On Monday, San Lawrenz welcomed the reliquary of the arm of St Paul. At 6.00pm the community gathered in the square where it welcomed this important reliquary for our islands and a marathon of activities connected with these events began.

Parish Priest Fr Nazju Borg led a short procession to the church and then after prayers gave the Sacramental Blessing. At 7.00pm all the clergy of the parish celebrated Eucharist and the Archpriest of Birgu joined them for this occasion.

In his homily the parish priest explained how the occasion was a unique experience, as well as another opportunity for conversion through the word of God. He urged everyone to imitate St Paul in the way he stopped from life’s routine, and to know and accept Christ into their life. In this way they also could spread the word of Christ as Paul had done. He reminded them that the diocese of Gozo is giving them this opportunity through the Diocesan Mission.

After mass the kissing of the reliquary took place. The reliquary was then taken to the Lectio Divina group with whom Fr Charles led a prayer meeting and at the end blessed those present with the arm of St Paul, the same arm that blessed the Maltese in the year 60 AD when the same Apostle was there amongst everyone preaching the faith.

On Tuesday, the Parish Priest and the Clergy escorted the reliquary to the Parish of Kercem.