FESTA SANT’ ANNA w’ SAN GWAKKIN AT PWALES CHAPEL ON 12TH JULY 2025
Dear ALPS members and friends,
This years’ festa celebration of Sant Anna w’ San Gwakkin at the Pwales hamlet, has been celebrated with much joy and happiness. A sizeable congregation was gathered on the chapel parvis to hear Holy Mass on the occasion of celebrating this yearly event of festa Sant Anna fil-Pwales. In his usual style Spiritual Director Fr. William Bartolo, delivered a very interesting sermon for the occasion. He was accompanied by Fr. Mauro who is only 26 years old, and with much pride he has recounted his journey into priesthood. Everyone listened carefully to his story and what really instigated him to join the Franciscan order and become a Patri. We all wish him continued success in his priestly life and may God Bless him.
For festa Sant’Anna this year, we also had another newcomer by the name of Antoine Mifsud. He hails from Xemxija St. Paul’s Bay and has recently been spending some days ” ta Dixxerniment ” for him to quietly take his final decision to enter priesthood. The Association of Lyceum Past Students – ALPS, is happy to have been of some help, by permitting Antoine, to spend some quiet days at the Kappella Pwales for meditation.
One can easily describe Festa Pwales this year 2025, as a most wonderful experience with plenty of surprises, that have all been liked by those who came to participate. We augur, that for future years, the same peace and joy can be derived, when we are together and celebrating such a memorable occasion that comes only once a year.
A special thanks goes to our dear Pwales neighbours the Vella / Bezzina families who come and bring along their family and friends. They also entertain the congregation with freshly grown bettieh & dullieh grown in their fields below the chapel surroundings. For 2025 they have also added some coloured fireworks display to add to the merriment of this occasion.
Last but not least, a big thank you message goes to Secretary General Mark Darmanin. At a great sacrifice and with much dedication, whilst assisted by past secretary Alex Borg, he prepared some exquisite and mouthwatering maltese hobs biz-zejt with special ingredients. All those who have attended, were seen taking a second helping of this summer delicacy. Thanks to ALPS member Milo Vassallo who intervened from Canada, refreshments that had been kindly donated by the Simonds Farsons Group, were served together with some glasses of wine and chocolate muffins too.
A short speech was delivered by Immediate Past President George Stagno Navarra, who as always, paid tribute to Founder President Dr. Guido Saliba who had initiated the ALPS. The Lyceum teachers as well as all past council members who have passed away, were duly mentioned and thanked for their sterling services over the years. To members and friends who were unable to attend for festa this year, a message of encouragement was sent to them too, auguring peace, good health and happiness to each one of them.
ALPS COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION – JULY 2025
