Fr Martin Galea, the newly elected Superior General of the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP), returned to familiar grounds as he visited St Paul’s Missionary College in Malta. His visit coincided with the College’s 60th anniversary celebrations, marking six decades since its foundation.
Fr Martin is no stranger to the College, having attended as a secondary student for five years before later serving extensively as Spiritual Director to the Senior School and Chaplain to the Junior School. His visit was not only a homecoming but an opportunity for meaningful encounters, affirming and supporting the ongoing work at the College.
During the visit, Fr Martin celebrated Mass with the Senior School students, sharing his personal vocational journey. He recounted how his time at the College planted the first seeds of his calling, leading him to transition from computer science studies to discovering his vocation as a missionary priest with the MSSP. He encouraged students to embrace their own callings, reminding them that responding to God’s invitation is the key to deep and lasting joy.
Later, he met with Junior School students in a special assembly, where he blessed both students and staff, inspiring them to seek God and appreciate the beauty of life.
A key moment of the visit was an interactive session with Senior 3 students, where they had the opportunity to ask Fr Martin a range of questions. Topics included his decision to leave IT studies for the priesthood, his family’s reaction, the challenges of missionary work, and the Church’s role in today’s society. The students also engaged in discussions on personal experiences, such as his childhood pranks, hobbies, and fond school memories. Notably, the conversation also touched various social issues and how Christians can approach these topics within the light of the Gospel.
Beyond student interactions, Fr Martin also met with the MSSP priests forming part of the School’s chaplaincy, the pastoral care teams of both the Junior and Senior Schools, and the Senior Leadership Team. These meetings provided a platform to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing the College, reinforcing the shared mission of making St Paul’s Missionary College a place of encounter with God and community.
Fr Martin’s visit was a poignant reminder of the College’s legacy in shaping lives and vocations. His presence not only celebrated the past but also strengthened the vision for the future, ensuring that the school remains a beacon of faith, learning, and mission for generations to come.