Three New Priests Bring Hope to Maltese Church

As the sun cast its golden rays over the Grand Master’s Palace, three young men took their first steps into a new life. Dressed in their finest, they navigated the cobblestone streets of Valletta, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Today, they were not just visitors to the capital, but its newest spiritual leaders. The Church of Malta welcomed three new priests, a beacon of hope in these challenging times.

The ordination ceremony, held at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Valletta, was a testament to the resilience and faith of the Maltese people. Despite the pandemic’s restrictions, the church was filled with parishioners, their faces a mix of joy and relief. The three new priests – Mgr. Joseph Galea, Mgr. David Muscat, and Mgr. Jonathan Refalo – had journeyed through the seminary together, their bond forged in prayer and study.

For Mgr. Galea, the ordination was a culmination of years of discernment. “I remember standing in this very cathedral as a child, looking up at the priests and thinking, ‘I want to do that,'” he recalls. Now, he will serve as the parish priest of St. Andrew’s in Birkirkara, a role he approaches with humility and excitement.

The Archbishop of Malta, Charles J. Scicluna, emphasized the importance of the ordination, especially in these trying times. “These three young men are a message of hope,” he said. “They remind us that even in the darkest of times, there are those who answer the call to serve.”

The new priests bring with them a sense of youth and vitality, a reminder that the Church is not just a historical institution, but a living, breathing community. They are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century, armed with their faith and a deep love for their people.

Mgr. Muscat, who will serve in the parish of St. George in Rabat, sees his ordination as a call to action. “We are living in a world that needs hope more than ever,” he says. “I am ready to bring that hope to my parish, one soul at a time.”

The ordination of these three priests is not just a personal milestone, but a moment of collective joy for the Maltese Church. As they don their cassocks and take up their new roles, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of their parishioners, and the promise of a brighter future.

As Mgr. Refalo, who will serve in the parish of St. Joseph in Msida, puts it, “We are not just priests, we are brothers, sons, friends. We are part of this community, and we are here to serve it, in all its beauty and complexity.”