St Michael Hospice in Santa Venera was inaugurated today, enabling Hospice Malta to expand its dedicated palliative services to over 1,500 patients annually, while continuing to uphold its fundamental values of care, compassion and dignity.
This is a milestone for Hospice Malta, which first opened its doors in 1989, and will enhance palliative care in Malta through its expanded community services, improved facilities, for day therapy and inpatient services, as well as educational facilities.
St Michael Hospice is housed on the former premises of the Adelaide Cini Institute, a 15,000-square-metre property valued at €25 million.
Today’s inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including President Myriam Spiteri Debono, who is Hospice Malta’s patron; Prime Minister Robert Abela Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, and Hospice Malta Chairperson Bernadette Bonnici Kind. Also present were the founding members, sponsors, management, staff, and Hospice Malta volunteers.
The event opened with a concelebrated Mass – held in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, located in the courtyard of the former Cini Institute – presided over by Archbishop Scicluna, together with founder member Mgr Louis Camilleri, the Santa Venera Parish Priest Maurice Abela O.Carm, and Hospice Malta spiritual director, Fr Alfred Vassallo OCD. Mass was followed by the inauguration ceremony.
St Michael Hospice covers an area of 11,000 square meters across two floors, complemented by an additional 6,800 square meters of gardens. Over 60 per cent of the property has been preserved as gardens or open spaces, ensuring a serene environment to benefit palliative care residents and their families.
In 2016, during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Archdiocese of Malta decided to promote a specific work of mercy that responded to a pressing need: dignified end-of-life services to those who need palliative care.
To this end, Hospice Malta was engaged as a natural and competent partner. Then, in 2018, the Archdiocese handed over the Cini Institute on a 50-year commodatum agreement (gratuitous loan) to Hospice Malta.
This gesture by Archbishop Scicluna reflected a shared commitment to the sanctity of life and a profound commitment by the Church to uphold the right to life and the dignity of the human person.
Over the years, this project has also been possible through the support of the Government of Malta, NDSF, EU funds, Project Green, banks, foundations, the business community, and individual benefactors.
Hospice Malta Chairperson, Bernadette Bonnici Kind said “the opening of St Michael Hospice represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream and will continue to stand as a beacon of quality care for those requiring palliative support.”
She thanked all benefactors, including the Maltese and Gozitan public, whose contributions helped make this vision a reality. She emphasised that while the inauguration marked a significant achievement, continued support was essential for the ongoing operations of the Hospice.
During the inauguration, Archbishop Scicluna extended the Church in Malta’s heartfelt congratulations to Hospice Malta.
“It is with great satisfaction that we witness the transformation of the Cini Institute building, entrusted by the Church to Hospice, into a warm and welcoming space dedicated to providing essential palliative care services. These services are a profound expression of compassion, as they uphold and safeguard the dignity of the human person during one of life’s most sensitive and meaningful moments—when individuals are invited to reflect on the true essence of life and recognise its priceless value.”
Prime Minister Robert Abela praised Hospice Malta for its invaluable contribution to the community and reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering support for NGOs dedicated to social well-being. He highlighted that, through strategic investments, including funding from the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), Malta now boasts a state-of-the-art palliative care facility designed to provide dignity and comfort to those in need.
“The Malta I envision is a compassionate nation, one that embodies love and care. A Malta where every family matters and receives support during challenging times. To families facing moments of hardship, I assure you that this Government will remain steadfast in standing with you and offering assistance when it’s needed most,” Prime Minister Robert Abela said.
The President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, attended the inauguration ceremony. In her address, she acknowledged the sterling contribution of Hospice Malta in the administration of palliative care and augured that the new premises shall be instrumental in widening the services offered by Hospice Malta to more patients and their families.
During the restoration works for St Michael Hospice, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, located in the central courtyard of the building and distinguished by its unique Neo-Romanesque design—the only one of its kind in Malta—was also meticulously restored. Daily Mass will be celebrated in this church, which will remain under the management of the Archdiocese of Malta.
One of the entrances to the Cini Institute, located on St Joseph’s High Street, will be used to showcase objects and artefacts of the Venerable Adelaide Cini, founder of this historic building, who devoted her life to the care of victims of prostitution and their children.
Adding further significance to this project, the Archdiocese donated a mosaic of St Michael the Archangel, symbolising mercy, hope and the defence of human dignity, to grace the façade of St Michael Hospice. The mosaic is the work of Gozitan artist Fr Robert Gauci.
To learn more about St Michael Hospice and discover ways to support its mission, visit Hospice Malta’s website at hospicemalta.org.
Background on Adelaide Cini and the Cini Institute
Adelaide Cini was born in 1838 and passed away in 1885 at the age of 46. From a young age, she felt a calling to join the Augustinian Cloistered Sisters at the Monastery of St Catherine in Valletta. However, the abbess recognised that Adelaide’s true vocation lay beyond the monastery walls. Shortly after, she began working with young girls who were victims of poverty, violence and prostitution in the Grand Harbour area. Adelaide welcomed them into her home in Santa Venera, providing them with a safe refuge and helping them rebuild their lives.
The Cini family owned a pasta factory on St Joseph’s High Street in Santa Venera, and upon her father’s death, Adelaide inherited half of the property. After reaching an agreement with her siblings and purchasing the remainder of the family home and building, she focused on establishing the ‘Conservatorio Cini’ institute. The Sisters of Charity continued the work Adelaide initiated at the institute.
Adelaide Cini’s life, devoted to serving the needs of young girls and unwed mothers, earned her the title of venerable, granted by Pope Pius X on 23 February 1910. Her remains rest in the Sacred Heart Church, within the Institute.
During World War II, the Cini Institute was repurposed as a maternity hospital, providing vital services during a challenging time.
On 16 October 2019, Archbishop Charles Scicluna reopened the cause for Adelaide Cini’s beatification.