Rev. Fr Raymond Francalanza OSA was appointed as the new Parish Priest for Saint Augustine’s Parish in Valletta. He took office after the celebration of the Provincial Chapter held last April by the Order of Saint Augustine in Malta.
Rev Dr Raymond Francalanza OSA was born in 1965 in Żejtun. In 1985 made his novitiate in Tolentino, Italy. In 1988 he undertook his Solemn Profession in the Augustinian Order and in 1990 he was ordained priest by H.E. the Archbishop Mgr. G. Mercieca. He read for his Licentiate in Sacred Theology and graduated in 1991 with the thesis “The Mystery of the Church and the writings of St Augustine”. He pursued his studies in Sacred Theology and graduated with a Doctorate S.Th.D. in 2009 with the thesis “Sign and Signification – Networks of discernment in the Church”. Fr. Francalanza has been very active in the Augustinian Order and has occupied a number of positions. In 1990 he was responsible for initial formation and vocations in the Maltese Augustinian Province. He held the post of Rector at St. Augustine College, Pieta between 1994-2000. In 1996 he was appointed a member of the Parliamentary Commission on Education and between 2002-2010 he was appointed as Provincial Counselor in the Maltese Augustinian Province and served on several occasions as the Vicar Provincial. In the years 2006-2010 Fr. Francalanza was appointed Prior of the Augustinian community at the Mother of Good Counsel Church, Paceville. In his extensive pastoral work, which has made him a much sought-after spiritual director with couples and youths, he is responsible for conducting retreats, formation seminars and life coaching with religious and lay groups alike.
The Augustinian community is present in Valletta since 1571. H. E. the Archbishop of Malta M. Gonzi erected the Parish of Saint Augustine in 1968.