Mary,
the Wonder of God

St. George Preca's book, Id-Dixxipulat (Discipleship), outlines the life programme set by Jesus Christ for those who wish to follow Him. The term disciple suggests a student-like willingness to learn and practice the teachings of the Master. In the first part of the book, titled Examples of Topic, Preca provides a solid foundation of spiritual teachings to build one's faith. This section is meant to be read reflectively, encouraging contemplation on various topics such as God's perfection, the will of God, moral principles, and how to avoid sin. The second part of the book discusses what St. George calls Programmes in the School of Christ Jesus. These are twenty-six subjects offering practical ways to persevere in discipleship. Topics include the spirit of rejection and persecution, love, penance, living the faith with perseverance, right intention, and silence. Essentially, Preca urges us to follow Jesus according to the guidelines presented in the Gospels. St. George Preca encourages us to focus on Jesus, referring to Him as the new man, the divine man, and the spiritual man. By following the programmes in the school of Jesus with an open heart and firm will, assisted with God's grace, we can put his teaching into action and achieve spiritual perfection. Examples of Topic - What does God want? God wants that we know him, serve him and love him. God wants that we sincerely love one another. God wants that we do everything for his glory. God wants that wMe do others as we want to be done to us. God wants that we respect our parents. God wants that we deny ourselves. God wants that we give everyone what is his or hers. God wants that we adore him in spirit and in truth. God wants that we fulfil our vows. God wants that were turn everything that is not ours. Programme in the School of Jesus Christ - Obedience With regard to the virtue of obedience, Christ said, “It is not anyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Mt 7,21). He also said, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work” (Jn 4,34). Thus the programme in the school of Jesus Christ is obedience.  

When considering our spiritual life, we often tend to view it in an abstract and vague manner, which can make it challenging to discern precisely what actions are necessary for our transformation and spiritual growth. However, this posed no issue for St. Gregory of Nyssa. In one of his homilies, the saint explains: “Think of iron, which at one moment is dark and tarnished and the next, once the rust has been scraped off, shines and glistens brightly in the sun. It is the same with the inner core of man, which the Lord calls the heart. It has been in damp and foul places and is covered in patches of rust; but once the rust has been scraped off, it will recover itself and once more resemble its archetype (Jesus). And so it will be good, since what resembles the good must be good itself. Whoever is pure in heart is blessed because, seeing his own purity, he sees the archetype reflected in the image.”

Following I Am, a children’s book published by Lara Fenech, comes When I Grow Up – Heidi’s Show and Tell. It poetically narrates the vibrant morning when a teacher, Ms Hannah, invites her young students to share their dreams for the future. Amongst the kaleidoscope of colours, costumes and jobs, Heidi, one of the students, secretly has a dream she wishes to share. The concept of 'show and tell' fosters public speaking skills in children to feel more comfortable speaking in front of their peers, using descriptive words and full sentences. Through this publication Lara continues to reach out to young souls, sharing the love, peace and reassurance Jesus offers us in an emotionally challenging world. Available from Librerija Preca.

St George Preca had a true devotion to our Mother Mary. He used to invite people to make three bows to Our Lady, in honor of her immaculate conception, her motherhood and her ascension to heaven. Moreover, he had a special devotion to Our Mother of Good Counsel. On a wall in his house, Preca had an image of Our Mother of Good Counsel and whenever he passed by it, he would pray: Mother of Good Counsel, pray for me. The chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, next to the SDC General House in Blata l-Bajda is a living monument of his effort in favour of this particular devotion. The daily prayer of the Holy Rosary was indispensable for St George Preca. In 1957, he wrote five new mysteries, the Mysteries of Light to help the SDC Members meditate on the public life of Christ. These are very similar to the Mysteries of Light that Pope John Paul II officially added to the mysteries of the Holy Rosary in October 2002 with his Apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. The writings of S. George Preca about Mother Mary are numerous. These include prayers and various programmes to celebrate the major Marian feast throughout the year.   O Blessed Virgin, O Gate of Heaven, O Mother of Mercy, O Delight of God: pray for us, because we know that he who bestowed on you the dignity of Divine Motherhood will not deny you anything. Amen. O Mary, you are great indeed! We acknowledge your greatness, because you are the Mother of our Saviour who is true God and true man while being one divine person, and therefore, you are the Mother of God, because he is a divine person, the second person of the Holy Trinity.

Pope Francis, in his letter On the Role of Literature in Formation, published on July 17, 2024, underscores the essential role that literature plays in shaping the human soul and intellect. He begins by acknowledging the profound influence that great literary works have had on individuals and societies throughout history. Literature, he argues, is more than just an art form; it is a medium through which we encounter the depths of human experience, exploring themes of love, suffering, joy, and hope. It provides a space where readers can grapple with fundamental questions of existence, morality, and spirituality. The Pope emphasizes that literature has the power to develop empathy by allowing readers to see the world through the eyes of others, fostering a greater understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. This empathetic engagement is crucial for building a more just and compassionate society. Moreover, literature stimulates critical thinking, challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and assumptions. It invites them to question the status quo and to imagine new possibilities for the future. Pope Francis also highlights the importance of literature in the spiritual and moral formation of individuals. Through stories and characters, literature can inspire readers to pursue virtue, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with the divine. He calls on educators, parents, and leaders to promote the reading of quality literature as a means of nurturing the moral and intellectual growth of the young. In a world increasingly dominated by superficiality and instant gratification, the Pope urges a return to the contemplative and reflective engagement that literature demands. Finally, Pope Francis concludes by reminding us that literature is not just a private endeavor but a communal one, capable of uniting people across time and space. It is a gift to be shared, and through it, we can contribute to the flourishing of humanity. The letter serves as a call to recognize and embrace the transformative power of literature in the ongoing formation of individuals and society. The full version of this letter can be found here!

In the Creed, we confess, “We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church". We profess that we form part of the same Church that Christ founded on the Apostles. In the Gospel, we read that Jesus used to summon the Twelve to teach them, and before ascending to heaven, he commissioned them to spread the Good News to all nations. The Apostles then chose other disciples as leaders to continue with this mission on their behalf. This apostolic succession ensured both the transmission of faith and the authenticity of the Christian teaching that can only be delivered by the apostolic Church. There are few Maltese translations of the writings of the Church Fathers, which show the beauty of the wisdom of early Christian teaching. Through this series, we can now find a collection of writings in Maltese that reveal the beauty of our Christian faith. Through these writings, one can find reliable answers to the faith-related questions that one might have. Available from Librerija Preca.