Yesterday, Friday the 28th of March, the feast of Christ the Redeemer, the Church in Malta and Gozo began the celebration entitled ‘Feast of Forgiveness.’

It will also be celebrated on Thursday, the 10th of April, on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Last Sunday, Pope Francis, whose messages often allude to God’s mercy, invited all Christians to participate in a similar initiative, held on Friday and today, Saturday, at St Peter’s Basilica and several other churches in Rome.

On the initiative of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, the ‘Feast of Forgiveness’ will be held in Malta and Gozo on two separate days. On Friday, 28th March, five churches in Malta and another in Gozo remained open until late for confessions.

In five churches, the penitential celebration will commence with the celebration of Holy Mass. The churches were:

In Gozo at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, Gozo. Bishop Mario Grech celebrated Mass after which there were priests available to hear confessions until midnight. The seminarians who attend the Gozo Seminary animated.

The parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Senglea: Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. lead the annual pilgrimage with the Miraculous Statute of Christ the Redeemer. Following the pilgrimage, the Archbishop celebrated Mass, after which priests were available to hear confessions until midnight. The Youth Fellowship group animated.

St Mary’s Parish, Birkirkara. Mgr Anton Gouder, Pro-Vicar General, celebrated Mass, after which priests were available to hear confessions until midnight. The Charismatic Movement animated.

The Millennium Chapel, Paceville. Bishop Charles J. Scicluna celebrated Mass after which priests were available to hear confessions until 2.00am. The Millennium Chapel youths animated.

The parish of St Francis, Qawra. Fr Charles Tabone O.P., the Archbishop’s Delegate, celebrated Mass after which priests were available for confessions until midnight. The Neo-Cathecumenal Movement animated.

The chapel at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat. Confessions were heard between 10.00 p.m. and midnight. The seminarians animated.

The Bishops encourage the faithful to participate and invite others to participate in this ‘Feast of Forgiveness,’ which may serve as an opportunity for those people who feel distanced from God to approach Him. “The priest, in the name of Christ, welcomes them with open arms and with a merciful and compassionate heart that is disposed to forgive.”

Details of the ‘Feast of Forgiveness’ which will be held on Thursday, the 10th of April, on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, will be announced at a later date.

Photographs – Curia Communications Office:Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. lead the annual pilgrimage with the Miraculous Statute of Christ the Redeemer.

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