News

New courses for liturgical music animation and choral singing by the Academy of Sacred Music

Courses begin in November 2024 and February 2025

The Academy of Sacred Music Francesco Azopardi of the Archdiocese of Malta is offering a variety of courses designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in music ministry within the Church.

The courses for the academic year 2024-2025 include Animating Liturgy, tailored for those currently involved in or aspiring to participate in liturgical animation (starting in November 2024); The Organ in the Liturgy, intended for organists already serving or planning to serve in parishes and wishing to strengthen their knowledge of the organist’s ministry (starting in February 2025); the Christian songwriting programme Ħarbex (starting in February 2025); and Singing during Liturgy for priests (starting in May 2025)… Read more »

“Too many people are being killed in the Middle East every day” – Pope Francis

  King Baudouin Stadium (Brussels)

I thank the Archbishop for his kind words. I express heartfelt gratitude to Their Majesties the King and Queen, as well as to Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, for their presence and hospitality in these days.

Likewise, I extend my gratitude to all who, in many ways, have worked together to organize this Visit. In a special way, I thank the elderly and the sick who have offered their prayers… Read more »

50th anniversary of Monsignor Joseph Mercieca’s Episcopal Ordination

L-Isqof Emeritu Ġużeppi Mercieca ġie ordnat isqof bħal-lum 50 sena ilu. Huwa kien ġie kkonsagrat isqof nhar id-29 ta’ Settembru tal-1974, xahrejn wara li ġiet ippubblikata n-nomina tiegħu b’mod uffiċjali.

L-Isqof Mercieca li dak iż-żmien kien iservi f’Ruma, ġie mgħarraf li ntagħżel biex jassisti lill-Arċisqof ta’ Malta Mons. Mikiel Gonzi bħala Isqof Awżiljarju. Hu kien għad kellu biss 45 sena.

Mons… Read more »

Archbishop Scicluna to participate in the second session of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican

Archbishop Charles Scicluna has left Malta today for the Vatican to continue contributing to the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, which will be held from 2nd to 27th October 2024. He is one of 464 participants worldwide who will have the opportunity to listen, reflect and pray on the Church’s pastoral mission.

This second and final session of the Synod builds on last year’s first session, focusing on three key questions: how the Church can serve more fully as a sign and instrument of union with God and of the unity of all humanity; how it can share its gifts in service to the Gospel more effectively; and what processes, structures and institutions are needed in a truly missionary and synodal Church… Read more »

Pope Expels 10 Members from Peru-Based Catholic Movement After Archbishop Scicluna’s Investigation

Photo: Miguela Xuereb

Il-Papa Franġisku keċċa 10 persuni wara li minn investigazzjoni mmexxija mill-Arċisqof Charles Scicluna, ġew żvelati abbużi ta’ naturi differenti fil-moviment Kattoliku Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (Sodalità tal-Ħajja Nisranija – SDV), fil-Perù.

Din it-tkeċċija ta’ 10 persuni fosthom isqof, saċerdoti kif ukoll lajċi, ġiet wara li x-xahar li għadda, il-fundatur ta’ SDV Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo tkeċċa mill-SDV skont il-Kodiċi tal-Liġi Kanonika… Read more »

Pope to civil authorities: Europe needs Belgium to build bridges to peace

Pope Francis highlights Belgium’s place in the centre of Europe as he meets with the country’s civil authorities, and denounces clerical sexual abuse as “the Church’s shame.”

By Christopher Wells

In his address to civil authorities on his first full day in Belgium, Pope Francis praised Belgium as a bridge “between the continent and the British Isles, between the Germanic-and French-speaking regions, between southern and northern Europe.”

Despite its small size, he said, Belgium is “a bridge enabling concord to spread, and disputes to abate”… Read more »

Pope Francis visits Luxembourg and Belgium

The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, offers details of Pope Francis’ 46th Apostolic Journey abroad, which takes him to Luxembourg and Belgium, saying the visit bears the theme of peace “at a time when the continent risks being pulled into conflict again.”

Pope Francis will soon embark on a new international journey, the 46th of his pontificate, when he travels to Luxembourg and Belgium on September 26-29… Read more »

The Gospel of the day: 27th September

Readings of the day

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Psalm: 42 (43):1,2,3,4

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone… Read more »

Bishop Galea-Curmi: Lack of respect stems from a lack of peace in the heart

Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi has stated that when respect for one another is absent in society, it is because “there is no peace in the heart,” which leads to “sowing seeds of hatred.”

In an interview on Għal Kulħadd on RTK103, the Bishop was asked to comment on the recent attack on police officers in Hamrun. He remarked that while we often discuss conflicts and wars in other countries, we should also focus on what is happening within our own communities in Malta… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Against the devil’s deception, Jesus protects us

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Immediately after His baptism in the Jordan, Jesus “was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Mt 4:1) – this is what the Gospel of Matthew says. The initiative is not Satan’s, but God’s. Going into the wilderness, Jesus obeys an inspiration of the Holy Spirit; He does not fall into an enemy snare, no, no! … Read more »