There is no greater love than the love of God for his people. When a missionary week was organised by the parish of Qala in Gozo, a Franciscan Minor, a Carmelite priest, a Franciscan Cappucin monk and a Teresian Carmelite monk were asked to pray and meet people as a community directly. They prayed, reflected, discussed and entered the lives and homes of the people, listening, sharing, learning and loving each and every one they met. The community of the parish responded by offering their love, everyday struggles, disappointments and even protection for these priests of God. Channels of peace and charity ran rampant through the shepherds and their flock.

To have had the privilege of attending one of their holy Masses towards the end of their mission, was breathtaking and something that I will take to the grave with me. To witness the warmth, love, sincerity, purity and sacrifice in that holy Mass in no more than the vocation of sanctity. Never before have I seen the face of God this way, looking at God’s servants concelebrating the holy Mass.

I thank the humble priests and the Parish of Qala for having allowed me a glimpse of eternity. I hope and pray that when another, similar mission is held in other parishes, many will go and experience the meaning of happiness and peace.

The last thing I would like to say is that the enthusiasm of the archpriest, together with the vice priest and other priests of Qala, made it much easier for these friars to witness and live this marvelous experience and vocation of love with the people of Qala.

God himself thanked these priests by having sent his own special envoy, the new Bishop of Gozo, to sit with them and rejoice in their experience of love.

Maria Vella

Mosta