Five Gozitan priests marked the 50th priesthood anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, followed by the singing of the Salve Regina in front of the painting of Our Lady in the chapel behind the main altar.

The priests - Mgr Carmelo Hili  and Can. Salv Sultana  of Xagħra, Fr George Mercieca  of Xewkija, Can. Joseph Tabone  of Għarb and Fr Joseph Vella of Żebbuġ were ordained priests by Bishop Nikol Cauchi at the Cathedral on May 11, 1968.

Other priests ordained on the day were Mgr Salv Borg  of Victoria and Can. Karm Cini of Żebbuġ, both deseased,  Mgr Alfred Grima of Xewkija who is in Canada, Mgr Anton Refalo of Xagħra who was away in Rome, Can. Joseph Sultana of Xagħra, parish priest in Canada and Mgr Publius Xuereb of Qala who lives in the US.

After Mass the five priests cut a cake presented to them by Ta’ Pinu rector Fr Gerald Buhagiar. Seen here are, from left, Fr Vella, Mgr Hili, Fr Mercieca, Can. Sultana and Can. Tabone.

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