Presbyteral Ordination in Gozo

June 30 was another red letter day for the Gozo Diocese. Deacons Michael Curmi from Xaghra and Joshua Muscat from Nadur received the Presbyterial Ministry from Bishop Mario Grech.

The Cathedral in Gozo was full well before 6 p.m., when Concelebrated Mass was due to start. The congregation included the families of the two deacons, relatives, friends and parishioners not only from from Xaghra and Nadur but also from the parish of Santissima Trinita' of Turin. Over 170 parishioners, among them many young people, came from Nichelino to be present for the ordination of Joshua Muscat, who spent a year carrying out pastoral work there as a Seminarian. He will be returning as a priest, replacing the late Fr Joe Galea from Fontana, who passed away earlier this year.

Bishop Grech presided over Mass, in which over 60 priests concelebrated. The rite consisted of the two deacons being called to confirm their presence. Fr Anthony Teuma, Seminary Rector, then asked the bishop to ordain them both to the priesthood.

In the homily, the Bishop addressed the prospective priests, touching on three aspects related to their new ministry. He quoting from letters of St Peter telling his followers to look after God's flock assigned to them. The Bishop then dwelt on them being witnesses to God in suffering. Finally he entreated them to tend to God's flock heartily and not as something imposed on them.

The Bishop ended his homily: "My dear ones, you who will be having the gift of this presbyterial ministry, I repeat: 'Make this gift work, not through your capabilities but through the power of God, to Him all glory and praise in Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.' "

The ordination then followed and when this was over, the Bishop presented the two new priests to the Congregation who responded with a deafeningly, long applause. Mass continued with the new priests concelebrating, one on each side of their Bishop. It was at around 8.30 p.m. that the Bishop gave his pastoral blessing bringing the ceremony to an end.