The Maltese Dominican province recently celebrated its 175th anniversary with a concelebrated Mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Grotto, Rabat, led by the Vicar of the Master of the Order, Fr Vivian Boland, OP.
The latter was assisted by the Socius of the Master of the Order for the Mediterranean Provinces, Fr Bernardino Prella, OP.
President George Abela and Archbishop Paul Cremona were also present for this celebration.
In his homily, Fr Boland passed on greetings by Master of the Order Fr Bruno Cadore, OP, who was unable to attend as he was visiting Latin America.
Fr Boland also spoke about what he referred to as the ‘theological significance’ of this anniversary, or better still, how throughout the years, the Dominican friars worldwide and even in Malta, did their best, through their presence, to fulfill the purpose of the Order, summed up in three words (which often accompany the emblem of the Order laudare, benedicere, praedicare.
He also made reference to the readings of the Mass, which were of the liturgical feast of St Pius V, patron of the province.
Priests and members of other religious orders, nuns and lay Dominicans, together with relatives of members of the province, benefactors and other friends also attended.
The singing was conducted by the Kerygma Movement Choir together with the Christour Children’s Choir, which forms part of the same movement.
At the end of Mass, the Provincial, Fr Paul Gatt, OP, besides thanking those who attended and helped out in the preparations for the celebration, presented tokens to Dr Abela, Mgr Cremona, as well as to Fr Boland and Fr Prella.
The function ended with the singing of the Salve Regina and O Lumen, during which the concelebrants walked down and lined themselves along the aisle of the church and were then blessed by the Vicar of the Order – an old, traditional ceremony of the Dominican Order.
All those who attended were invited to continue celebrating in the cloister of the priory.