What does God want from me? What is His wish regarding my life? What is His call for me? Where can I find true happiness in this world?

These are difficult questions that could create fear in us but at the same time we are invited to have faith in God who is our Father and promised to accompany us throughout our life on this earth. His promise overcomes all uncertainties, doubts and suffering.

The answer to the question “What does God ask of me” is between yourself and God but there are various aspects that can help you in your reflections (discernment) so as to enable you to answer honestly and to be faithful to God’s calling.

Before considering what sort of call God has for you there is a wider question – what sort of holiness does God expect of me? Everybody is called to a life of holiness: laity; committed single; those who are married; religious and priests. This is a universal call that applies to everybody. Ultimately, God is not going to ask me if he was a priest or a married person but if I loved others. St. John of the Cross says that at the end of our life we are going to be judged only by the love we have shown.

What is going to be my status in life? How am I going to discern to what path I have been called: a religious life; a priestly life; a lay committed single person? Marriage with the intention of raising a family? Is this the person with whom I am to share my life and to promise to respect and love throughout my life?

Therefore, the vocational question becomes: Which call will make you love and to give yourself to God and to others: by raising a family; to become a priest; to lead a religious life; or that of a lay committed single? I wish to share with you some aspects that should help you to continue seeking and discovering what God wishes from you.

Your relations with God are most important during this period of reflection and important decisions affecting your life. Let God’s word accompany you in your walk, impart the Eucharist which is our life’s food and drink, praise God and be thankful for your life and do not refrain from spending time before the Eucharist in God’s presence. Reflect on the sincere desire to give yourself to others because every call has the objective of giving oneself to others.

Listen to the wishes that emanate from your heart. So that you will become aware of the happiness God has prepared for you; He speaks in the silence of the heart and through what you experience; through the persons whom you meet. It is quite normal for you to feel troubled and sometimes you will even experience opposing wishes. Since when have you been feeling this particular call? The persistence and perseverance of this wish will continue to enlighten you on everything.

An important aspect during this period of reflection is the principle of reality. We all know that it is God who calls us, and another who accepts to live his life with you. This is the external reality – if we recognise a call for married life we realise that there has to be a reciprocal desire from both persons; I cannot think that I love the other person if that person does not feel the same emotions and has no wish to get to know me.

The same applies to the call for a religious/priestly life. It is the Church that calls/invites and welcomes a person to help in God’s field. That is why it is important that the discernment is carried out by you as well as by the Church (by the person who accompanies you in your vocational walk – a vocational companion, spiritual director, teacher etc.). This aspect continues to assist you in seeking your authentic and sincerer call that God has for you.

It is possible that fear will stop you and will not permit you to continue seeking God’s call for you. There is a possibility of one being fearful that God is calling us for something that will not bring us happiness. God does not wish that our call and our life will bring with it unhappiness but the purpose of our call is to save us and to give us life. The true call is that which fills us with happiness and enthusiasm; that which gives us real peace in our heart and allows us to be our own self. You should not force yourself to change your personality so as to accept that particular call. The answer should come naturally and be accompanied by a wish always to better discern yourself in a continual development over time. God will prepare and change us for whatever we need.

I am afraid that I will be uncapable of living and to carry out what God desires of me.

A common fear is personal fear - a fear that I may not be capable, a modesty that stops me from moving ahead in life, a fear of my own shortcomings. These are all normal fears and you should not let these distract you from placing yourself in God’s hands. Our fears and shortcomings are part and parcel of life and through these we continue to discover ourselves. Can one overcome these? Yes, you can, but with much patience; this takes a lot of time, prayer and help from different other persons (friends, spiritual director, professional helper etc.). We need the help of others for us to get up and rid ourselves of these doubts.

If you wish to respond to the call coming from your heart, have courage and do not lose heart, God will be with you also in those moments when you do not feel His presence. Ahead of you is a difficult path with great challenges; it is possible that those around you are not making the same choice; you feel against the current and the road ahead is indeed a narrow one. Do not wait until you are in heaven to feel God’s love …… but start from here! God is listening to you. Place yourself in His hands ……let Him lead you ……make the first step today!

If you wish better to discover what God wishes of you, contact Fr. Terence Spiteri osa on 2122 2884 or by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fr. Terence Spiteri osa

Vocational companion

A Moment of Prayer

The Feast of The Conversion of St. Augustine

April 24, 2020

1. Song

2. Sign of the Cross

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen

3. Introduction

The Conversion of Saint Augustine: unconditional openness to the Lord – radical change: total trust and availability – Infinite love of God opens us up to hope – In this time of the pandemic we place ourselves in the merciful hands of the Risen Christ.

4. Prayer from Saint Augustine

First reader: O God, Creator of the universe, grant me first rightly to invoke You; then to show myself worthy to be heard by You; finally, to receive redemption from You. God, through whom all things, which of themselves were not, tend to be. God, who withholds from perishing even that which seems to be mutually destructive. God, who, out of nothing, has created this world, which the eyes of all perceive to be most beautiful. God, who does not cause evil, but allows it in order to avoid greater evil.

Second reader: God, who art loved, wittingly or unwittingly, by everything that is capable of loving. God, in whom are all things, to whom nevertheless neither the vileness of any creature is vile, nor its wickedness harmful, nor its error erroneous. God, the Father of truth, the Father of wisdom, the Father of the true and crowning life, the Father of blessedness, the Father of that which is good and fair, the Father of intelligible light, the Father of our awakening and illumination, the Father of the pledge by which we are admonished to return to You.

First reader: God, from whom to be turned away, is to fall: to whom to be turned back, is to rise again: in whom to abide, is to stand firm. God, from whom to go forth, is to die: to whom to return, is to revive: in whom to have our dwelling, is to live. God, whom no one loses, unless deceived: whom no one seeks, unless stirred up: whom no one finds, unless made pure. God, whom to forsake, is one thing with perishing; towards whom to tend, is one thing with living: whom to see is one thing with having. God, towards whom faith rouses us, hope lifts us up, with whom love joins us.

Second reader: Heal and open my ears, that I may hear Your utterances. Heal and open my eyes, that I may behold Your significations of command. Drive delusion from me, that I may recognize You. Tell me whither I must tend, to behold You, and I hope that I shall do all things You may enjoin. If it is by faith that those find You, who take refuge with You then grant faith: if by virtue, grant virtue: if by knowledge, grant knowledge. Augment in me, faith, hope, and charity.

First reader: Whatever concerns the welfare of this mortal body of mine, so long as I do not know how it may serve either myself or those I love, to Thee, Father, wisest and greatest, do I commit it, and I pray that Thou wilt admonish me concerning it as shall be needful. You I entreat, O Goodness, singular and most to be admired! Amen! Amen!

 (Soliloquies 1,1,2-3.5-6).

5. Brief silence (after each paragraph or at the end)

 One can also insert these antiphons after each paragraph:

 “Late have I loved You, O eternal Beauty, late have I loved You, Beauty so ancient and so new!”

 “Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est”

 “Misericordias Domini, in aeternum cantabo”

6. Pray together:

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory to the Father

7. Prayer:

 + Almighty and merciful God, refreshment in our weariness, support in our weakness, comfort in our sadness. We come to you to invoke your mercy, since today we still experience the fragility of the human condition in the presence of this viral pandemic. Listen to the prayer we offer through the intercession of Saint Augustine, comfort your children, save us from the present distress and open our hearts to be people of hope.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

R/. Amen.

8. Blessing

 + The Lord be with you.

R/. And with your spirit.

+ May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

R/. Amen.

 or:

 + May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

R/. Amen.

9. Final Song

Download this moment of prayer

Moment of Prayer with Saint Augustine

Dear youths,

My name is Augustine. Although I lived a long time ago, I am still alive through all that I wrote and left behind me.  I would like, by means of this short letter, to have a brief encounter with you telling you about my experience of life, my trials, reflections and how much the God of surprises was continuously present notwithstanding the various doubts and difficulties which I came across in my youth. This is because of my human nature and the fact of living amongst other human beings (cf Letter 78,8), and “what is my heart if not a human heart?”. (De Trinitate IV, prol. 1). Therefore, my friend, these are some scattered thoughts on my reflections which, I trust, will serve as an encouragement and hope to you throughout your lifetime.

I always sought, and my heart had, a thirst for the truth. At the same time, I did not keep all this to myself but, through my writings, I tried to share my experience as a human being by praying to God. This experience instilled in me courage in spite of the disheartening feeling I went through although God was always present in my life, even when I abandoned Him and even escaped from or ignored the warnings of my beloved mother. How often we do experience such situations!

At the same time, I know that life is a continuous change, there is always good in what we think, in the way we look at everything and this all through the experiences we go through. And in the face of all these circumstances, a beautiful image which I have so much to heart is that of a pilgrim; a person always searching and thinking that he/she has not achieved his/her aims; and always open to new experiences, to Gods’ surprises, to His presence. And without you wanting, you face the question, but what is my destination?

I encourage you heartily: “always add something; continue your journey without stopping; don’t stop half-way; don’t go back.” (Sermon 169,15,18) This stage of one’s interiority is a journey as also a meeting point. It is a journey that leads to other intimate and personal matters and also gives us space for ourselves, for others, and to be with God. This is because the vital questions and one’s fears are found in our interiority. Thus, “where are you going? Turn to your heart.” (Treatise on St. John’s Gospel, 18,10)

Is it not a fact that we raise many questions? Questions such as: Who am I? Where do I stand? Who lives in my heart? What is the scope of my life? Whence did I come? Where am I going? Is this the right path? What are the profound needs and wishes that I have for my life? What are the points of contradiction and excesses in my life? ..... and when we are asking these questions we are searching (cf Commentary on the Psalms 144,13) And all this through our interiority, where we find ourselves. There is nothing more fascinating than when one discovers his/her reality. Because, what defines a person is his/her internal world, decisions, and sentiments. Because a human being “cannot do anything externally without giving thought to what is inside him/her.” (Commentary on the Psalms 125,8)

Therefore, my friend, don’t be afraid to ask questions. These questions are not only a search for more wisdom, but for life and for love. (cf De Trinitate 15,2,2) And these are two matters that are so beautiful and close to my heart; a full life with abundant love. My friend, when we are seeking the truthy, happiness, beauty and love, we will – perhaps without realising this – be searching for God, because as I myself prayed to the merciful God: “you made us for yourself O God, and our heart will not find solace until it rests in You.” (Confessions 1,1,1) And my friend,  not only my heart but our hearts, yours and mine, because without you all others I cannot live and I cannot be saved.  And this is why friendship is so important for me and has not only a human value, but also a spiritual value and a project close to my heart. In friendship and in a community together, and by our respective means, we continue to discover what is so beautiful, and God’s surprises, in our personal lives and in our life as a community.

Friendship and love are words that are close to one another. And this word ‘love’ I have repeated so often because it is a central theme for me. I found love during my journey in the most intimate moments of my life. Because “one should not worry on anything in life except to choose what one is going to love.” (Sermon 96,1,1) Therefore “love and do what you like.” (Sermon on St. John’s First Letter, VII,8) And one’s personal development is gauged by one’s degree of how much we love and are loved. This is because love is the most powerful bond that binds human beings together and reciprocal love is the sure way leading to God.

I encourage you; continue searching. Continue to discover that which God desires of you. Continue to value love; life; the truth; wisdom; what is beautiful; liberty; happiness … Continue this lovely journey of conversion in a spirit of friendship. Continue to grow in the community. Continue to stand firm against the various separations and rifts that arise. Continue to make your contribution towards justice; peace and solidarity. Continue praying because your prayers constitute your conversion with God. Continue to let your interior silence prevail in your life. Continue to discern your call so that you will grow together with the Church by participating in its mission of service to the Kingdom. Continue placing Jesus Christ, the Mediator; the Truth; the Life; the Doctor; the Interior Guide; the Road at the centre of your life. God is He who leads and guides. Don’t look back; love the one who leads you (cf. Commentary on the Psalms 75,16) Keep looking forward.

I wish you a lot of beautiful things. When you wish that we meet again to continue this journey with the above-mentioned thoughts in mind, do not keep back but do contact me by reading my writings or through my brothers, the Augustinians.

Your friend,

Augustine of Hippo

Fr. David Cortis osa
Fr. Terence Spiteri osa

The Maltese Augustinian Province is these days, thanking  the Lord on the occasion of the 50th Anninversary from the inauguration and the blessing of the Church dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Tarxien which took place on the 18th April 1970. It is with regret that we are celebrating so many years of service and liturgical celebrations in such circumstances when all activity in the church, as in all other Churches, is suspended due to the present worldwide pandemic. In this spirit we eagerly hope to resume with the daily celebtrations and activity at the earliest possible. In the meantime, this is an occasion to commemorate so many Augustinian religious and lay people who served and celebrated their faith in this Church building.  

In the early years of the 20th century, on the site of the Church and Augustinian Friary, the hard-working priest Dun Gwann Mamo started a new pastoral project by building a small Chapel and an area which served as a trade school for young men. A few days before he died, Dun Ġwann expressed his wish to pass on the institute to the Augustinian friars.  In the years following the second world war the friars settled in the place serving in a small chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, a friary and another building to serve as a school. 

They also opened an oratory for the purpose of gathering the young people of the whereabouts and offering them a holistic formation. The building, which originally hosted Saint Augustine College, later served as a youth hostel, until in 1983 the Augustinians decided to offer it to the Ursuline Sisters of Saint Angela Merici to be used as a Children’s Home.

In the meantime, in the sixties, a need was felt for a bigger church and on the 23rd April 1967 the foundation stone of the new building was laid by the then Prior Provincial, Fr Ugolin Gatt O.S.A.. The new Church was inaugurated and blessed on the 18th April 1970 by the Assistant General of the Augustinian Order Fr Rikkardo Quacquarelli O.S.A..

It was  consecrated by Archbishop  Mons. Michael Gonzi on the 10th May 1975. The Church was later rinovated in 2005 on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of saint Nicholas of Tolentino. Over the years, many Augustinian friars served in Tarxien and are still working in collaboration  with a community of committed lay people in various pastoral initiatives not only in the Church itself, but also in the hall, the Oratory and the Cathecism Centre.