All eyes will be on the Vatican today when Pope Benedict XVI will declare Blessed George Preca a saint - the first to originate from the Maltese Islands. As the local bishops rightly stated in their pastoral letter, issued this weekend to mark the canonisation: "This is a historical event that fills us all with great spiritual joy; but it is also an occasion through which God wishes to speak to... his people in this island."

Referring to Blessed George as "a priest sent by God", we fully agree that this pause for reflection should be an opportunity to "recall that we too received the call to holiness and... were created to arrive where Blessed George did". The bishops appealed to Maltese everywhere to increase their "commitment to grow in holiness". This is a holiness that brings with it serenity, the total abandonment of the self to the will of God in His service.

As they rightly pointed out: "The closer we get to God, the nearer we get to each other!" For we all form part of one family with God at the head. A holier society is a more humane society, they argue. The bishops go on to quote our new saint, who said so simply and effectively: "Faith is everything, my children." It is the total abandonment of the selfish self to the will of the Creator and a trust even in the unattainable.

"When we look at the world around us with the eyes of faith, and live in the light of eternity, we discover that we are created by God and our heart will only find peace if we follow His will," the bishops urged. Life takes on a new meaning, one that defies logic. We are no longer "entranced by idols or false gods" of the modern age but this faith "helps us to perform everything with one final aim: that of pleasing God always and in all things".

This weekend all the people of Malta and Gozo can say they have at least one thing in common. Instead of looking for opportunities to divide this island population, whether it be through politics, band clubs and the setting up of rival societies and associations, let us come together. Blessed George should belong to everyone and no one so long as, through his intercession, we are drawn closer to God.

Let us take on board Blessed George's invitation to be "friends of the Gospel" and seek to achieve the transformational experience through the great vision and legacy that this humble man left. Yet Blessed George's message needs to be continually 'translated' to embrace the new media that technology and modern mass communications dictate. For the Word of God must reach all sections of society through the media that they feel most comfortable with.

Still, as the bishops note in their concluding reflection, having received the Word of God, we must open our hearts to Him, through the intercession of Blessed George, in an intimate relationship of prayer, like he did. "Prayer will put us continually in the presence of God, and we acknowledge and honour Him as our greatest and only benefactor."

The canonisation of Blessed George is not an end but a beginning, a new beginning for us all. The Church in Malta and Gozo will in the coming days and weeks seek to bring St George Preca closer to the people while drawing the people closer to God. Let all those who have turned away from the faith, lost the faith or feel excluded from the faith reassess their position.

For Malta's new saint speaks a universal language that will ensure we adopt the right priorities in life, follow the right inspiration and strengthen our inner resolve to heal ourselves, in the interests of our redemption and those around us.