Pastoral Work

Buskett Chapel

The Buskett Chapel, dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot, was built by the Grandmasters Cottoner, who were brothers. Since the chapel is situated nearthe Verdala Palace, it was always considered as part of the President's resident. Thus, the chapel was not always under the hands of the Augustinian Friars. It was in 1944, when Mons. Anthony Buhagiar, asked the Augustinian Friars to spiritually start taking care of this beautiful zone, while talking care also of the people, who live near the chapel, which is situated in the limits of Rabat. Therefore, the Augustinian Friars now has been taking care this chapel for more than 60 years. The friars who ran the chapel after 1944 were:
1) Rev. Fr. Possidju Saliba OSA (1944 – 1956)
2) Rev. Fr. Rafel Azzopardi OSA (1956 – 1983)
3) Rev. Fr. Kristjanu Cini OSA (1983 – 1990)
4) Rev. Fr. Federik Gibson OSA (1990 – 1994)
5) Rev. Fr. Pawl Muscat OSA (1994 – 1998)
6) Rev. Fr. Guzi Mifsud OSA (1998 – today)

On every Sunday, as well as on public holidays, in summer and in winter, the Buskett Chapel opens its doors for the 8am mass. The Chapel of St. Anthony the Abbot is also opened for its two feasts, celebrated by it – St. Anthony the Abbot on 17th January as well as on the feast of St. Rita, celebrated close to 22th May. In the feasts of Our Lady of Sorrows and that of St. Rita, processions are also held in the beautiful gardens of the Verdala Palace. The pilgrims, throughout the years, as well as on feast days, never stop from coming. Although the size of the chapel is small, it is not the first time when part of the retreat is held in the chapel, so that they will pass the time, reflecting spiritually in this silence.

One the beautiful things, found in the chapel, is the alter piece of the renowned painter Mattia Preti. The painting is dedicated to Our Lady of Patience. Moreover, St. John the Baptism and St. Anthony the Abbot are both painted near Our Lady. The reason why these two saints were painted is that while St. John the Baptist was the protrector of the Knights, St. Anthony the Abbot was the protector of the animals, and thus it was the ideal place because the chapel is situated in the Buskett gardens. In the Buskett Chapel, one could find some beautiful paintings, about the death of St. John the Baptist, which are of the same school of Preti. Amongst these, there are two beautiful paintings of the two saints, who are St. Nicholas of Bari and St. Raphel, the Angel, both of whom are named after the two Grandmasters brothers - Nicholas and Rafel Cottoner.