Il-messaġġ tal-Arċisqof Charles Jude Scicluna
Before we pray, I would like to share a few comments, inspired, also, by what you have told us. This is a symphony of skills, entrepreneurship, but also vision, and this is also a hymn to one of the blessings in our national anthem, this prayer that gives us identity. Dun Karm, in 1922, asked for this blessing from the Lord: ‘saħħa’ – ‘health’.
This year, when we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Independence, 50 years of the Republic, is an important year in our history to inaugurate this extension, this new phase of this project. The blessing of the Lord, we know, pervades every human being of good will, every space that sings for health and well-being. But this blessing – health – is also a blessing of spiritual wellness, and it is possible because people come together to offer care. They also offer expertise, the wonders of science, but also the skill to create beauty, and provide warmth. This is a word which I like very much, ‘warmth’, the warmth of human welcome, the warmth of human care, which is probably an important aspect of any therapy, any theraputic experience. Being treated with dignity, with care, has an effect on the human spirit, that we are not able to fathom, we are not able to explain. This is also what you are about. You talked about setting standards, so my prayer today is that the standard you set is followed in other places, by other people, for the good of our nation, for the good of the Mediterranean basin, because this I hope and pray, would attract people, who need specific care, quality care, to come to the islands that have these vocations in the name of Malta, a haven, and a land of sweet honey.
Being treated with dignity, with care, has an effect on the human spirit, that we are not able to fathom, we are not able to explain.
Let’s pray that we also heal division, which is the contrary of being a haven, and also clear away whatever is sour or rancourous, because the name of the island is also a vocation. May this also be a haven of health, and well-being. May people also feel the blessing of the promised land, where milk and honey flow.
✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
Arċisqof ta’ Malta