Thirty years ago tomorrow, 11 young men proceeded into the Catholic priesthood. After seven years of preparation they succeeded in becoming worthy servants of the Lord.
What makes them unique is that they are still working in the clerical state. They meet - including those who happen to be in Malta - every Monday to pray and dine together.
Every month they also join up to participate in a process of ongoing formation: A meeting in prayer and spiritual discussions.
They are the following: Joseph Henry Abela of Cospicua who serves Mass in the parish of his home town; Paul Buttigieg of Marsa who renders pastoral service in Cuba; Rene Camilleri of Luqa, the bishop's delegate for catechesis and a lecturer in Dogmatic Theology; Saviour Chircop of Żebbuġ who serves in his home town and lectures in communication; George Dalli of Qormi who serves in Attard as well as delivering biblical lectures and running spiritual retreats; Paul Galea who hails from Paola, a psychologist serving in Sta Luċija; Bro. Anthony Mercieca MC who was born in Vittoriosa and is currently serving in Guatemala; Paul Mercieca from Qormi serving in Sao Paulo (Brazil); Denis Schembri of St Julians serving as a pastor in a Turin (Italy) parish; Mario Sammut of Żebbuġ, serving in that same parish and Lawrence Zammit of Qormi who also serves as a chaplain to the Armed Forces.
Throughout all these years Fr Arthur Vella SJ supported the group.