Oasis of peace in Balzan

The liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this year marked a new development in the spiritual life of the parish of Balzan in the run-up to the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the locality as a separate parish on August 14, 1655.

His Grace the Archbishop, after leading a procession with the Blessed Sacrament along the streets of the village, inaugurated the newly restored church of Santa Marija, in Main Street, as a chapel of adoration.

This church, built in 1846 on the site of a previous church and another earlier one both dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady will from now on be the venue where the parishioners can meet the Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, at their convenience, from 5.30 a.m. till 10 p.m.

In the words of our parish priest, Fr Kalcidon Vassallo, who deserves a word of congratulation and appreciation for this holy and beneficial initiative, this chapel will be the power-house of our parish, where we can recharge our life in the often dry and parched desert of modern times. It will be an oasis of peace and serenity, from where "with joy we will draw water at the fountain of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).

Let us avail ourselves of this excellent opportunity and procure a daily slot in our often tight time schedule. "Oh, that today you would hear his voice: Harden not your hearts..." (Psalm 95:7-8).