The Diocese of Gozo has announced that the Episcopal Consecration of Mons. Anton Teuma as the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Gozo, will be on Sunday, the 13th of September at the Cathedral of the Assumption, with the Solemn Entrance at 5.30pm.

Mgr. Mario Grech, Apostolic Administrator for Gozo will lead the ceremony. The Diocese said that in preparation, a Prayer Vigil will be held on the Parvis of the Ta’ Pinu National Sanctuary, on Friday, the 11th of September, at 8.00pm, which will continue with a night of Eucharistic adoration in the Basilica.

The Church in Gozo will give thanks to God for the episcopal ministry of Mgr. Mario Grech as its spiritual Shepherd through a solemn Concelebration of Thanks at the Cathedral on Saturday, the 5th of September, at 6.00pm.

The Motto – “And he walked along with them”

The motto chosen to illuminate the episcopal ministry of Bishop Anton Teuma is taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke, chapter 24, verse 15: “And he walked along with them,” with reference to the story of Jesus meeting with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus.

This motto will also forms part of his coat of arms.

In the passage is says that the Risen Jesus approached the two disciples and continued to accompany them on the their way, explaining to them what the Scriptures said about him.

The Diocese said that this motto somehow complements what Bishop Mario Grech had chosen from the same passage for his episcopate: “During the breaking of the bread”.

In the words of the Bishop-elect, “the Lord Jesus is the same God made man who takes on the human nature to become one of the children of men. He walks like a pilgrim among people even on the road to Emmaus, which is in the opposite direction to Jerusalem.”

He said, “in this walk he enlightens people with the Word, to become a beacon for them while also leading them to the Eucharist, the community that believes – the Church – lives in the liturgical celebration which translates into the concrete experience of a life given to others. Therefore, Jesus’ encounter with people is capable of changing their direction and return them back to Jerusalem.”

The Diocese said that by choosing this motto, the new spiritual Shepherd of the Diocese of Gozo wishes to convey the “good news” that “Jesus is always ready to walk with man in the spirit of hearing, of receiving, of understanding, of love and of the hope of deliverance to every person, that is to do so with empathy, accompaniment and enthusiasm.”

Photos by Joe Grech

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