Malta Discovery Pilgrimage

Pro Tridentina (Malta) looks forward to co-operate in this laudable initiative.

 

DAY 1 – Monday, September 2, 2019: Depart North America

Depart on overnight flight to Europe, connecting to Malta.  Please note: flights are additional cost.  (Meals on flights).

 

DAY 2 – Tuesday, September 3, 2019: Birkirkara

Arrival in Malta – Transfer to hotel and enjoy the afternoon relaxing by the pool in the Mediterranean sun or an optional bus tour which brings you straight to the heart of Malta, through a visit to one of our villages, boasting an imposing baroque basilica, followed by a welcome Mass together experiencing life in a local parish. Welcome dinner in a historic 17th century palazzo followed by a casual evening stroll through the old medieval capital city of Malta, Mdina, known as the Silent city, beautifully illuminated at night time.  Included: D

 

DAY 3 – Wednesday, September 4, 2019: Mdina, Rabat

We start our day in Mdina with Mass at the lovely Carmelite Church, followed by a visit to the baroque cathedral of Saint Paul. Having also visited the Diocesan Museum, we will pass to the adjacent archives of the Metropolitan Chapter, for an exclusive visit that will allow us to see the records of the intriguing Roman Inquisition in Malta. After lunch in an outdoor terrazza overlooking the bastions, we will walk through Mdina and Rabat’s winding streets, making a special visit to Saint Paul’s Grotto, the birthplace of Christianity in Malta, together with the Wignacourt Museum, named after the Grand Master who founded the conventual chaplains who originally cared for this place.  Next we visit Saint Paul’s catacombs, the largest catacomb complex in Malta. Leaving Rabat, we will transfer to Malta’s exceptional wine country to visit a winery estate for tasting local wines. Following dinner, an optional relaxing walk through Valletta, the city built by the Knights.  Included: B, D

 

DAY 4 – Thursday, September 5, 2019: Paola, Birgu

Our day will start with Mass in Paola, which bears the name of the Grand Master who founded it, in a church dedicated to one of the greatest saints of the Order of Malta. After Mass, we will move to the Grand Harbor area to enjoy the sea breeze.  We will visit the Three Cities, specifically Vittoriosa, the city which withstood victorious the onslaught of the Ottomans during the Great Siege of 1565. We start our visit, as is due, at the Collegiate church of Saint Lawrence, the original conventual church of the Order in Malta. In an adjacent oratory, we will venerate a medieval icon brought over from Rhodes, and we will see the sword and cap used by Grand Master La Vallette during the Great Siege. Following lunch at the Vittoriosa waterfront, we will visit Castel Sant’Angelo, originally the medieval Castrum Maris, and now the Maltese seat of the Order in Malta. This fortification allows for breath-taking views of the surrounding Grand Harbor. We end the tour in Vittoriosa, or Birgu, as it is locally known, by a visit to the Inquisitor’s Palace, unique among such palaces in Europe, for having withstood not only the ravages of time, but also spared from destruction by the Napoleonic forces. Following dinner, we end our night with a relaxing walk through Saint Julian’s and a drink by the sea. Included: B, D

 

DAY 5 – Friday, September 6, 2019: VallettaWe will start our day in one of Valletta’s oldest churches, Saint Augustine’s, followed by a short walk to the Monastery Church of Saint Ursula, home to a female branch of the Order of Malta. Here will venerate the relic of the head of Blessed Gerard, the founder of the Knights of Malta. From there we move to the Order’s Conventual Church, now Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. Hidden behind its austere facade, lies Malta’s most precious architectural gem, from the ornate marble tombstones of the Knights, hailed as being the most beautiful floor in Europe, to the rich vault decorated by the Knight-Artist, Mattia Preti.  At the adjacent museum, we will see Malta’s two very rare Caravaggio paintings, the Beheading of the Baptist, the only one to bear his signature, as well as his Saint Jerome.  After lunch, we will be able to visit the National Library, which holds the Order’s archives, followed by a tour of a 16th century palace, still home to a Maltese noble family. The Knight Don Pietro La Rocca built the palace. We will end our evening with a traditional dinner, where one can taste a selection of local cuisine.  Included: B, D

 

DAY 6 – Saturday, September 7, 2019: Gozo, Rabat

We move today to Gozo – the island of Calypso, mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. Enjoy the boat ride, passing the picturesque St Paul’s Bay and the magnificent view of Saint Paul’s Islands, traditionally held to be the place of Paul’s shipwreck. After a short trip across the channel, we will start our day in Gozo by Mass at the famous Ta’ Pinu Basilica, Malta’s most venerated Marian shrine.  Saint John Paul II came here as a pilgrim during his pastoral visit to the Maltese islands in 1990. Mass will be followed by a walk through Gozo’s imposing Cittadella, a fortified city, as well as a visit to the nearby Saint George’s Basilica. A walk through Victoria, named in honor of the Empress, Queen Victoria, on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, will allow us to see the famous lace-making craft in Gozo. Following a relaxing lunch in one of the most beautiful bays of the island, we will continue for the afternoon to Xagħra. Here will visit Ġgantija, a prehistoric complex which is said to be about 5,500 years old, making it the world’s second oldest standing religious structure. Xagħra will be celebrating its feast day, which will allow us to end the day by attending Solemn Vespers at the local basilica dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin.  Included: B

 

DAY 7 – Sunday, September 8, 2019: Valletta Celebration Our Lady of Victories, SengleaWe will start this special day when Malta celebrates its annual il-Vitorja, the celebration of the victory over the Turks in 1565, with Mass at the Chapel of Fort Saint Elmo, a place made sacred by the blood of the martyrs of the Great Siege of 1565. This will be followed by time to visit this fort as well as the interesting War Museum. We will then walk up the hill to visit the Grand Master’s Palace and Armory. Following lunch, we will transfer for a relaxing afternoon at Malta’s most beautiful beach. We will end our day by immersing ourselves into a local festa street celebration in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at Senglea, which bears the name of the Grand Master who built it.  Included: B

 

Day 8 – Monday, September 9, 2018: Marsaxlokk, Birkirkara

A relaxing Sunday morning, enjoying Malta’s coastline and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea.  Visit a traditional fishing village in a rural area on a sleepy Sunday morning.  Experience life on the sea as you catch a rare glimpse of the locals, fisherman for centuries, amid palms, sun and surf.  Boat ride to the Blue Grotto.  Lunch on the seashore.  Visit St. Peter’s Pool, an enchanting bay on the sea with natural rock formations.  Sung Mass at St. Paul’s church in Birkirkara, home of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Malta.  Included: B, D

 

Day 9 – Tuesday, September 10, 2019: Free Day

Free day for exploration, shopping, rest or leisure.  Morning Mass at St. Juliana’s old parish church.  Enjoy an afternoon at the hotel pool.  Or re-visit some favorite sites.  Final farewell dinner.  Included: B, D

 

Day 10 – Wednesday, September 11, 2019: Depart Malta

Return flights home to North America.  Included: B

 

N.B. Itinerary is tentative and subject to change.

Confraternity for the Tridentine Mass in Malta?

 

To add to our joy for the Christmas season,  Pro Tridentina (Malta) is announcing that it is studying the possibility of forming a Confraternity of the laity and priests involved in the traditional Latin Mass.

What will be the function and purpose of the Confraternity? It will enable and support priests who wish to offer the Tridentine Mass, it will provide a formal structure of financial, spiritual and organisational aid with the aim of establishing a network of places where the Mass will be offered.

This will be in line with the wish of Pope Benedict XVI when he expressed a desire to see more priests crossing parish boundaries to share their vocation in a broader sense and to draw strength from working not in isolation but together.

• The initial plan is to begin setting up a network of "host" parishes that will offer the Tridentine Mass;
• It will then provide "Mass kits" in each of the host parishes. Vestments, altar missals, altar cards and so on that are urgently needed. 

Anyone interested to be part of this project, please drop an email to pro.tridentina.malta@gmail.com if you can help in any way.

BREAKING NEWS: Summorum Pontificum will NOT be abrogated - NOT YET

 

In the past days, several traditional Catholic websites have stated that a number of Italian Bishops have attacked Summorum Pontificum, and want the Tridentine Mass abrogated. This Blog would like to state the following, thanks to our sources inside the Holy See:

 

• It is true that this attack on the motu proprio has taken place, BUT;
• Pope Francis, as was advised and posted here, will not dare to abrogate the Tridentine Mass, at least NOT YET;
• The current upheaval inside the Vatican has postponed the massive liturgical changes that were to occur this year;

So, what is the real strategy? It is based on the following steps:

 

• Start the liturgical changes as was envisaged initially, but only after the waters have calmed down;
• Reach the agreement with the SSPX, i.e. creating a personal prelature so that the biggest traditional Catholic group is harnessed and silenced;
• If Benedict XVI dies (let's pray this will be in the distant future), there will be no problem for the current Pope to abrogate the motu proprio. This seems to be taken from 2 perspectives - Francis genuinely has respect for Benedict XVI, whilst at the same time the accusation that Francis isn't Pope because Benedict XVI was forced to abdicate, will die a natural death. 

This Blog will continue to follow developments in this area. In the meantime, it is hoped that traditional Catholic groups, in particular the FIUV, start piling up pressure on the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

Omelia di Monsignor Rifan durante il pelllegrinaggio "Populus Summorum Pontificum"

 

Omelia sull’altare contenente le spoglie mortali di Santa Caterina da Siena.
 

Carissimi sacerdoti, seminaristi, religiosi, fratelli e sorelle in Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo,permettetemi per cominciare di dare un saluto e ringraziare i padri domenicani di questa basilica per la loro accoglienza. Questa Santa Messa pontificale solenne celebra la fine del pellegrinaggio “Summorum Pontificum” dei cattolici legati alla forma tradizionale del rito romano, concessa finalmente a tutti dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI con il Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum”.
 

Siamo nell’Anno della Fede proclamato da Benedetto XVI e proseguito da Papa Francesco.
 

La nostra fede, com’è ben espresso nella lettera apostolica Porta Fidei, deve essere “professata, celebrata, vissuta e pregata”.
 

La Santa Messa, la celebrazione del sacrificio eucaristico, è una delle più importati professioni di fede. E se noi amiamo, se preferiamo, se conserviamo la Santa Messa nella forma tradizionale del rito romano, è perché questa è una vera e propria professione di fede dei dogmi eucaristici: il dogma della Messa come sacrificio, rinnovo incruento del sacrificio della Croce; il dogma della presenza reale; quello della transustanziazione dovuto alle parole del sacerdote che agisce in persona Christi capitis e non alla fede del popolo; e quello del sacerdozio “ministeriale” dei presbiteri e dei vescovi, distinto da quello comune dei fedeli. La nostra fedeltà alla Santa Messa nella forma tradizionale del rito romano è dettata dalla nostra fede. E’ questa professione di fede, professata e celebrata attraverso la Messa tradizionale, che noi offriamo al Santo Padre come prova della nostra fedeltà alla Santa Chiesa.
 

Inoltre, la Santa Messa tradizionale è un importantissimo contributo per la Nuova Evangelizzazione. Perché è una chiara espressione liturgica dei dogmi eucaristici; perché manifesta perfettamente la dignità del sacro attraverso la ricchezza, la nobiltà e la solennità delle sue cerimonie; per il senso del mistero che comunica; ed infine, perché è uno dei tesori liturgici cattolici attraverso il quale affermiamo il nostro amore per la Santa Chiesa e la nostra comunione con essa.
 

Che il Santo Padre riconosca, nella nostra forma liturgica, l’espressione della nostra piena comunione con lui e con la Chiesa.
 

Oggi celebriamo la bellissima festa del Cristo Re. Questa festa fu istituita dal papa Pio XI in risposta al laicismo che regnava all’epoca e che fa tanti danni oggi. “…Mentre indagavamo le cause precipue di quelle calamità da cui vedevamo oppresso e angustiato il genere umano — ricordiamo d’aver chiaramente espresso non solo che tanta colluvie di mali imperversava nel mondo perché la maggior parte degli uomini avevano allontanato Gesù Cristo e la sua santa legge dalla pratica della loro vita, dalla famiglia e dalla società, ma altresì che mai poteva esservi speranza di pace duratura fra i popoli, finché gli individui e le nazioni avessero negato e da loro rigettato l’impero di Cristo Salvatore. ” (Enciclica Quas Primas, 1)
 

E’ per combattere questi mali che il papa istituì una festa speciale di Gesù Cristo Re.
 

“Ora, se comandiamo che Cristo Re venga venerato da tutti i cattolici del mondo, con ciò Noi provvederemo alle necessità dei tempi presenti, apportando un rimedio efficacissimo a quella peste che pervade l’umana società.” “La peste della età nostra è il così detto laicismo coi suoi errori e i suoi empi incentivi; e voi sapete, o Venerabili Fratelli, che tale empietà non maturò in un solo giorno ma da gran tempo covava nelle viscere della società. Infatti si cominciò a negare l’impero di Cristo su tutte le genti; si negò alla Chiesa il diritto — che scaturisce dal diritto di Gesù Cristo — di ammaestrare, cioè, le genti, di far leggi, di governare i popoli per condurli alla eterna felicità. E a poco a poco la religione cristiana fu uguagliata con altre religioni false e indecorosamente abbassata al livello di queste; quindi la si sottomise al potere civile e fu lasciata quasi all’arbitrio dei principi e dei magistrati. Si andò più innanzi ancora: vi furono di quelli che pensarono di sostituire alla religione di Cristo un certo sentimento religioso naturale. Né mancarono Stati i quali opinarono di poter fare a meno di Dio, riposero la loro religione nell’irreligione e nel disprezzo di Dio stesso .” (Enciclica Quas Primas, 18)
 

Per ben comprendere chi sia l’attuale nemico della civilizzazione cristiana, ci sono queste parole di Pio XII: “Oh, non chiedeteCi qual è il « nemico », né quali vesti indossi. Esso si trova dappertutto e in mezzo a tutti; sa essere violento e subdolo. In questi ultimi secoli ha tentato di operare la disgregazione intellettuale, morale, sociale dell’unità nell’organismo misterioso di Cristo. Ha voluto la natura senza la grazia; la ragione senza la fede; la libertà senza l’autorità; talvolta l’autorità senza la libertà. È un « nemico » divenuto sempre più concreto, con una spregiudicatezza che lascia ancora attoniti: Cristo sì, Chiesa no. Poi: Dio sì, Cristo no. Finalmente il grido empio : Dio è morto; anzi : Dio non è mai stato. Ed ecco il tentativo di edificare la struttura del mondo sopra fondamenti che Noi non esitiamo ad additare come principali responsabili della minaccia che incombe sulla umanità: un’economia senza Dio, un diritto senza Dio, una politica senza Dio. Il « nemico » si è adoperato e si adopera perché Cristo sia un estraneo nelle Università, nella scuola, nella famiglia, nell’amministrazione della giustizia, nell’attività legislativa, nel consesso delle nazioni, là ove si determina la pace o la guerra.” (Discorso agli uomini dell’Azione Cattolica, 12 ottobre 1952)

Ma, coraggio! La vittoria del Bene è certa, la vittoria di Cristo e della Chiesa.
 

A Piazza San Pietro c’è un obelisco egizio che anticamente era collocato sulla spina del circo di Nerone ed era simbolo della vittoria sui cristiani perseguitati e morti in quel luogo, a cominciare da San Pietro. Oggi il circo di Nerone non esiste più. Al suo posto si eleva la magnifica basilica di San Pietro, e, se l’obelisco si trova ancora lì, esso reca ormai l’iscrizione “Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!”. Cristo vince, Cristo regna, Cristo impera. La vittoria finale!
 

E questo è vero anche per la Chiesa. Celebriamo questa Messa nella bellissima basilica di Santa Maria sopra la Minerva, che vuol dire che qui, sotto di noi, si trova il tempio della dea Minerva. Oggi questa basilica è dedicata alla Madonna. E’ la vittoria della Santa Vergine Maria su Minerva, di Cristo e della Chiesa sul paganesimo.
 

Fiduciosi nella protezione della nostra Santissima Madre, continuiamo a combattere. La vittoria è certa. Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat! Così sia!"

 

Monsignor Fernando Arêas Rifan, ordinario dell’Amministrazione apostolica personale di San Giovanni Maria Vianney di Campos (Brasile), 27 ottobre 2013, Festa del Cristo Re.

Hall of Honour (8): Godwin Xuereb

Born in 1969, Xuereb obtained a Diploma in Italian Language and Culture (University of Perugia) and graduated B.A. (Hons.) in European Studies and M.A. International Relations from the University of Malta. For the latter degree, he undertook research in the Vatican Secret Archives in 2011.

He was involved in several Catholic organisations, in particular one can mention his serving as an altar boy in St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican) in 1981.  He is a member of 3 Confraternities: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Saint Michael and Saint Peter.

 

Xuereb was one of the main promoters of the Tridentine Mass started since 2002. Thanks to contacts with the Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP), a number of Maltese got to know each other and in 2007 founded Pro Tridentina (Malta). Xuereb was its first President until 2012. He later served as its interim President (2012-2013) and Co-ordinator (2014-2015). 

Xuereb was elected to the FIUV Council in 2009, the same year when Pro Tridentina (Malta) became a member. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2013. In 2015, he informed the Council that he was not going to submit his candidature on behalf of Pro Tridentina (Malta). During his Council period, Xuereb was the moderator of the Communications sub-committee for some time and also Assistant Treasurer.

 

Due to health reasons, Xuereb stopped being active in the traditional Catholic movement in 2015, although he still promotes the Tridentine Mass informally.

Some food for thought

 

 

That the Church in Malta has - and continues to - hamper diffusion of Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is demonstrated by statistics:

 

• In Malta and Gozo, which are two separate dioceses, there are a total of  78 parishes (63 in Malta and 15 in Gozo) and 6 national parishes. There is only one Tridentine Mass, once a week on Sunday evening, in the whole of this country, i.e. a mere 0.013% (Tridentine Mass / parish)!
• On the other hand, in France, where the Catholic Church in France is organised into 98 dioceses and 4300 parishes, there are 488 parishes that have regular Tridentine Masses, i.e. more than 10% of the total!
   
   

Breaking News: liturgical changes ‘irreversible’ but postponed!

 

Last year, this Blog broke the news that massive liturgical changes were expected later this year. Soon afterwards, unexpectedly, controversy with traditional groups followed (read here, here and here), notwithstanding the fact that Pope Francis himself had invoked ‘magisterial authority’ to declare liturgy changes ‘irreversible’.

 

However, following Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò's revelations in the past weeks, sources in the Holy See indicated that pressure was mounted on Pope Francis to delay the liturgical changes to sometime in 2019, or even later, in order to avoid more controversy within the Vatican. There is a real fear that if liturgical changes are introduced in the coming weeks, they could lead to a schism that would hit the heart of the Church. The names of two Cardinals, both deemed to be close to Pope Francis, were mentioned. Allegedly, Pope Francis has agreed to this postponement. Since this Blog has been unable to contact any of the Cardinals, we prudently are avoiding to mention them.

 

Still, this Blog will continue to update its readers whenever news on this matter close to our hearts is made available to us.

Ricordando Giovanni Paolo I a 40 anni dalla morte

 

 "La sua intransigenza dottrinaria, soprattutto nelle questioni di fede e di morale, mi parve assoluta, quasi alla Pio X. Non c'era nel pastore d'anime col quale conversavo nelle sale della Fondazione Cini, nulla di quel culto della modernità o del modernismo, anche solo intellettuale che caratterizzò interi settori dell'episcopato, nella generale, profonda crisi di valori e talvolta d'identità cui il mondo cattolico non poteva certo restare estraneo. Non è assurdo pensare ad una fase di contenimento di determinati impulsi innovatori, d'arresto di talune svolte rivoluzionarie, almeno nella sfera della teologia e della liturgia".

Giovanni Spadolini

Solicitation for a priest

 

Pro Tridentina (Malta) has a place available where Tridentine Mass can be celebrated on a regular basis. What is needed now is a priest who will be willing to celebrate TLM regularly. Our aim is that this priest is a resident of Malta.

 

If this is not possible (very few Maltese priests want to celebrate TLM in Malta) the organisation is in touch with an international network that would be able to find a priestly candidate for this service from outside the islands.

However, such a scenario, apart from the financial burden, would require other things, such as:

 

a) who could host the priest,

b) how many faithful will be attending TLM,

c) permanent housing for the priest,

d) a permanent chapel in the long term, ...etc.

 

Anyone who can reply to the above queries, be it a priest or a layperson, is kindly asked to contact us at: pro.tridentina.malta@gmail.com .

 

May God reward you for your efforts!

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage 2018

In 2018, the international pilgrimage of the Summorum Pontificum groups to Rome will be held from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 October, on the weekend of Christ the King. A delegation from Pro Tridentina (Malta) will be attending.

 

The pilgrimage will be led by Mgr. Czeslaw Kozon, Bishop of Copenhagen. The provisional progamme is as follows:

 

Friday 26 October  

 

11:00 - 17:00 - Meetings Populus Summorum Pontificum  at the invitation of Paix Liturgique, the FIUV and Juventutem at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

 

18:00 - Mass at the Church of the SS. Trinity of the Pilgrims.

 

Saturday 27 October

 

09:30 - Eucharistic Adoration (confessions).  

10:30 - Solemn procession to the Basilica of St. Peter, presided by Msr. Kozon.

12:00 - Solemn Pontifical Mass in St. Peter's Basilica (Altar of the Chair), celebrated by Mgr. Czeslaw Kozon, Bishop of Copenhagen, choir conducted by Maestro Aurelio Porfiri. 

14:00 - Buffet for the Clergy. 

18:00 - Vespers of Christ the King in the church of the SS. Trinity of the Pilgrims.

 

Sunday, 28 October

 

09:30 - Mass of Christ the King for pilgrims who wish to participate in the Angelus of the Holy Father, Church of Jesus and Mary (ICRSS)

11:00 - Pontifical Mass of Christ the King celebrated by Mgr. Kozon at the Church of the SS. Trinity of the Pilgrims (FSSP).

Quotes to reflect upon (17)

"I don’t like, indeed, those views that would like to reduce the traditionalist ‘phenomenon’ to only the celebration of the ancient rite, as if it were a stubborn and nostalgic attachment to the past. ... In reality, what we frequently find is a Christian view of the life of faith and of devotion—shared by so many Catholic families that frequently are enriched by many children—that has special characteristics, and we can mention as examples: a strong sense of belonging to the Mystical Body of Christ, a desire to maintain strong links with the past—that wishes to be seen, not in contrast with the present, but in a line of continuity with the Church—to present the principal teachings of the Faith, a profound desire for spirituality and the sacred, etc.." Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, interview in ‘The Latin Mass magazine’, May 2004.

A 'fraternal' organisation to Pro Tridentina (Malta)

Logo of  Pro Malta Christiana

 

 

A new organisation with complementary aims to Pro Tridentina (Malta) was founded some months ago. Pro Malta Christiana, or Maltese Foundation for a Christian Civilisation, is a Voluntary, Non-Profit Making Organisation with Registered Charitable Status.

 

The present official address Flat 4, Victoria Mansions, Victoria Junction, Sliema, SLM 1833, Malta, according to Article 2 of the provisional statutes.

According to Article 3, the aim of the Society shall be the promotion and defense of the ideals and values of Christian Civilisation in Malta. These principles are expounded in the work Revolution and Counter-Revolution authored by Professor Plinio Correa de Oliveira in 1959. 

 

The Society is committed to promoting and defending:

-          the traditions in Malta and Gozo that give the Maltese Islands their distinct cultural identity, and which have a foundation in the islands’ heritage of two thousand years of Christian civilization;

-          the natural and traditional family based on the indissoluble bond of marriage of one man and one woman in line with the traditional Magisterium of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church;

-          the principle and right of individuals to own property, in consonance with the teaching of the Catholic Church that private ownership is one of the pillars of the natural law, with said right having a social function which it must fulfill in all of its extension.

 

The Objectives of said organisation are:

 

To defend and promote, on a national level, the Christian traditions of the Maltese nation.

 

To defend and promote, on a national level, the right of private ownership of property in line with the traditional Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

 

To defend and promote, on a national level, the natural and traditional family, based on the indissoluble bond of marriage between a man and a woman.

To defend and promote the right to life – understood as the inalienable right to be born - in the Maltese islands and actively oppose all forms of abortion and infanticide.

 

To provide support and information for all legal groups, entities and other organizations seeking to enhance and promote the ideals of tradition, family and property.

 

To educate the Maltese populace, thereby raising public awareness on a national level of the importance of promoting, fostering and defending the ideals of Christian Civilization and especially those ideals relating to tradition, family and property.

 

To perform works of charity and philanthropy in line with the Society/Foundation’s commitment to the perennial ideals of Christian Civilization by disseminating publications, religious objects and miscellaneous articles, and through other standard works of charity analogous to those practiced by the Catholic Church over the centuries.

 

To raise funds for the Society / Foundation by means of donations of members, supporters, and volunteers or otherwise for all the purposes of the Society / Foundation  through requests for donations for objects, publications, research and materials distributed, through public campaigns and specific requests for donations, as well as through other means of fund-raising that are both authorized by the National Council and consonant with the Society’s / Foundation’s status as a voluntary, non-profit making organization with registered charity status in Malta.

 

To promote and present the interests of the Society / Foundation and of its members to the notice of local administration and authorities, international Organisations and other authorities.

To enhance the level of cultural attainment in Malta among its members, supporters, donors and volunteers and among the general populace through the holding of cultural public manifestations that are inspired by the traditional Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

 

To form part of any national/international Organisation/s whose aims are similar to that of the Organisation.

 

To promote, encourage and promote research in the subject areas of sociology, anthropology, pure and applied science, religious doctrine, philosophy, theology, ethics and economics, and which relate to the defense and promotion of the ideals of Christian Civilisation and to publish and disseminate the results of said research.   

To do all that which is ancillary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.

 

Pro Tridentina (Malta) wishes all the best to this organisation, led by Pro Tridentina (Malta) founder, Philip Beattie. The co-operation between Pro Malta Christiana and ASPM's Chaplain Canon Nicholas Doublet (former member of Pro Tridentina (Malta) is also a step in the right direction.

 

Quotes to reflect upon (16)

 

"The People of God need to see priests and deacons behave in a way that is full of reverence and dignity, in order to help them to penetrate invisible things without unnecessary words or explanations. In the Roman Missal of Saint Pius V, as in several Eastern liturgies, there are very beautiful prayers through which the priest expresses the most profound sense of humility and reverence before the Sacred Mysteries: they reveal the very substance of the Liturgy."

 

Saint Pope John Paul II, Address to the Plenary Session of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 21 September, 2001

Quotes to reflect upon (15)

 "…out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest’s hands, for touching this Sacrament. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it except from necessity, for instance, if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency."

St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae, IIIa Q82 a3 c

 

This quote is cited in an official statement of the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

Mark Montebello fuq li tkun Tridentin

Fr Mark Montebello OP u l-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna (Ritratt: Net News)

F'dawn l-aħħar ġranet reġgħet qamet kontroversja dwar Fr Mark Montebello. Mingħajr ma nidħlu fuq il-mertu ta' din id-diskussjoni, fil-passat dan il-Blog kien diġa' ppubblika artiklu negattiv minn dan il-patri dwar ir-Rit Tridentin. Illum nerġgħu nagħtu ħarsa lejn kif jaħsibha Montebello dwar dak kollu li għandu x'jaqsam mal-Konċilju ta' Trentu. Dawn l-artikli kienu ppubblikati 3 snin ilu hawn u hawn minn Montebello nnifsu.

Ekkleżjoloġija Fqira

Spiss għedt (u nerġa’ ngħid għal min irid jisma’) li l-għeruq tal-irrelevanza li l-Knisja Kattolika f’Malta u Għawdex qiegħda ġġarrab dejjem aktar jinsabu fil-faqar tal-viżjoni ekkleżjoloġika u antropoloġika tagħha. Għalkemm dawn huma oqsma duttrinali, jinfluwixxu ħafna fuq l-operat ekkleżjastiku.

 

Fi ftit kliem, l-antropoloġija tiġbor fi ħdanha t-teoriji dwar x’inhu l-bniedem: x’jagħmlu kuntent; x’inhu li jroddlu sens f’ħajtu; x’pożizzjoni għandu fid-dinja u fil-fasla ekonomika u politika, u ħwejjeġ bħal dawn. L-ekkleżjoloġija tiġbor it-teoriji dwar x’inhi l-Knisja: minn xiex hi magħmula; għalfejn teżisti; lejn xiex trid twassal il-ħidma tagħha, u ħwejjeġ bħal dawn.

 

Għalkemm iż-żewġ oqsma huma distinti minn xulxin, huma mhux biss relatati mill-qrib, imma ħafna mit-tieni qasam jiddependi fuq dak li jinħaseb fl-ewwel wieħed. Hawnhekk, illum, se nitħaddet biss dwar it-tieni qasam f’rabta mal-Knisja lokali. Darba oħra, nitħaddet dwar il-qasam l-ieħor.

Ekkleżjoloġija Tridentina

Nibda biex insostni b’konvinzjoni informata li l-ekkleżjoloġija li jħaddnu l-biċċa l-kbira tal-Kattoliċi Maltin u Għawdxin (pastoralment attivi u mhux; kjeriċi u lajċi) hija Tridentina. Dan ifisser li l-kunċett bażiku tagħhom ta’ x’inhi l-Knisja huwa dak imnebbaħ mill-Konċilju ta’ Trentu (tas-seklu 16). Mhuwiex, għandi nżid, kunċett imnebbaħ, kif għandu jkun, mill-Konċilju Vatikan II (seklu 20).
 

Dan il-kunċett Tridentin jistħajjel Knisja li hija armata f’taqbida mqaddsa b’armi spiritwali daqskemm materjali; armata li hi soċjetà magħluqa mikduda bil-ħsieb tal-fruntieri; armata b’regoli fissi, imfassla f’għamla piramidika, b’ideoloġija monolotika u b’perspettiva operattiva ta’ ‘aħna’ u ‘huma’. Hija Knisja b’filosofija ta’ esklussività.

 

F’kuntrast, l-ekkleżjoloġija tal-Konċilju Vatikan II tistħajjel Knisja li hija poplu f’mixja; poplu li qiegħed dejjem jitgħallem u jikber spiritwalment daqskemm umanament; poplu fi ħbiberija ma’ kull sinjal ta’ tjieba u grazzja; poplu ta’ ħbieb u msieħba, b’ideoloġija diversifikata u b’perspettiva operattiva ta’ kooperazzjoni u għajnuna mutwa. Hija Knisja b’filosofija ta’ inklużjoni.

Il-faqar ekkleżjoloġiku

Qrajt għal darba oħra dan l-aħħar (u nisma’ spiss lil min jirrepetiha, ukoll nies bravi, biex ma nsemmix bosta soċerdoti) li l-Knisja hi għamla ta’ partit politiku. Xi wħud jaslu biex jgħidu li hi għamla ta’ trajdunjin, klabb tal-futbol jew saħansitra każin tal-banda. Dawn huma eżempji tajba tal-ekkleżjoloġija Tridentina u tal-faqar ekkleżjoloġiku.

 

Iżda l-punt ewlieni tiegħi hawnhekk mhuwiex x’ekkleżjoloġija jistħajlu dawn in-nies, daqskemm l-anakroniżmu tagħhom. U l-inkwiet veru jibda meta tqis kemm Kattoliċi (u mhux) f’Malta u Għawdex iħaddnu din l-ekkleżjoloġija. L-inkwiet ikompli meta wieħed iqis li l-mexxejja klerikali nfushom għandhom jippropagaw sallum din is-sura ta’ ekkleżjoloġija, jekk mhux espliċitament fit-teorija għallanqas impliċitament fil-prattika.

 

Għal dawn in-nies kollha—li, nissusspetta b’sogħba, isawru l-biċċa l-kbira tal-Kattoliċi Maltin u Għawdxin—il-Konċilju Vatikan II seta’ ma sar xejn. Tridentini kienu u Tridentini għadhom. Biex jilmaħ dan, biżżejjed wieħed jagħti titwila mqar ħafifa lejn it-teoloġija (rudimentali) li jgħallem il-kleru, l-istil (paternalistiku) ta’ ħidma parrokkjali, is-sura (barokka) tal-liturġija u sa l-arti (trijonfalistika) fil-knejjes. Malajr jintebaħ li l-135,000 kelma ta’ Vatikan II kienu bżieq moħli.

Abbandun meħtieġ

Il-punt prattiku hu dan: qabel ma l-Knisja Kattolika fil-gżejjer Maltin tabbanduna l-apparat katidratiku tal-ekkleżjoloġija Tridentina li tħaddan kurrentement ma tista’ qatt tkun ferħ u tama, omm u għalliema, jew dawl fid-dinja tallum. Hija ineżorabbilment ikkundannata għall-irrelevanza u, fl-aħħar mill-aħħar, għall-estinzjoni relattiva.

 

Knisja Kattolika Tridentina ma tistax tissopravivi fid-dinja tallum. Naf perfettament li hu mill-aktar diffiċli li l-ekkleżjoloġija tal-Konċilju Vatikan II tiġi tradotta fi strutturi u fasliet relattivi konkreti. Iżda dan ikun impossibbli mingħajr ir-rieda ‘politika’ (jew amministrattiva) serja u konvinċenti sabiex jibda jseħħ. Minkejja l-paroli li jsir, din ir-rieda sempliċiment ma narahiex.

 

Nifhem li l-kankru ta’ ekkleżjoloġija fqira mhuwiex faċli li timmansah jew tasal biex ixxejnu. Huwa kankru mifrux f’kull fibra tal-ġisem. Biex jibda jċedi jeħtieġ kirugi qalbiena daqskemm għorrief u għaqlija, b’idejn sodi u b’determinazzjoni tal-ħadid.

 

Il-ħsad huwa kbir, iżda l-ħaddiema dgħajfa.

Antropoloġija Ifqar

Fi żmienna, ekkleżjoloġija maħsuba b’fasla mentali legalista (Tridentina) hi anakronista daqs maħsuba b’fasla oġġettivista, jiġifieri bħala oġġett, aktar milli suġġett. Ekkleżjoloġija bħal din dak li tagħmel: tqis lill-bniedem bħala oġġett ta’ liġijiet stabbiliti u duttrini immutabbli, u ma tevalwax biżżejjed is-siwi ta’ kull bniedem fih innifsu. Dan jintwera f’diversi deċiżjonijiet ta’ natura proċedurali, etika u morali li jittieħdu minn min iħaddanha.

Antropoloġija suġġettivistika

Antropoloġija suġġettivistika (jew personalistika, jekk trid) hija dik żviluppata filosofikament u teoloġikament wara r-riflessjonijiet ta’ Immanuel Kant (fis-seklu 18). Flimkien ma’ dak spiritwali, (ontoloġikament) hija tagħti siwi qawwi lill-qasam materjali tal-bniedem. Twieżnu mhux sempliċiment bħala duwalità (ta’ ġisem u ruħ), imma fit-totalità tiegħu (b’mod sħiħ jew ħolistiku).
 

Hija antropoloġija li (mil-lat soċjoloġiku) ma tqisx lill-bnedmin sempliċiment bħala għamliet differenti ta’ forma waħda, b’mod xi ftit jew wisq sterjotipiku. Kull bniedem, bħala suġġett individwali, hu uniku u irrepetibbli; għandu l-kwalitajiet distinti u speċifiċi tiegħu; jistħoqqlu attenzjoni singula u separata. F’dan is-sens, is-soċjetà—kull soċjetà, inkluż il-Knisja—mhijiex primarjament kollettività daqskemm unità ta’ individwi.

 

Antropoloġija suġġettivistika ma tqis lill-bniedem bħala l-quċċata tal-ħolqien u, għaldaqstant, sid tal-ħolqien (inkluż tal-annimali l-oħra u tal-ambjent naturali). Tqisu, pjuttost, bħala parti mill-ħolqien; bħala ħlieqa li, bħall-ferħ tagħha (u fi sħubija mal-pjan divin), trid tgħix f’armonija mal-ħolqien f’rispett sħiħ mal-fasla naturali.

Il-preżenza tal-grazzja

Mil-lat politiku, din l-antropoloġija suġġettivistika ma tqis lill-bniedem bħala riċevitur tal-ħidma tal-istituzzjonijiet, imma, pjuttost, bħala parteċipant primarju fihom. Fi kliem differenti, minn dan il-lat il-bniedem mhuwiex oġġett li jobdi u jsegwi, imma suġġett li jikkontribwixxi u joħloq.

 

Fl-aspett spiritwali tagħha, antropoloġija bħal din ma tistħajjilx ferq nett bejn ir-reliġjuż u s-sekulari; bejn is-sagru u l-profan. B’applikazzjoni tat-twemmin (nisrani) tal-Inkarnazzjoni divina, hija tilmaħ għaqda sħiħa bejn it-tnejn. Xejn ma hu irreliġjuż, għajr id-dnub, u xejn ma hu sagru biss. Is-sagru hu sekulari, u s-sekulari sagru.

 

Dan jgħodd għal kull aspett tal-ħajja naturali u, partikularment, għall-ħajja umana, inkluż l-imħabba, ir-relazzjonijiet inter-personali u inter-suġġettivistiċi, ix-xogħol manwali, il-ħidma pubblika u l-bqija. Tradotta teoloġikament, din timplika li l-grazzja divina mhijiex xi ħaġa tar-ruħ biss, imma wkoll tal-ġisem; mhijiex marbuta ma’ dak li hu reliġjuż jew spiritwali biss, imma wkoll ma’ kull ħidma u sentiment uman.

Rieda għat-tiġdid

Antropoloġija oġġettivistika li tirriżulta minn kunċett ekkleżjoloġiku Tridentin ma tistax twieżen biżżejjed, la l-ekonomija tas-salvazzjoni (għax tirrendiha għal proċess sempliċiment legalistiku u mekkaniku), u lanqas is-siwi tal-esperjenza rikka umana fil-varjetà kollha tagħha. Għaldaqstant, tiċħad li tirrikonoxxi l-preżenza tal-grazzja divina f’oqsma li hi tqis purament sekulari jew profani.
 

B’hekk issir aktar arma ta’ esklużjoni milli għodda ta’ inklużjoni u parteċipazzjoni, bħalma, proprjament, għandha tkun il-Knisja f’xebh ma’ Ġesù, ir-ras u l-ġisem tagħha. Issir aktar arma ta’ firda u ta’ telfien milli għodda ta’ unifikazzjoni u ta’ redenzjoni.

 

Biex nagħlaq dan li fissirt fi ftit kliem ta’ malajr, jekk il-Knisja fil-gżejjer Maltin tista’ xi darba tkun f’pożizzjoni li ġġedded lilha nnifisha, jeħteġilha—bil-grazzja ta’ Alla u bir-rieda ta’ min imexxiha—tieħu l-inkarigu impellattiv li tirrevedi serjament u profondament l-ekkleżjoloġija u l-antropoloġija li tħaddan (l-ewwel nett fil-kleru tagħha).

 

Jekk dan ma jsirx, tkun qed tagħmilha prattikment impossibbli għaliha nnifisha li timxi mal-pass tad-dinja moderna. Mhijiex, għaldaqstant, kwestjoni li tibdel xi duttrina tagħha—xejn minn dan—imma li tevalwa l-istess duttrina b’mod ieħor, f’sinkronija mal-ħsieb u l-esperjenza tal-bniedem tallum.