Click here to see photo gallery
Last Friday, 8th February, Bishop Mario Grech celebrated on a diocesan level the beginning of Lent. Due to bad weather, the annual penitential pilgrimage held on the first Friday of Lent had to be cancelled. Together with various priests, religious and consecrated persons, and many faithful, Bishop Grech led a solemn mass at Ta’ Pinu National Shrine during which he gave the mandate to a number of priests to preach the lenten exercises. Animated by a youth choir, Bishop Grech led the liturgy of the feast of Saint Paul Apostle’s shipwreck. During the celebration, particular emphasis was laid on the liturgy of the Word of God, both because Lent is characterised by the preaching of the Word of God and also because this year’s Pastoral Plan of the diocese has the aim to promote more love for and study of the Holy Scipture.
Referring to the Acts of the Apostle’s detailed account of Saint Paul’s shipwreck, in his homily Bishop Grech said that people lose hope in life when they lose God: God is the source of man’s hope in life. The bishop urged all faithful to be strenghtened in faith, which is a “wonderful gift” given to us through baptism. Lent is thus the good time to renew our “yes” to God who called us by his love, and to mature in faith. One such way to grow in faith, continued Bishop Grech, is to listen to the Word of God, especially through the Lenten Spiritual Exercises which will be held in all parishes and many other churches in the diocese.
