Malta

Compliments of the season from Malta. ‘Mbula Esili; Bonne Anné! The end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 were characterised by various events. The outstanding one for the Jesuits in formation (JIF) in the Euro-Mediterranean province (EUM) was the meeting in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, from 27^th Dec to 1^st Jan. There were about 35 Jesuits, almost all from the EUM province, together with some Jesuits from Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Kenya and India. The program was animated by the provincial, Fr Roberto Del Riccio, SJ and the delegate of formation, Fr Michael Bugeja, SJ. It had moments of prayer and reflection on the themes of vocation and formation at individual and group levels. There was also an opportunity to get to know the Romanian territory through meetings with the representative of the Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Greek Catholic Bishop of Bucharest, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bucharest. The Jesuits also got an opportunity to attend the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine rite, celebrated by one of the JIF members. Other attractive places to visit were the Romanian parliament, the JRS Romania and the Angelus TV studios among other monumental places. This was a golden opportunity to grow in deep understanding of selves, the Apostolic desires of the Society and the needs of the world as well as building global relationships. Anou fericit!