Students celebrating their last day of school and the end of their five year term at the Archbishop’s Minor Seminary in that far away May of 1968 never imagined that they would once again meet up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that day.

This special event was held on the May 8 at The Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana, which had hosted the Minor and Major Seminaries.

44 ex-students and a few ex-teachers had the opportunity to meet together once again, several of whom after 50 years.

A Mass was celebrated at the St Calcedonius Chapel. Mgr. Victor Grech, who was the Rector of the Seminary at that time, was the main celebrant. Assisting him were Mgr. Lawrence Gatt, the then Master of Discipline, and seven other priests, including three ex-teachers and four former students. An inevitably touching moment was that when a prayer was said in memory of  10 former students and teachers who have since passed away. In his homily,Mgr. Grech shared a few thoughts which were particularly fitting for the occasion.

A reception was then held in the colonnaded courtyard,  during which everyone had the opportunity to mix, chat and reminisce about their schooltime days.  This courtyard had a special significance to all present since it is the place where much of the five school years were spent,  surrounded by what were the then classrooms.

At the end of the event the signs of joy and satisfaction were evident on the faces of all present. Fifty years had passed but every moment of this unique occasion was a rewarding and welcome throwback.  

It managed to rekindle in the ex-students the gratitude and appreciation for the way the Minor Seminary had shaped their characters. A monetary contribution made by all those present was donated to the Archbishop’s Charity Fund.