HISTORY
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Deep in the heart of Malta’s touristic hub, St.Julians, lies the Santa Rita Priory and Chapel, dedicated to the this great Catholic and Augustinian saint from Cascia in Italy, famously known as “the saint of the impossible”. Here are the salient historical milestones of this beautiful edifice, originally erected in 1928:-
1927 - The first stone was laid.
1928 - The first Mass
was celebrated in the Chapel, and the Priory was inaugurated and blessed.
1930 - The first "First Holy Communion" for boys and girls who attended Christian Teaching in the Chapel was held.
1932 - The first Bishop's Confirmation was administered to 49 children from the neighbourhood.
1941 - Priory and Chapel received a direct hit from enemy bombing and were both heavily demolished. Only the
wall where the tabernacle stood was untouched.
1944 - Mass was celebrated to commemorate the reconstruction of both Priory and Chapel.
1947 – The locality’s State Primary school was temporarily transferred to the Santa Rita Priory.
1950 - On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the canonization of St. For some time this Priory was used as a Formation Home for Augustinian students.
1998 – The Chapel and Priory were refurbished.
2000 - 100 years since the canonization of St. Rita, the Maltese Archbishop consecrated an altar and the Chapel
dedicated to St. The Augustinian Community continues to provide pastoral and religious services to the people of these areas and to tourists residing in nearby hotels. RITA’S CHAPEL
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All those residing in the vicinity of the Chapel, and in the Swieqi area, will be delighted to learn that the Chapel will be re-opening on Sat. 24 Sept. 2022 with Mass at 7.00 p.m. As already advised, Fr. Alan Scerri o.s.a. is the Chapel’s Rector. Mass times are as follows:
MON. to FRI. - 8.30 a.m. SAT. - 6.30 p.m. (no Mass in the morning)
SUND. - 10.00 a.m.
