Ritratt: Archdiocese of MaltaTista’ taqra bil-
Malti.
At a mass for non-Maltese Catholics living in Malta, Archbishop Charles Scicluna urged them to be strong in their faith, stating that Malta needed their witness and to be enriched by them.
The English-language mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina, and involved the participation of various priests serving Malta’s foreign Catholic population. Masses are regularly held in various foreign languages to serve the spiritual needs of these diverse communities, as highlighted on the Archdiocese of Malta’s website.
In his homily, Archbishop Scicluna said that he hoped that the congregation felt welcome in their adoptive home, and stressed that Malta needed them – and their faith.
“As we welcome you to these islands, my dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to be strong in your faith,” he said. “We need your witness; we need to be enriched by your faith, your hope, and your love. We also need to be reminded that we are one great family, a global family.”
He said that he hoped that their own encounter with the faith of the Maltese – “which is at times weak, not always very strong, but faith it is” – is enriched by the manner in which the Maltese celebrate their feasts and in the beautiful Holy Week celebrations.
“Be part of it; feel part of our family and of the way we celebrate our faith,” he encouraged the congregation.
“But do not forget your roots. Your roots are precious; a great part of your heart remains there,” the Archbishop continued. “Never forget your families, your grandparents, your ancestors — they are part of you, and they are also with us in the communion of saints.”
“And whenever you return home, be kind enough to say a good word about Malta.”
