On October 6-10, 2025, the Province of St. Paul the Apostle in Malta celebrated an Extraordinary Provincial Chapter. The event took place at the Franciscan Cultural Center in Birkirkara, Malta.
The Minister General, Friar Carlos Alberto TROVARELLI, presided, assisted by the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Colin Charles SAMMUT, who had served as the Minister Provincial during this four-year term.
The Chapter opened with a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards the Minister General made some introductory remarks in the Chapter Hall. Next, the Vicar Provincial, Friar Paul DARMANIN, reported on the life and work of the friars over the last two years. The friars also had some time to personally reflect on their presence in the fraternity. In the afternoon, the Minister General met with the Provincial Definitory to outline the work of the Chapter over the coming days, when concrete decisions regarding the life of the Province shall be made.
The second day of the Chapter opened with a meditation on St. Francis’ reflection on “True Joy.” This helped the Capitulars evaluate the experiences the friars had in recent years, which they shared the previous day. The challenges pointed out by a small number of friars have invited the Province to discover new paths that the Spirit inspires it to follow. In the afternoon, the Minister General met again with the Provincial Definitory for further insights.
The third day of the Provincial Chapter began with the recitation of a Marian devotion known as the Akathistos Hymn. Some of the friars’ activities were discussed, and some proposals for the financial administration of the Province and the friaries were voted on. In the evening, the friars met at the friary in Valletta, where the new penitentiary, one of the projects approved by the 2023 Ordinary Provincial Chapter, was blessed.
The fourth day of the Chapter began with a moment of Eucharistic adoration. This was followed by further discussion and voting on the Pastoral Unit [a collaborative grouping of neighboring parishes] in the St. Paul’s Bay area. The Capitulars decided to make the friary in Qawra a filial house of the friary in St. Paul’s Bay. The Capitulars also discussed and voted on proposals regarding youth ministry, the mission in India, and the idea of collaborating with a Maltese non-governmental organization on a project to promote the life and dignified death of very young children.
On the last day of the Chapter, the Vicar Provincial presided over Mass. After continuing the discussion and voting on the final proposal from the previous day, the Capitulars elected the members of the new Provincial Definitory. They are Friars Andrew GALEA (Pro-Vicar Provincial, first term), Arthur CUTAJAR (Provincial Secretary, first term), Mario SANT (Definitor, first term), and Damian VELIYIL (Definitor, first term).
Friar Allister M. AQUILINA, Chapter Secretary
