Our father in faith, St Paul the Apostle, encouraged Malta’s early Christian community to pray eagerly for the civil authorities “to lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Tim 2:2)
This is also our prayer today as we congratulate the President-Elect Myriam Spiteri Debono, on the day she formally begins her service to the State as President of Malta.
In Malta’s National Anthem, we pray for the blessings of sound judgment, mercy and health. Dear President, may God always adorn you with these gifts.
May God bless you with the sound judgment necessary to promote the basic principles of the Constitution at every instance, the continuous need for respectful dialogue, the freedom from even the slightest suspicion of corruption and clientelism, the rule of law, the safeguarding of the fundamental rights of every human being, and the protection of the natural environment.
May God continue to adorn you with the gift of mercy and an innate sense of social justice. May your gaze be of comfort to the downhearted, your word provide guidance to the confused, your example be of encouragement to all those who serve without fanfare and in total self-giving to our brethren who require our authentic compassion, solidarity and support.
May God grant you the physical and moral strength to fulfil your responsibilities with care, courage, joy, serenity and enthusiasm! May the Lord continue to bless you with determination, patience, and, above all, with a sense of humour which will alleviate the burden that comes with the responsibilities of your institutional role. Be a strong shield for the weak and the marginalised, for the voiceless. Protect life from its very beginning to its natural end. Do not be afraid! The Lord will be your strength!
May your gaze be of comfort to the downhearted, your word provide guidance to the confused…
Our people yearn for unity and peace. We pray for you, dear President, so that during your term you will continue to build upon what your predecessors started and promote a spirit of collaboration, loyalty and harmony among all Maltese and Gozitans.
As you represent Malta on happy and sad occasions, both at home and abroad, we ask you to promote Malta as a sweet land surrounded by sea, as a safe port that offers shelter to human beings throughout their life journey!
God be with you, always!
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Archbishop of Malta
Mass Readings
Reading I: Act 3:11-26
Psalm: 8:2ab.5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading II: 1 Tim 2:1-4
Gospel: Lk 24:35-48