There is a thriving Catholic community run by the MSSP in the area known as L-Oratorju in Birkirkara. Joanne Cocks catches up with Fr Martin Cilia to get a glimpse of the changes that have taken place.

Hundreds of cars drive past the small church just off the Birkirkara Bypass unaware of the hive of activity buzzing away inside it and in the adjacent building known as L-Oratorju.

Only a few years ago the Oratory of Birkirkara was in decline. It has, however, slowly and gradually, been given a new lease of life and is now a thriving Christian community.

The Oratory has been painstakingly modernised and converted into a centre of catechism and liturgy, fulfilling and developing the role for which it was built 100 years ago. In fact, it originally started out as a centre for children’s catechism and a youth centre.

Today the centre not only offers catechism for many children but also provides formation and catechesis for young people and adults.

The Oratory director, Fr Martin Cilia, who is the first old boy to become its director, said people have always hungered for the Word of God.

“There is a thirst, a craving for meaning. It’s not true that people do not want to listen to the Word of God.

A packed church during one of the many Liturgical celebrations.A packed church during one of the many Liturgical celebrations.

“People do not want to waste their time. They need more spirituality. We expect our communities to remain faithful. But they want more,” Fr Martin said passionately.

His love for the Word has filtered down to people from all across Malta who frequent both the Oratory and its church.

“Here we have managed to create a centre of prayer and formation, which seem to be separate elsewhere.

“The feeling of community is very strong, even though people come from all corners of Malta – Mellieħa, Birżebbuġa, Rabat and Cottonera, besides the surrounding area,” he added.

Fr Martin explained that there is a rapid increase in the number of youths attending the Oratory. Besides there are also another 20 small groups of lectio Divina where people share the Word of God among themselves.

“They have a sense of belonging. They have all become part of this place. And many offered their help voluntarily when we decided to revamp the church and the Oratory.”

In fact, anybody who frequented the church until a few years ago would not recognise it today. It has been completely modernised without losing the feeling that it is a place of worship and prayer.

The inauguration of the new design at the church.The inauguration of the new design at the church.

On the contrary, walking in from the main door of the church, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to a line of gold mosaics stretching down the centre aisle, straight to the baptistry, altar, ambon, celebrant’s chair, apse and tabernacle, a line that indicates the Christian journey.

“When we were modernising the church, I insisted that we could not lose any of the old characteristics and design. We opted for a lighter colour on the walls, a new ceiling which houses the airconditioning, installed a new lighting system which creates the atmosphere we would like whenever we want, have more comfortable chairs, and installed large, artistic colourful icons on the walls,” Fr Martin said.

The feeling of community is very strong, even though people come from all corners of Malta

He explained that he started discussing his concept for the ‘new’ church with the people frequenting it for Mass from the area and with all the Oratory community. He felt he couldn’t just change the setup without giving an explanation. During the works on the church the community was also given talks and catechesis from experts on liturgy to explain the liturgical changes that were taking palce .

This has made for a very smooth transition.

Part of the modernisation of the church has also included bringing the altar closer to the people and extending the balcony over the door to take more people.

All as one – a group of volunteers working hard on the new design of the church.All as one – a group of volunteers working hard on the new design of the church.

“Whoever attends the Eucharist here knows it is not a rushed service. A lot of thought and preparation goes into each and every aspect. Our music ministry is very strong. We make it a point to use different liturgical symbols in our services. The Liturgy, when rightly celebrated, is well received and is by itself an evangelisation experience.

“If we have a baptism, for example, the parents are aware that their child will be immersed in the water in a very symbolic ceremony.”

Something definitely seems to be working with the way things are carried out. When there is no space left in the church, people spill out onto the small parvis, despite the cold, rain or excessive heat.

“The charisma is phenomenal. The adults who come here want their faith to mature, our lay men and women want to become leaders and to transmit this spirit to others... We have been treating people in our parishes too much like children (fidili), without realising they want more.

The use of different liturgical symbols is very strong (centre).The use of different liturgical symbols is very strong (centre).

We have been treating people in our parishes too much like children (fidili), without realising they want more

“This is probably why we have been reaping fruit here,” Fr Martin says humbly.

Apart from daily Mass and on the weekends, the MSSP also offer different programmes, events and courses throughout the year.

During Lent, Fr Martin has organised morning prayers every Friday. More than 250 people are turning up despite the early hour – prayers start at 6am. “I was surprised to see so many young people. Can you imagine at what time they had to get up? It’s not true that they are cold towards religion. It all depends what you give them.”

One of the groups making use of the premises is the Alpha Community. This is an outreach programme, spread over a period of 10 weeks, aimed at reaching people who would like to be initiated in the faith.

The programme is not carried out in the church. “You cannot take a non-believer, an agnostic or non-practising Catholic immediately into a church. You have to accompany them gradually. You cannot shock them,” he said. For this reason, the Oratory was modernised to help in this regard.

The paint scheme used in the church and the parking area subtly continues in different shades inside the Oratory building. There are different rooms to cater for the various groups.

Ash Wednesday.Ash Wednesday.

“We also have a large hall; two smaller, more private chapels and a large kitchen and dining area. We have also revamped the outside areas, including a small cloister area behind the church and an area leading out from the dining area, with more outside dining space. We have dotted the place with plants which not only offer a sense of serenity and peace, but also bring in a touch of colour.”

Fr Martin has been left in awe at the response and turnout. “Do you attribute all this success to yourself?” I ask.

“Definitely not. I am only here to lead and offer direction until my superiors allow me to, but this has been a community endeavour, the work of many people,” he said humbly.

Could this be the secret behind the success of this community hidden in the heart of Birkirkara?

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