Cana Movement founder, Mgr Charles Vella, celebrated his 80th birthday with Mass at St Gregory's church, Sliema.

Those who attended Mass included the Apostolic Nuncio, Tommaso Caputo, Archibishop of Lecce, Cosmo Francesco Ruppi, Speaker Louis Galea and Mrs Galea and Victor Licari, of the Knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, who was accompanied by 20 other Italian Knights of the same order.

Family, friends and collaborators of Mgr Vella were also present. In his homily, Mgr Vella touched on his vocation to help families and the sick.

During the celebration Mgr Ruppi said: "Thanks to Mgr Vella's hard work we have a network of marriage counselling centres, trained workers and family pastoral work in Italy."

At the end of the celebration Mgr Ruppi, on behalf of the Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, bestowed the honour of Gran Croce al Merito on Mgr Vella.

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