Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, San Ġwann

About

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church (Maltese: Knisja Parrokkjali Madonna ta' Lourdes) is a Roman Catholic parish church in San Ġwann, Malta. Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, it falls within the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta and is administered by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. (OFM Cap.) Following the 71st Ordinary Elective Provincial Chapter held from 28 April to 2 May 2025, the parish is currently served by a new community of friars:

Fr Bertrand Vella OFM Cap. (Parish Priest and Guardian); Fr Valentine Calleja OFM Cap. Fr John Vella OFM Cap. Br Jesmond Ciantar OFM Cap. Fr Leonard Falzon OFM Cap. Fr Elmar Pace OFM Cap. Fr Joe Buttigieg OFM Cap. Fr Publius Mair OFM Cap. (yet residing in 'Dar tal-Kleru' Birkirkara)

Daily updates, announcements, and events are regularly posted on the parish’s official social media platforms:

Daily updates, announcements, and events are regularly posted on the parish’s official social media platforms:

- 21 February 1947 – Arrival of the first Capuchin friars in Tal-Għorgħar

- 25 January 1950 – Laying of the first stone of the Convent

- 16 December 1953 – Inauguration of St Anne Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus

- 13 September 1953 – Laying of the first stone of the Church by Bishop Mons. Emmanuel Galea

- 20 December 1959 – Opening of the new Church to the public and blessing of the titular painting

- 10 April 1960 – First procession of Our Lady of Sorrows

- 17 June 1960 – Arrival of the titular statue of Our Lady of Lourdes from Bolzano, Italy

- 12 May 1962 – Consecration of the Church and High Altar by Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi

- 21 September 1965 – Establishment of the Parish dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Imsieraħ

- 20 May 1966 – First Titular Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated

- 26 September 1988 – Blessing and laying of the first stone of the St Joseph Parish Centre

- 30 December 1990 – Inauguration of the Parish Centre as a monument for the 25th anniversary of the Parish

- 30 July 2006 – Consecration of the new marble Altar and Ambo by Archbishop Mons. Ġużeppi Mercieca

- First Sunday of August – Current celebration of the Titular Feast in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes

When the areas between Birkirkara and Sliema started to develop after the Second World War, the Archbishop of that time, Mons. Michael Gonzi, asked the Capuchin Friars to take care of the spiritual life of the people. The Capuchin Friars took responsibility for the Imsieraħ locality on February 21, 1947. The first friars were Fr Feliċ Scicluna, Fr Joseph Mary Spiteri, and Fr Teophilus Ebejer, who took temporary residence at 152, Triq San Ġiljan, near the Chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar.

For many people who did not know things from the inside, the arrival of the Capuchins was too little of a surprise. This is because it was the Carmelite friars who used to give some service (such as masses) in the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar. Among these was Fr Elija Caruana O.Carm. Fr Elija used to come from the convent of the Carmelites of Balluta. For the local people, whether Carmelites or Capuchins, the most important thing was that they could now be better served. The need to have at least two priests for the service of the people had been felt for a long time, especially considering the distance between this locality and the parishes of which it was a part. Therefore, they welcomed the Capuchin friars with open arms, and the friars did not fail to reciprocate. From the very beginning, the three priests did their best to ensure that the people were served spiritually, as they should. Although the population was not large, the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar was too small. In fact, we can say that for mass, there were more people outside the chapel than inside. Here, the need to do something for the comfort of the people began to be felt. This is because the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar has become the centre of every religious activity in the neighbourhood. Some feasts have started to be organised, such as Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter.