Every month, different groups of students from our Secondary Campus, have the opportunity of participating meetings with the community of Friars at Pieta’. During this time they have a good plate of pasta or pizza, moments of prayer, discussion groups and also a bit of playtime in the convent’s basement that is equipped with a variety of relaxing activities such as billiard, table tennis, table soccer, board games, etc....

These activities are organised monthly by the College’s chaplaincy together with the community of Friars during the students’ breaks and also after school hours. Apart from these meetings, live-ins are also organised in the convent as also other similar activities outside school hours. These are just a few of the activities that are held during the year as part of the pastoral work with youths and vocational discernment.

The walk to Santiago

The Augustinian Youths group Malta is currently making preparations to undergo an experience in Spain as part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage planned for the upcoming Summer recess. This experience, typically known simply as “Camino de Santiago”, is an encounter of numerous pilgrims from all around the World who walk along various pilgrim routes which meet at the tomb of St. James (Santiago) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

This involves walking different routes of at least 100km in the form of a spiritual retreat, and for this reason the Augustinian Youths group is now undertaking various physical challenges as part of the preparations necessary to undertake such a journey. Training has recently involved several walks of approximately 15km around the island of Malta and along different routes with varying terrain and difficulty. Several other walks are planned along the way, effectively leading to the ultimate Camino experience which is intended as a 10-day journey along the Portuguese route during the month of August 2022.

This route, also known as the Coastal Way, is a quieter but equally impressive alternative route to the traditional central way of the Portuguese Camino. Our starting point will be the beautiful city of Porto and follows the Atlantic coastline and the sandy beaches of Northern Portugal and Galicia. The scope of undertaking these challenges in preparation for the Camino is not a competitive one, as the purpose stretches beyond the level of fitness of the person undertaking the journey. Whilst some pilgrims might take longer than other to make it to Santiago de Compostela, the challenge is merely a personal and spiritual one. However, physical preparation before our departure will be a massive benefit for the group along the way, reducing the chances of injuries and adding strength and stability training to keep our Maltese pilgrims steady.

The entire group is composed of around ten individuals from different walks of life, with distinct talents, abilities, interests and experiences, and together this gives us strength and hope to support one another mentally, physically and spiritually so that this experience will be fruitful towards one another, leaving a positive impact within the lives of everyone of us. 

This is one of the few activities being organized by Augustinian Youths. Various other activities such as discussions, hikes, moments of prayers, voluntary work etc... are offered to youths between 20 and 35yrs. If you are in this age bracket or know someone who would like to join Augustinian Youths, you can contact Fr Terence Spiteri osa on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through Augustinian Youths Facebook. 

Edward Abela

In a message from the General Curia, Fr Paul Graham OSA, Assistant to the Prior General and Coordinator of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, appealed to the whole Order of Saint Augustine “to pray for Peace during this dangerous moment when Russia has decided to invade Ukraine”.

In his message he outlined the fact that “the consequences of war are unpredictable and no one knows how this crisis will end.” It can actually have “catastrophic consequences for the entire world and not just for Europe.”

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has launched a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Wednesday, March 2, which will be Ash Wednesday. On behalf of the General Council and the Commission, Fr. Paul urged all members of the Augustinian family to unite with all the faithful around the world in this initiative.”.

The Augustinian treatise, de catechizandis rudibus is considered to be one of great importance for the teaching of the principles of the Catholic Faith to beginners. Prof. Salvino Caruana OSA, Director of the Augustinian Institute (Malta), has translated the text into Maltese (200p.). In the words of a Dutch scholar in Augustinian texts and theology in Utrecht, Prof. Joost van Neer, Augustine’s effort to provide the deacon Deogratias with some flowing ideas on how to transmit the Catholic Faith to beginners: The result was this work, which can today still benefit all educators in the broadest sense of the term (Augustinus 61 (2021): 227).

The text was due to be read and analysed in a series of lectures during the second semester of academic year 2021-2022 at the Augustinian Institute. Unfortunately, however, due to increased cases of COVID-19, it was deemed safer to postpone the semester. Some 12 participants received the printed Augustinian text by post. To the rest the book was delivered by the Director personally in a visit to the participants. The book is on sale for €15.

Each participant in academic year 2021-2022 was given two texts: Waħda u Sħiħa hija l-Imħabba (10 Homilies of Augustine on First Letter of John to the Parthians) (283p.), and Itterraq fit-Twemmin ma’ S. Wistin (de catechizandis rudibus) (200p.), and the book My Pen’s Toil, as a gift. For further info re publications of Prof. S. Caruana, or other info, please kindly contact Prof. S. Caruana OSA Augustinian Institute PO Box 61 Msida PO MSD 1000; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; mob.: 7929 4177.