News from the Church in Malta
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On the occasion of Benedict XVI’s traditional Christmas meeting with university students, a World Youth Day icon was returned to Rome from Madrid. The image of the Virgin Mary Sedes Sapientiae (Seat of Wisdom) traveled throughout Spain in preparation for the 2011 WYD.
Spanish Father Ángel Alba, staff member of the Vicariate of Rome’s university ministry, spoke to ZENIT about the importance of this event… Read more »
On Friday 9th December 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. presided over the parish assembly of Mdina, at the convent of the Sisters of St. Dorothy.
Click on the photos to enlarge. The photos of the Archbishop’s events may be obtained from PHOTOCITY, Valletta… Read more »
A group of Christians in India initiated a national prayer campaign urging lawmakers to address a pending bill that seeks to curb violence targeting religious minorities, reported Fides, the Vatican missionary news agency.
Members of the All India Christian Council, an organization that promotes religious freedom for all minorities, particularly Christians, launched the initiative to raise awareness of the “Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill.”
John Dayal, general secretary of the council, told Fides the bill is urgently needed “to put an end to hate campaigns and to restore confidence in minorities.” Proposed earlier in 2011 by the National Advisory Council, the bill has yet to reach parliament but has gained support from many religious minority groups and citizens of India… Read more »
L-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda llum, l-Erbgħa 21 ta’ Diċembru 2011, ffirmaw ftehim dwar iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festi reliġjużi. Dan wara li ż-żewġ naħat daħlu f’eżerċizzju ta’ diskussjonijiet bir-rieda li ċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet esterni tal-Festi Reliġjużi jkunu jixirqu dejjem iżjed l-ispirtu Nisrani u soċjali. Id-diskussjonijiet segwew il-publikazzjoni tad-dokument konsultattiv ‘Nirrestawraw il-Festi Flimkien’ fil-5 ta’ Ottubru 2009.
Permezz tal-Ftehim iffirmat illum, l-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda ddikjaraw li sar qbil fuq il-paragrafi kollha li jinsabu elenkati f’Appendiċi A (anness) u li jifforma parti ntegrali ta’ dan il-Ftehim… Read more »
Christmas Tree in St Peter's Square
The Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, a practice started by John Paul II and now a firm tradition, was lit last Friday evening.
The 30.5-meter (100-foot) spruce, with its 2,500 ornaments, came from the Ukrainian region of the Zakarpattia. Several thousand people watched as the lights were turned on by a small Ukrainian boy dressed in his country’s national costume… Read more »
On Sunday 18th December 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. received many members of the public who wished to deliver Christmas greetings to both himself and to Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca. Throughout the activity, the childrens choir from Mtarfa played and sang Christmas carols.
Click on the photos to enlarge… Read more »
Benedict XVI is encouraging the sick to take comfort in Christmas, even amidst their daily experience of Good Friday.
The Pope made this invitation at the conclusion of today’s general audience, when he offered his traditional final greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds.
“Dear young people,” he said, “may your hearts be ready to welcome Jesus, who saves us by the power of his love.”
He encouraged the sick, “who experience more keenly the weight of the cross, may the approaching Christmas feasts bring you serenity and comfort.”
Finally, the Pontiff invited newlyweds to “grow ever more in the love that Jesus came to give us by his birth.”
VATICAN CITY, DEC… Read more »
Illum il-Knisja nediet ‘spot’ għat-televiżjoni li juri kif il-fidi hija attwali. Fil-filmat qasir, jidhru żgħażagħ mill-Band SALT qed idoqqu l-mużika li kitbu huma stess biex ifaħħru ‘l Alla.
Il-Knisja f’Malta ppreżentat it-tieni minn serje ta’ spots bit-tema ‘Għix il-Fidi’. L-ispot li jiffoka fuq iż-żgħażagħ se jintwera fuq l-istazzjonijiet televiżivi lokali kollha.
Agħfas hawn biex tkompli taqra dan l-artiklu mis-sit www.il-gensillum.com Read more »
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On Friday 16th December 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. celebrated Mass for school children on the occasion of Christmas, at St. John’s CoCathedral, Valletta.
Click on the photos to enlarge… Read more »
WYD 2013
The official dates of the 2013 World Youth Day have been established: July 23-28.
The dates were chosen at a meeting between the Pontifical Council for the Laity and a local organizing committee, in Rome since Monday for planning.
The committee is made up of the archbishop of Rio, Orani João Tempesta, and two other bishops and other officials. … Read more »
