Church was ex-tensively damaged by en-emy action during an air raid on H.M.S. Illustrious which had entered the Grand Harbour. The dome, the belfries and the sacristy’s coved roof were destroyed and a large part of the sculpture and

mouldings in stone were badly damaged. Restoration was taken in hand by the Ministry of Education in 1988, making full use of its School of Building. Methods of con-struction and ma-terials used in the restoration work were similar to the original. The scope of this exercise was twofold: • The conser-

vation of a jewel of Baroque art at its grandest pe-

riod. • To afford an opportu-

nity for students and supervisors of ma-sonry to gain valu-able experience in restoration work, particularly in ma-sonry dome con-struction and ma-sonry decoration mouldings.

The project won the “Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit 1989” which was presented to the Minister of Education and the Inte-rior, by the President of Europa Nostra, Henri J. De Koster on the 8th No-vember 1990. Mass is celebrated every Saturday at 7.30 p.m. by the Director of the Apostolatus Maris Br. Paul Attard, OFM.

PINTO CHAPEL Valletta Waterfront

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GĦAQDA VOKAZZJONIJIET FRANĠISKANI

Jum is-Sejħa Franġiskana S. Antnin, Għawdex Lm. 183.85 S. Marija ta’ Ġesu’, Rabat 223.41 S. Marija ta’ Ġesu’, Valletta 329.96 Sacro Cuor, Sliema 597.22 S. Marija, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq 185.20 Ġesu’ Ħabib, Sliema 154.40 S. Franġisk, Ħamrun 474.37 B. Nazju Falzon, B’Kara 110.65 Madonna ta’ Liesse, Valleta 91.49

25 years of presence On 31 May 1981 the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus officially initiated their service in Saint Saviour’s Monastery. On 18 May of the same year, 25 years ago, the first eight sisters arrived from Malta. They were sent by their Mother General, Sr. Ines Gauci, upon the explicit request of the Custos Fr. Maurilio Sacchi. The official invitation had asked the Franciscan Sisters to give their service in Saint Saviour, with the aim of having the responsibility of the Custodial Infirmary, the Male Orphanage and the monastery kitchens. The first superior was Sr. Silvana Sciberras. The only sister who remains from the original group is Sr. Fedelina Galea, who works in the Infirmary. In order to commemorate this anniversary a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated on Sunday 25 June, in the

church of Saint Saviour. The celebrant was Fr. Artemio Vítores, Custodial Vicar. During his homily Fr. Artemio thanked God for the presence and service of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus in the Holy Land Custody. The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus was founded on 15 August 1880 in the island of Gozo, Malta, by Don Giuseppe Diacono and Sr. Margherita De Brincat. Sr. Margherita “del Cuore di Gesů” was, de facto, the foundress of the Congrega-tion after its abandonment by Don Diacono. Her process of beatification is underway at the General Postulation of the Order of Friars Minor. The Congregation is of

pontifical right since 1927, and has various houses in Malta and Gozo, Sicily, Bari, Rome (with the General House), Ferrara, London, Corfů, Jerusalem, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Australia, Brazil and the Philippines (Manila). Today the Franciscan Sisters at Saint Saviour are 5, and they are responsible for the running of the kitchen, collaborate in the running of the Infirmary and in the care of the sacred vestments in the Basilica of the Resurrection.

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Tirbah il-Premju ghat-Tjubija Papa Gwanni XXIII Fil-Palazz Presidenzjali fil-Belt Valletta, nhar l-Erbgha, 14 ta’ Ġunju 2006, kien jum specjali ghal Riona Attard, studenta ta’ tmien snin li tattendi l-iskola Primarja tax-Xaghra, Ghawdex, meta kienet l-ewwel tifla Ghawdxija li nghatat il-midalja tad-deheb bi xbieha tal-Papa Gwanni XXIII fuqha bhala l-Premju tat-Tjubija 2006. Dan il-premju inghata mill-President tar-Repubblika Dr Eddie Fenech Adami. Riona Attard qieghda fir-raba’ klassi ta’ l-Iskola Primarja Patri Mattew Sultana u ilha taghti l-ghajnuna taghha lil Guzeppina Galea ghal dawn l-ahhar erba’ snin. Li hemm bejniethom mhix hbiberija ta’ burdati izda ghajnuna kontinwa li ghenet biex fost dawn iz-zewgt itfal nibtet imhabba kbira. Bl-ghajnuna li qieghda tircievi minghand Riona, illum Guzeppina tista’ tikkomunika u tiehu sehem f’diversi attivitajiet ta’ l-iskola. Minkejja li Riona ghaddiet minn hafna esperjenzi difficli fil-hajja personali taghha, fosthom it-telfien ta’ missierha, ma naqset qatt milli ddur bil-habiba taghha Guzeppina, u dan taghmlu minghajr ma tistenna xejn lura. F’diskors li ghamel, Patri Dijonisju Mintoff, OFM, li

jmexxi l-Laboratorju tal-Paci appella biex l-ghalliema u l-genituri ma jghallmux lit-tfal x’jaghmel kulhadd imma dak li ghandu jaghmel kulhadd. Min-naha l-ohra huwa appella lit-tfal biex jaghmlu kuragg, jaghmlu kapolavur minn hajjithom u lil Malta taghna jaghmluha benniena ta’ nies hielsa. Patri Mintoff tkellem bir-reqqa dwar is-sitwazzjoni madwarna u qal li donnu li l-hajja ghandha vizzju kattiv li tressaq dejjem ghadu gdid biex jiehu post dak li b’hafna hidma u tahbit irnexxielna nirbhu. Huwa ghamel referenza ghall-guh u l-mard li hawn fostna u li tant qeghdin jeqirdu hajjiet. B’kuntrast ma’ dan, f’pajjizi ohrajn, illum it-tfal ikollhom flus jew mezzi biex jixtru ikel u xorb jew helu f’jum wiehed izjed milli dari missirijietna kienu jixtru f’sena. Patri Mintoff tkellem ukoll dwar il-vizjoni u r-realta’ ghall-istudenti tal-lum. Semma l-ezami tad-dhul fl-iskejjel privati jew tal-Knisja u qal li minn madwar 2,000 li jidhlu ghal dawn l-ezamijiet, jghaddu biss madwar 400. Huwa kkritika wkoll il-mod ta’ kif dawn it-tfal qeghdin jinfirdu socjalment minn tfal ohrajn biex imorru fi skejjel fejn hemm izjed

dixxiplina u kompetizzjoni. Patri Mintoff appella f’isem il-Laboratorju tal-Paci li huma mhux li se jibdlu din is-socjeta’ tal-massa. “Ghandna fiducja kbira li hemm min jitlob ghalina, li ghalkemm qeghdin fil-massa m’ahniex tal-massa.” Fi tmiem id-diskors ta’ Patri Mintoff, grupp ta’ studenti mill-iskola tal-Floriana kantaw diversi innijiet ferrihija marbutin ma’ temi socjali. Ghal din l-okkazjoni attendiet ukoll Guzeppina Galea, akkumpanjata mill-genituri taghha, kif ukoll omm Riona. Prezenti wkoll kien hemm, il-President Emeritus Dr Guido Demarco, il-President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, il-Ministru ghall-Edukazzjoni Louis Galea, il-Kelliem Ewlieni Laburista ghall-Edukazzjoni Carmelo Abela u l-Ministru Provinċjal Fra Paul Galea, OFM, fost mistiedna distinti ohra.

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Statisti`i [odda juru li t-tfal tal-lum huma ]afna itwal u itqal minn dawk ta’ dari. Aktar b’sa]]ithom u aktar fuq ru]hom. Stejjer fuq it-tfal ta’ qabilna juru mod ie]or. U meta g]alliema xju] jirrakuntaw kif kienu jg]ixu u jitg]allmu t-tfal li kienu jmorru fl-iskejjel elementari ta’ \mienhom bilkemm jitwemmnu minn min jismag]hom. Fis-snin 20-30 f’na]at ta’ Malta ftit xortihom tajba kienu ]afna aktar batuti minn dak li soltu naqraw jew nisimg]u. Kemm nisimg]u b’appelli biex naddottaw tfal mill-Peru’, mill-Afrika, l-Indja jew il-Pakistan. Waqt it-tfittix tieg]i biex in]ejji dawn il-kelmtejn er[ajt qrajt dan l-appell im]e[[e[. Mhux miktub minn xi missjunarju minn dawn il-pajji\i li semmejna, i\da miktub mid-Direttur ta’ l-Edukazzjoni ta’ Malta Dr. Albert Laferla LLD. fis-sena 1938. Jien kont wie]ed minn dawn it-tfal ta’ Bormla. Kelli 8 snin. Fil-Berqa tal-11 ta’ Mejju 1938 kiteb hekk: “Tippermetili, permezz tal-[urnal tieg]ek, nag]mel sej]a lill-pubbliku karitattiv f’isem it-tfal bil-[u] ta’ l-iskejjel Elementari, spe`jalment dawk ta’ l-ibliet u tas-subborgi? Jien ma nifla]x nara iktar id-dehra

ta’ dawn it-tfal foqra u sfortunati ming]ajr ma nittanta ntaffi s-sitwazzjoni tag]hom li [[ib ]niena. Tassew li l-Gvern qed jo]ro[ £950 fis-sena g]ax-xiri ta’ “Horlicks” jew “Milo”, i\da x’inhuma uqija jew tnejn ikel, ukoll jekk ikun mill-a]jar, f’ka\ ta’ tfal bil-[u]? Bosta minnhom ji[u l-iskola ming]ajr ma jkunu g]adhom da]]lu xejn fl-istonku tag]hom, u bosta j]osshom ]a\in fil-klassi. L-omm meta ti[i msej]a g]aliex binha jew bintha jkun ]asshom ]a\in, ma tista’ tag]ti l-ebda g]ajnuna; \ew[ha qieg]ed, il-familja tag]ha kbira g]all-a]]ar u fid-dar – jekk tista’ tissejja] dar – m’hemmx ]abba. Dak li tag]mel huwa li tinfexx tibki b]al tarbija. Nista’, g]alhekk, nag]mel sej]a lil dawk l-ixxurtjati li

g]andhom il-mezzi me]tie[a u nitlobhom sabiex “jaddottaw” tifel jew tifla g]al \mien [im- g]a, xahar jew sena u jipprovdulhom bajda u nofs ]alib – li jqumu b’kollox minn 3d sa 4d – jew g]al jiem ta’ l-iskola f’[img]a – minn 1/3 sa 1/8? Jekk xi ]add irid li jag]-mel dan, jien nag]\el tifel jew tifla biex ji-[u “addottati” g]al tant \mien, nie]u ]sieb sabiex ji[u kkunsinnati l-bajd u l-]alib u nag]ti kull opportunita’ lil dawk li jo]or[u l-flus g]at-tfal sabiex ikunu jistg]u jaraw lit-tifel jew tifla “tag]hom”. Jiena ni\gura lil dawk li j]obbu jag]mlu l-karita’ li ma jistg]ux jag]mlu ]a[a a]jar milli jiskansaw lil dawn it-tfal imsejknin mit-tbatija tal-[u].” Illum trid mitt g]ajn biex tfittex g]al xi tifel bid-debbulizza tal-[u] u tg]akkis

Tgħallmux lit-tfal x’jagħmel kulħadd imma dak li għandu jagħmel kulħadd

Dijonisju Mintoff, OFM

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ta’ mard ta’ dak i\-\mien. Il-]ila kbira tat-tobba, il-qawwa tal-medi`ina imma fuq kollox il-welfare state g]enu biex inqered dan l-g]adu qadim mill-iskejjel. U wasalna biex it-tfal tal-lum ming]ajr e``ezzjoni ja]dmu indaf u fer]ana fl-iskejjel kollha. L-akbar tfixkil g]all-progress ta’ l-edukazzjoni g]eb g]al kollox. Imma fuq din ix-xena sabi]a g]addej xi s]ab. Donnu li l-]ajja g]andha vizzju kattiv li tressaq dejjem g]adu [did biex jie]u post dak li b’ ]afna ]idma u ta]bit irnexxilna nirb]u. Id-debbulizza u l-[u] u l-mard li j[ibu werwru tant nies. Ir-ri\ultat ta’ dan it-twerwir sar it-toqol \ejjed tal-]xuna. Malta tinsab minn ta’ quddiem nett ta’ dan il-gwaj imxerred ma ]afna na]iet tal-Punent. U b’xorti ]a\ina l-obesita’ g]andha effett ikrah u tfixkel il-progress ta’ l-edukazzjoni daqs il-malnutrizzjoni. Tfal mitmug]in aktar milli jmisshom g]andhom telqa, bruda u apatija lejn il-]idma ta’ kuljum u lejn l-istudju daqs dawk li jieklu ftit jew xejn. Barra minn hekk it-tfal ikollhom flus jew mezzi biex jixtru ikel u xorb ]elu f’jum wie]ed aktar milli dari missirijiethom kienu jixtru f’sena. U dan qed juri rtubija u ]sara fi snienhom tant li qed in\idu nefqa kbira g]al fejqan tag]hom li tista’ tintefaq g]al missirijiethom bla xog]ol. L-g]alliema qeg]din i]abbtu wi``hom ma’ tfal bi tfixkil ie]or. G]add [mielu ta’ tfal ta’

l-iskola qed ibatu minn difetti f’g]ajnejhom. Aktar minn 6% tat-tfal ta’ l-iskejjel qed ibatu minn difett f’g]ajnejhom ka[un ta’ ]inijiet twal quddiem it-television jew jilag]bu bil-play station. Barra mill-]sara fi\ika f’g]ajnejhom qed ibatu wkoll minn di\ordnijiet mentali u disturbi morali, g]eja, ]ela ta’ żmien, log]ob bla heda, i\olament, tpa`pi`, chatting fuq l-internet. U infiq kbir fuq medi`ini li l-istat m’g]adux jifla] aktar g]alihom. Imma ag]ar minn dan kollu is-siment li jorbot is-sisien qed ixaqqaq xi konsenturi. Hawn min qed jixxennaq li jduq il-frotta tan-neo-liberali fejn l-istat jirtira kemm jista’ jkun mir-responsabbiltajiet so`jali tieg]u u jqis li l-privat hu dejjem a]jar. Kollox imbuttat mis-sa]]a tal-profitt. Qed jinbtu wkoll mew[iet ta’ razzi\mu vjolenti biex idardar l-im[iba ta’ xbieha ta’ Alla fi xbieha ta’ ]mie[ u qatran fejn tog]dos il-mibg]eda. Ji``aqalqu s-sisien ukoll jekk fl-iskejjel tag]na irridu studenti a]jar u mhux bnedmin a]jar. Flimkien ma’ g]erf akkademiku u kulturali rridu nedukaw g]al xhieda ta’ ]ajja personali. Is-siwi ta’ bniedem irid jitqies skond x’jaf u skond x’jg]ix. Li tg]id u tag]mel g]andhom isiru verb wie]ed fil-]ajja ta’ kull student. Malta te]tie[ idealisti u mhux opportunisti – nies li jag]tu – mhux nies li jie]du.

X’inhi l-vi\joni u r-realta’ g]all-istudent tal-lum? L-istudent qed i]oss hekk: Il-pajji\ tani ]afna u qed jag]tini ilma frisk. Imma dnub li qed jin]ela. U jien ma qed nie]u xejn. Kull ma jag]tini jg]addi mill-g]arbiel ta’ su``ess spejje\ ta’ ]addie]or. Jien bravu g]ax xi o]rajn ma g]addewx. Jien bravu g]ax nirrepeti tajjeb dak li jg]allmuni. U bqajt g]omri kollu nirremetti dak li ]addie]or qieg]ed fl-istonku tieg]i. Minn tieg]i ma ]are[ xejn. Kollox baqa’ fgat [o fija. Bqajt nie]u fija. U g]adni nibqa’ nie]u. Ma nafx xi tfisser tag]ti. Ilsieni qisu bi``a injama ċuqlajta t]abbat mas-saqfa ta’ ]alqi. }oss biss. Servizz xejn u qatt. Xi jwassal g]al dan? Jersqu madwar elfejn tifel u tifla g]all-e\ami tad-d]ul fl-iskejjel privati u tal-Knisja. Jg]addu biss 400. Tg]idx kemm jifir]u nieshom. U mkabbrin li firduhom so`jalment minn tfal o]ra. Issa ser jid]lu fi skejjel fejn hemm id-dixxiplina. Fejn hemm tfal ta’ familji tajba. Fejn hemm tfal jobdu. Firda so`jali – selezzjoni – kompetizzjoni – razzi\mu. Uliedhom jaslu hemm burned out jew ma kienux ta’ ]ila imma bil-pressjoni tal-papa’ u l-mama’, tal-privat fuq privat waslu biex da]lu. U jibqg]u ju\aw il-memorja biex jitg]allmu jirrepetu biss. u jduqu u jteg]mu u jibilg]u l-pilloli ta’ kull lewn li jag]tuhom il-psikjatri.

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Fl-iskejjel tal-Gvern u tal-Privat kollha hemm il-kopja tal-Kurrikulum. Ktieb sabi] b’intenzjonijiet mill-isba]. Magna Carta g]all-g]alliema. Il-vi\joni ma]suba u mixtieqa. Imma ma jistax jitwettaq. Kif tista’ ti\viluppa tifel jew tifla meta l-g]an a]]ari ta’ l-g]alliem u ta’ xi [enituri huwa l-e\ami? B’g]an a]]ari b]al dan ]add ma jirba] xejn. Jitlef kul]add. L-istudent li jg]addi u dak li ma jg]addix. Allura tg]iduli g]andna nne]]u l-e\amijiet? Inwie[eb: “Alla }ares!”. Imma l-e\ami g]andu jkun b]al ][ie[a termometru tad-deni. Tag]mel it-temperatura f’]alqek kull tant \mien biex tara intix b’sa]]tek jew marid. Isserra] rasek jekk int f’sa]]tek u tikkura ru]ek jekk int marid. U mhux tqum u torqod – 24 sieg]a kuljum bil- ][ie[a tat-temperatura f’]alqek jew ta]t abtek. Li kull sena tmur g]and tabib biex te\amina d-demm ]a[a tajba. L-g]an hu dejjem biex tgawdi l-]ajja. Imma fil-kamp ta’ l-edukazzjoni isir e\ami biex jaraw i\ommukx ]aj jew joqtluk. Iva ]ajja jew mewt g]al tifel jew tifla ta’ g]axar snin. }alluhom isiru e\amijiet b]ala benchmark u mhux giljottina. Il-Kurrikulum ma ja]dimx mhux g]ax mhux bi``a g]odda tajba. Imqass li flok li ji\bor id-dielja mill-]afna frieg]i li jimlewha b’g]enieqed bla sugu li qatt ma jag]mel inbid tajjeb jibqa’ maqful jissaddad. U d-dielja tinfexx f’weraq u tissalva

[[a. G]ax kif tista’ ti\viluppa dak li hu e\aminabbli biss? Kif tista’ ti\viluppa ]iliet personali u ]iliet `ivi`i? G]alhekk dan il-premju mwaqqaf 40 sena ilu jibqa’ rilevanti kull sena. G]ax a]na nibqg]u u nfittxu lil min jikkultiva ... min jibqa’ ji\bor. Iva nfittxu fl-iskejjel kollha. Nibqg]u ninkura[[ixxu mhux dak li jg]addi f’]alqu l-][ie[a tat-temperatura 24 sieg]a kuljum – mhux il-giljottina. Kif tista’ te\amina l- ]niena? it-tjubija? Ming]ajr dawn il-kurrikulum ikun dag]wa. {oya darba pin[a tifel bla sieq u ma jistax jag]mel pass. U ta]tu kiteb “Ikun imfa]]ar Alla” Kiteb dag]wa kbira. Dak it-tifel tal-pittura rawh ]afna tfal. Imma baqg]u mexjin img]a[[lin min]abba l-kompetizzjoni. Il-kbar isaqsu bin min hu. Jew g]andux passaport u dokumenti. Hux ismar jew abjad. Hux nisrani jew musulman. Hux Afrikan jew Ewropew. Dak it-tifel tal-pittura g]adu jistenna. Jistenna tifel ie]or li jnewwel spallejh biex jimxi mieg]u. Jilg]ab mieg]u. Jistudja mieg]u. U kull darba li ji[ri hekk ikun tassew imfa]]ar Alla. Kull sena nin[abru hawn biex ni``elebraw Jum it-Tjubija. G]ax nemmnu li l-]niena tag]ti l-identita’ lil Maltin. Ma nag]tux fjuri lil statwa tal-[ebel. Imma midalja tad-deheb lil wi`` uman. Il-]niena tkabbar il-kultura. Tistudja poe\ija. Tifra] jew tibki mal-poeta – mhux

tirrepeti b]al pappagall – imma t]oss it-ta]bita tal-qalb ma’ kull sillaba. Tifhem li kull daqqa ta’ pinzell ta’ pittur jew kull nota ta’ mu\i`ist tkun fet]et il-bieb ta’ qalbu biex nimir]u fix-xeni jew daqq tieg]u. Il-]niena tag]ti \-\ejt lill-magna tal-politiku biex ma jg]ejiex jew jaqta’ qalbu x’ ]in ja]dem qisu qed jag]\aq fl-ilma biex ikattar ix-xog]ol u jnaqqas il-faqar. Il-]niena tra\\an l-ekonomista biex ma jag]lifx biss it-ti[ie[a li tbid bajd tad-deheb. Il-]niena tqanqal lis-sa`erdot biex jippriedka l-kruha tad-dnub u jg]annaq ma’ qalbu lil midneb. Il-]niena tag]ti d-dawl lil dawk li saru g]omja g]at-tbatija tal-marid u l-fqir. Il-]niena tag]ti s-smig] lit-torox g]ax instaddu widnejhom u ma jiftakrux ]lief l-espressjoni qadima mozartjana ta’ “Cosi fan tutti.” Il-globalizzazzjoni tan-nies b’sa]]ithom fil-poter, fl-ekonomija, fin-negozju g]and-ha l-korsijiet spe`jali fl-Universitajiet u fl-iskejjel. Globalizzazzjoni li hija insult kontinwu li kull bniedem ]ieles li rassitu [o mer]la wa]da. L-istampa, it-T.V., il-kompjuter, l-internet da]lu u iddefsu f’nofs kull ]ajja – iddefsu fin-nofs fil-[abra tal-familja, fl-g]erf ta’ l-iskejjel, fis-skiet tal-kunventi – tassew medium – daqqa jinfurmaw u daqqa jimmanipulaw. U jxerrdu van[elu falz ta]t l-isem tal-progress. U l-folla tan-nies b’dawn l-arbli f’nofshom – tassew mass media – tfittex li

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\\omm il-pass. Iva pass wie]ed – nilbsu l-istess – nitkellmu l-istess slogan – inkejlu bl-istess uzin -ni\fnu l-istess storduti. Plurali\mu? Eluf ta’ nies jiċċaqilqu bi spaga f’idejn tlieta min-nies li jsiefru minn stazzjon g]all-ie]or biljett im]allas dejjem. In]arsu lejn l-ibliet ta- g]na. F’xi ]inijiet tara serbut ta’ karozzi wa]da ma’ l-o]ra rush hour ta’ fil-g]odu – mer]la – massa wa]da sejra g]ax-xog]-ol. L-istess fil-g]axija ji[u lura kollha flimkien g]all-maqjel – g]ajjiena u battala minnhom infushom – minn ]ajjithom – mil-liberta’ tag]hom. Hija x-xbiha tag]na lkoll. U bil-globalizzazzjoni u bil-kompetizzjoni ta’ suq ]ieles aktar tin[ema’ l-mer]la u l-massa misjuqa ma’ l-erbat irjie]. L-appell tag]na dal- g]odu hu wie]ed. M’a]niex inweg]du li a]na tal-Laboratorju tal-Pa`i ser nibdlu din is-so`jeta’ tal-massa. G]an-dna fidu`ja kbira li hemm “min jitlob g]alina li g]alkemm qe-g]din fil-massa m’a]niex tal-massa.” L-appell tag]na hu li nag]tu ru] lil din il-massa ji-[ifieri li ma jitilfux ftit wisg]a g]all-familja – wisg]a wkoll ta’ ftit liberta’ u intimita’ g]all-bniedem. U wisg]a fl-iskejjel tag]na, ftit ]in barra l-matematka e``, biex insawru t-tjubija fuq mudelli ta’ {wanni XXIII, Gandhi, Luther King u o]-rajn – valuri tat-tjubija, tad-dmir, tax-xog]ol, tal-]in tal-mistrie],

tal-familja. Ng]allmu lit-tfal li fid-dizzjunarju tal-]ajja valur ifisser prezz kbir – tant kbir li ebda somma ta’ flus m’hi bi\\ejjed biex t]allsu. Trid tbig] kollox. Tag]ti kollox. Trid tag]ti ]ajtek g]alih. U ]ajtek hi tieg]ek u g]alhekk tista’ tag]tiha fil-ftit ]in li tkun f’idejk... mhux f’idejn l-img]allem... mhux f’idejn l-iskola... mhux f’idejn il-familja... fil-]in ]ieles tieg]ek... g]alhekk voluntarju. Trid tnaqqas affarijiet o]ra ta’ pja`ir li j]alluk ilsir u jg]adduk minn tra[edji ta’ niket. {o Firenze hemm wa]da mill-aqwa opri ta’ Michelangelo mag]rufa b]ala “Schiavi Incompiuti” – figuri rashom ‘il barra u [isimhom g]adu ma-g]luq fl-ir]am. {isimhom baqa’ jib\a’ mid-daqqa ta’ l-iskarpell li jnaqqax is-superflu ... iqatta’ sakemm je]ilsu. Hemm min jg]id li Michelangelo ma la]aqx temm dan il-monument qabel miet. Imma mhux veru. Riedu biss simbolu ta’ dawk in-nies li jridu l-]elsien bla ma jaqsmu t-tbatija ta’ l-o]rajn. G]ax il-]elsien ma ji[ix bid-daqq tal-qniepen u l-baned. Tni\\el bandiera u ttella’ o]ra. U anqas billi tag]tih il-manna mis-sema. Il-poplu Lhudi ]are[ ]ieles mill-E[ittu. Inkesa bi lbies sabi]. Bena palazzi. Imma ma n]allx mill-ktajjen. }are[ mill-E[ittu imma l-E[ittu ma ]ari[x minn mo]]u. Mo]]u baqa’ lsir. Kristu organizza \ew-[ seminars famu\i. Mhux f’lukandi lussu\i. Wie]ed [o

g]alqa u ie]or f’nofs ta’ triq. {abar l-appostli f’nofs g]alqa u ressaqhom lejn professur. “Tg]allmu minnu” qalilhom. Tg]allmu mill-[ilju tal-widien. Iferrex il-fwie]a tieg]u anki fejn da]let ri]a ]a\ina. Irb]u l- ]a\en bit-tajjeb. Mhux tnew]u bin-negattiv imma xandru l-po\ittiv. Darb’o]ra xamm li l-appostli kienu qed ji[[ieldu g]-all-poter. Malajr malajr organizza seminar f’nofs ta’ triq. {abar l-appostli kollha. Qieg]ed tifel \g]ir f’]o[ru u intodu`ih b]ala professur. “Tg]allmu minnu” qalilhom. Dan \g]ir. G]andu b\onn l-g]ajnuna ta’ kollox minn ]addie]or. Min jg]in lil dan ]aqqu jkun il-kbir fostkom. Pajji\ hu kbir daqskemm hemm g]ajnuna g]a\-\g]ir. U din is-sena f’]o[orna qed inqeg]du mhux tifel imma tifla li la hi u anqas ommha u missierha qatt ma da]lu fil-Palazz. U a]na qeg]din nitolbu lill-President tar-Repubblika “Jekk jog][bok uriha lil Malta u G]awdex u g]idilhom: Tg]allmu minnha g]ax qed tibni tassew Malta tal-[ejjieni.” U nfa]]ar lill-g]alliema u l-[enituri u nfakkarhom dak li kiteb {wanni XXIII lill-g]alliema u lill-[enituri:”Tg]allmux lit-tfal x’jag]mel kul]add imma dak li g]andu jag]mel kul]add.” U lit-tfal ng]idilhom: Kura[[. Ag]mlu kapolavur minn ]ajjitkom u lil Malta tag]-na ag]mluha benniena ta’ nies ]ielsa. “ Grazzi.

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 22

Since the illegal immigrants were detained in Lyster Barracks, Hal Far, just across the road, they became our neighbours. From the Peace Lab we heard them singing or shouting. We knew every one of them, child or adult, by name. We met the Africans face to face. We listened to what they had to say and read their body language. Our rapport with the people was easy and immediate. Our agenda was never judgemental but receptive.

Five years ago the first group were accommodated at Ta' Kandja. Six months later the second group were confined to Lyster Barracks.

We promised to help in their endless suffering both during detention and their forced deportation. We shared their experience so that the Maltese public and foreign human rights movements may see the detention of these asylum seekers for what it is. And we never failed to give up because of our limits of a non-governmental organisation.

The Peace Lab never turned back on conflict and suffering. We understand that there are different views and reasons as to where the blame lies. But for the majority, many years after the end of colonialism, African governments failed to give their own people basic education and health care. Life for many of them who live on the land is difficult and insecure - meaning that most of them seek a better life elsewhere. AIDS, with its disastrous effects, is wiping out a large section of the working population and has entered the vicious spiral as both cause and effect of economic deprivation.

Conversations with the illegal immigrants will always reveal love of their country. Yet they are

prepared to leave their lives and abandon all the savings they can muster to escape from their country of birth. Meanwhile, detention and open camps that mushroom around every military space in Malta are full to capacity with asylum seekers, refugees or illegal immigrants granted humanitarian status. It is a bleak picture and by most measures is getting bleaker.

Our close relationships with Franciscans from around the world continually inspire the efforts of the Peace Lab to share the ministry to care for the poor and marginalised. The Peace Lab launched many initiatives towards helping the hopeless. We are indebted to George Abela, our legal adviser and to Joe Abela MP, our coordinator. They worked hard to help them in their struggle to regain the dignity lost by living in very bad conditions and by avoiding deportation.

Besides advocacy, we offered space, help and shelter to accommodate in our own residence a number of them passed on to us by the authorities. It is a little portion. Something very familiar with the upbringing of every Franciscan. And now on World Refugee Day

Peace Lab appeal

by Fr Dionysius Mintoff, OFM VALLETTA — from the Times of Malta 20.06.06

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 23

we are echoing the fact that Africa is at the bottom of all league tables that measure human quality of life. They have been living with us for the past three years. That is the reason why we send a message every year. What now? The message is the Crucifix.

The Peace Lab knows the situation both in Africa and in Malta. We know many of the asylum seekers who locally work with the refuse sector or construction industry. We know that our nation is one that insists on paying as little as possible for goods and services. So determined immigrants are continuing to feel the bosses' addiction to cheap labour. The sufferings will increase these months when the heat will get stronger. So we asked one of our council members, Joe Cassar from Luqa, who proves to be a good, established artist, to help us to convey the message; to provide a work of art that reveals slowly their suffering. It is of course a work of art that blends religion and human injustice. Mr Cassar captured the inspiration and the white Crucifix is the message for this year.

The features of the figure are African. Our close position with the continent demands it. However other world areas have the same situations. The head is shorn of all hair, as no space for thought is left, not even for the external crown of thorns.... the reason is that the artist feels that the crown of thorns is internal. This thought comes from

the artist's personal conviction that Christ suffered most at the garden of Gethsemane. The face expresses the crucified figure's acceptance of the pain of life which transcends humanity into the Divine.

The figure is in white because the white races are also suffering in a different way; hence suffering is beyond the racial aspect. Humanity, in suffering, is one. This Crucifix tries to be beyond racial prejudice.

The main aspect which strikes the observer is of course the missing legs and feet of the figure. The artist tries to answer this by posing the following questions:

Is the illegal immigrant without hands when he cannot develop himself in his own country due to insecurity from religious, racial and political conflicts? And also when he is further barred from this improvement in the country receiving him? Are the white youth in the developed world not without hands when all they are offered is pure materialism, exchanging the unlimited for the limited? Therefore throwing the proper tool for spiritual enhancement away? Thus the culture of death, abortion where the human is cut to pieces, euthanasia where the machine mentality of numbers declares the efficient and the non-productive, discarding the human spirit in the manual product. Is the modern chip cutting away the hand, that marvel of mechanical and

spiritual combination, which is beyond explanation? Here Michelangelo's depiction of creation through God and man's hands comes to mind.

And now the feet, that tool of movement which transcends the human through time with ever changing day-to-day experiences, each an instant jewel of life.

Are not an illegal immigrant's feet cut off when he is walled in areas in his own country, starved from movement except in an illegal way through untold dangers in desert and sea? He is afterwards penned in behind wire cages in the recipient country - without feet.

Is today's technology supposed to make us freer? Yet it is infringing upon persona; freedom cutting our feet, putting us more under Big Brother control under the new name of "Globalisation". Feet are restricted by today's crime in cities and the recent phenomenon of terror. Is it true that one sometimes gets the feeling that what was free yesterday is becoming restricted today?

Finally, a word on the crooked cross used. It is taken from a discarded branch of an old orange tree which for a careful observer is nothing but straight. For Mr Cassar it represents humanity's cross resulting from the sins of the mind, which is doubt, and that of the heart, which is fear. Fear of responsibility of life ikompli p. 14

L-A{BAR LULJU - AWISSU 2006 24

EDITUR

fra marcellino micallef ofm provofm@vol.net.mt

Kunvent Tal-Franġiskani

291, Triq San Pawl, Valletta VLT 07

Tel. 21238218 Fax. 21231266

F’ DIN IL-{AR:A

Lulju - Awissu 2006

Il-grazzja tal-bidu tagħna 3 Niftakru bil-ferħ u bi gratitudni 6 Ċelebrazzjoni tagħna stess 7 Sarkofagu tal-Beatu Nazju Falzon 10 Informazzjoni 12 Jimmy Zammit, OFM 25 Sena Presbiteru 13 Jirtira mill-ħidma pastorali 14 Pinto Chapel - Valletta Waterfront 15 Tirbaħ il-Premju tat-Tjubija 17 Peace Lab Appeal 22 Fraternitas 24

FESTI U BIRTHDAYS

L U L J U

13. Fra Nerik Cassar 1. Fra :u]epp B. Xuereb 14. Fra Kamillu Aquilina Fra George Bugeja Fra Charles Wickman 4. Fra :u]epp Vella Fra Charles Diacono Fra Raymond Fra Charles Grech Camilleri 25. Fra Christopher Farrugia 7. Fra Albert Gauci 18. Fra :or; Aquilina 27. Fra :ustinu Sciortino

A W I S S U 04. Fra Jimmy Zammit 04. Fra Anthony Vella 24 Fra Albert Gauci 11. Fra Jimmy Zammit 31. Fra Ray Scicluna 13. Fra Eddie Pace Fra Raymond Falzon 14. Fra Edward Zammit 24. Fra Albert Micallef 31. Fra :wann Abela

Awguri u Xewqat Sbieħ!

Fl-okkazjoni ta’ Jum ir-Refuġjati (20.06.06), dan il-kurċifiss tqiegħed fil-knisja ta’ San Franġisk il-Ħamrun. Ara l-artiklu ta’ Fra Dijonisju Mintoff, OFM li ġie ppublikat fit-Times of Malta u fil-Franciscans International. Ara paġni 22 u 23..