The Conference of Religious Major Superiors in Malta (KSMR), through its Institute for Consecrated Life (IĦK), is launching its programme of formation and accompaniment for the academic year 2026/2027, offering opportunities for ongoing human, spiritual and vocational formation to consecrated women and men in Malta and Gozo.
The programme will be formally launched on Monday, 28 September 2026, at 11am at Mount St Joseph Retreat House, Ta' Tarġa Gap, Mosta, during the first general assembly of members of consecrated life for the new academic year. The gathering will bring together the Major Superiors of Religious Institutes in Malta and Gozo, or their representatives, marking the beginning of another year of shared formation, reflection and collaboration.
The IĦK was established by the KSMR to support and promote consecrated life through initial and ongoing formation, while fostering communion and collaboration among the different Religious Institutes. Its mission includes providing human and spiritual formation for consecrated persons and creating spaces where religious women and men can accompany one another in their vocation and mission.
This year's programme combines general gatherings for all consecrated persons with seminars, conferences, retreats and support groups organised according to different stages and experiences of religious life. The aim is to offer both a sense of belonging to the wider community of consecrated life and formation that responds to particular needs and circumstances.
Three major IĦK gatherings will take place during the year. On 7 November 2026, the General Gathering will focus on "Walking the Synodal Path: Communication as Mission and Witness", with journalist Mark Laurence Zammit. The Day of Consecrated Life will be celebrated on 2 February 2027, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, at St Sebastian Church, Ǫormi, with Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna presiding. On 9 June 2027, the final General Gathering will explore "Companions for the Journey: Spirituality for contemporary religious life", with Fr Charlò Camilleri.
Particular attention is also given to formation in smaller groups, including those in initial formation, religious under 50, those between 50 and 70 years of age, and religious aged 70 and over. There is also a dedicated support group for local superiors, recognising their particular responsibility for leadership, accompaniment and community life.
The programme includes weekend seminars and other focused formation experiences, allowing participants to dedicate more extended time to reflection, sharing and spiritual renewal. These initiatives complement the formation provided within individual Religious Institutes and encourage greater collaboration across congregational and charism boundaries.
The overall theme of the programme is expressed in the invitation for Consecrated Life to be "A Voice for Humanity": a witness to the dignity of every person, expressed through presence, compassion, solidarity and communion.
Through this programme, the KSMR and IĦK seek to strengthen a culture of communion, accompaniment, formation and mission, helping consecrated women and men to continue walking together and renewing their witness to the Gospel in the Church and society.