The Capuchin friars at the Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary, Victoria, recently celebrated the feast of their patron saint St. Francis of Assisi.
H.E. Mgr. Joseph Alessandro OFM Cap. Coadjutor Bishop of Garissa, Kenya, led a solemn concelebrated Mass and delivered the homily.
Afterwards, Bishop Alessandro met and spoke with members of the congregation and blessed the pets that were brought along to the church parvis. He also blessed and released a pair of doves, as a symbol of peace.
For the occasion, a photographic exhibition of the missionary work of the Capuchin friars in Kenya was set up in one of the chapels of the Sanctuary.
Photograph: Charles Spiteri.