Province of St. Mark

Augustinian Presence in Paceville

The Augustinian presence in Paceville goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when lawyer Giuseppe Pace, who erected the city of Paceville, built a small church, next to a house, in Spinola, limits of St. Julians. He decided to pass this land against payment to the Augustinian Province so that they could serve the spiritual needs to those who were going to live in this new city. After accepting this land, Provincial Fr. Lawrenz obtained the necessary permits from the church authorities, according to canon law and the authorisation from the Curia Generalizia of the Order in Rome. On 12th July 1936, the Provincial blessed the church, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel, together with the house next to the church.

Although the church during the following thirty years served well the spiritual needs of the people in Spinola, which grew and changed into a magnificent village, named Paceville, it was time to start building a bigger and a magnificent church. For this reason, the Provincial Fr. Ugolin Gatt OSA employed Arthur Zammit to prepare plans for a modern church and a priory, containing all the modern needs. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 18th June 1967 and was blessed by the Archbishop of Malta Mons. Michael Gonzi. The new priory was inaugurated and blessed by Provincial Fr. Albert Borg OSA on Sunday 30th April 1972, on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel, which was being celebrated in the same church in Paceville. The blessing, inauguration and the opening of the new church took place on 18th August of the following year by Assistant General Fr. Egidju Galea OSA. The consecration of the church took place on 4th May 1974, on the feast of St. Monica, by Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi.

The Augustinians had been for a long time feeling the need of expanding this apostolate to reach thousands of youths and tourists, who visit Paceville. In 1998, the community increased its efforts and the project was started. The Millennium Chapel, built by the donations given by the people, was opened in 2000 and today, is run by the Augustinian friars, together with a large number of laity. This place serves as a centre for the residents in Paceville, where they could spend their time not only by providing a service to the chapel but also by organising various formative, social and recreational activities. In this place, the friars welcome courses and meetings run by specific groups like the Harm Reduction Union, drugs unit and of the Alcoholic Anonymous and meetings of religious groups like Charismatics, Magnificat Chapter and others. Other services, like those of Caritas and Sedqa are also offered at the end of the week to those who seek help from the friars.

On 28th August 2004, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, together with Provincial Fr. Lucjan Borg OSA, officially opened the WOW centre, which is a social arm of the Millennium Chapel. This place serves as a centre for communication and thus, one can find an auditorium, which holds 120 people, meeting rooms, counselling rooms, leisure facilities, multi-media facilities and refreshment amenities. It also brings together all those who visit the chapel and provides advice and material support to those who are poor. This is how the Millennium Chapel wants to integrate spiritual and material needs, and to address and care for the entire human being, while it reaches all those who are searching for God.. In August 2006, the LIFT (Living In Friendship Together), a youth organisation which provides an opportunity for real friendship to every teenager, was established.

Apart serving the spiritual, humanitarian and social needs of the young, residents and tourists who visit the place, the community of Paceville co-ordinates the work, in aid of the Augustinian missions. At present, every year, a group of youths are prepared and led by the religious who form part of this community, to undergo a missionary experience in Brazil.