Following the local authority’s announcement the Seminary is now open for public worship adhering to government guidelines. Mass at the Seminary on Wednesday is at 11am.
Anglicans and other English speaking Christians have been meeting together on Gozo for many years. Around the 1970’s, Miss E. Sevenoaks saw a need and went to see the Chancellor of St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, resulting in a regular Anglican monthly weekday service. By the 1980’s Mrs Hilda Robinson was playing a leading role maintaining services on Gozo. Mr Arthur Walsh, a licensed Reader, came to holiday on Gozo in 1978 and he took part in Anglican services held at Manresa House. In 1993, Arthur aided by Robert (Steve) Stevenson, a Lay Assistant, and encouraged by the Chaplain, Canon Philip Cousins, started a regular “Songs of Praise”, and Steve also started an Anglican Carol Service, both at the Calypso Hotel in Marsalforn. Around this time, Bishop Coleman, a Canadian, was also able to help with Anglican services.
Fr Victor Albutt a retired priest living on Gozo, held a Lenten series in his home in 1989. From 1991 more regular services were held for the first time in the Chapel of the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria. At first the Eucharist was celebrated monthly, and then fortnightly, and assistance was initially given by Fr Victor Albutt. Throughout these years regular and occasional visitors joined the “resident Anglicans” and attendances grew to a point where there was a need for weekly services. From Lent 2003 the Eucharist has been held each Wednesday and with additional services at special occasions, by the Chaplains from Malta. From September 2007 an additional service of Compline-Night Prayer was introduced on the first Sunday of the month at Manresa Retreat House Chapel.
The Dedication in 2005 of this, the third congregation of the Anglican Church in Malta and Gozo was promoted and supported by the Senior Chaplain & Chancellor of St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral – Canon Tom Mendel (2004 – 2008). A Warden’s Staff was donated to mark the dedication 23rd April 2005 and was blessed during the Eucharist service in the Basilica of St George, Victoria.
On the first Anniversary 23rd April 2006, a Diptych of Icons, were blessed during the St George’s Day Patronal service at Gharb Basilica.They were purchased from donations, and were made and painted by Marianne Hacquebard, a Dutch artist, with close ties to Gozo. On the fifth Anniversary of the dedication in 2010 Bishop David Hamid, the Suffragan Bishop of Europe, celebrated Mass in St George’s Basilica for a large Congregation in the presence of the Archpriest of St. George’s and his predecessor. A celebratory luncheon followed. On the 22nd April 2015 with the kind permission of the Archpriest of St George’s Basilica and the Bishop of Gozo,both of whom were present, a 10th Anniversary Mass was celebrated by the Chancellor of St Paul’s Pro- Cathedral Canon Simon Godfrey and an Anniversary Lunch followed with Mons Mario Grech the Bishop of Gozo and many friends .The Ecumenical dimension of the Chaplaincy is of great importance to Gozo Anglicans and we take every opportunity to attend events on the Islands. A recent example being a Service of ” Opening the Doors of the Metropolitan Cathedral” to celebrate the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy instituted by HH Pope Francis .Members of the congregation were expressly asked to participate and attend. The Congregation in Gozo is under the prayerful protection and watchful patronage of Our Lady The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George The Martyr.
Welcome to Our Lady and St George in Gozo. We are the Anglican community in Gozo and you are very welcome to join us on Wednesday at the Roman Catholic Seminary in Victoria. The Mass begins at 11am and we would welcome the opportunity to meet you.
Simon Godfrey
The Anglican Community in Gozo do not have a church building but use the Seminary Chapel by the kind permission of the Bishop of Gozo and the Rector.
