Gozo (Malta). On 7 July 2022, the two Communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Sliema and Gozo, of the Southern Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel (IMR), with pupils, children, young people, alumni, parents, friends, and benefactors, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the FMA Institute at the Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu, at Gozo, with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Mario Grech and the Bishop of Gozo, Msgr. Anton Teuma. Among the concelebrants were Msgr. George Borg, chaplain of the Gozo Community for more than 40 years; Fr. Eric Cachia, and some Salesians of Don Bosco from the Preprovince of Mary Help of Christians (MLT), and other priests.
In his homily, Cardinal Grech, commenting on the passage from the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana, thanked God for the gift of the Salesian charism in Gozo and Malta and, underlining the active participation of Mary, who was not indifferent to a request for help , spoke of the solicitous presence of the FMA in the mission among the children and young people of the archipelago of Malta and said, “It is important to renew our Christian commitment within society, to listen to the cry of the men and women of today, and accompany them so that they may encounter Christ, who will fill their life with joy.”
The readings and prayers of the faithful were proclaimed by some representatives of the students and groups of the realities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The FMA, past pupils, and deceased benefactors were also remembered in the celebration. A particularly significant moment was the renewal of the vows of all the FMA present.
At the end of the celebration, the President of the Past Pupils of Gozo addressed a few words of gratitude for the Salesian charism in Malta. In Victoria – Gozo, Mary Help of Christians Community animates the Past Pupils Union.
Sr. María de los Angeles Diaz, Animator of St. John Bosco Community of Sliema, then read a message sent by the Superior General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola. Sr. Antoinette Pace, FMA who for 38 years was Director of the Laura Vicuña School in Gozo, gave to Cardinal Grech and Bishop Teuma two paintings made for the occasion by the Gozitan artist Paolo Camilleri Cauchi.
The presence of the children and young people of Main’s Joy Summer Camp who, accompanied by the FMA of the Sliema Community, spent a joyful day together on the beach of Gozo, which ended with the Celebration at Ta ‘Pinu, made the festivities joyful, helping to give praise to the Lord for the graces granted to the FMA Institute in these 150 years.
