About us
The parish was established in 1921. It is dedicated to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and as part of its Catholic mission, it emphasises the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
The Presbytery:
Can. Edward Vella
Parish Administrator
Msgr. Michael Mintoff
Resident priest
Identity
This emblem was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Parish of Għasri, and serves as a reminder of the identity and Eucharistic mission of this parish dedicated to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (Corpus Christi).
The Eucharist: The Sun that never sets which is the Risen Christ.
Like the sun illuminates, strengthens, and gives life, so too does the Eucharist illuminate our lives, strengthening our hearts with love for God and for others, and guiding us through life as both humans and Christians. Beyond this, we are also reminded, as explained so well by Pope Francis, that "every celebration of the Eucharist is like a ray of the sun that never sets, which is Christ the Sun of life. When we take part in the Mass, especially on Sundays, we enter into the victory of the Risen One, we are illumined by His light, and we are warmed by His love year after year. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit takes part in the divine life that can transform all that is mortal within us" (Pope Francis, General Audience, November 22, 2017).
This style of design for the Sun was also chosen to remember the historic moment when the emblem was established. It was on April 2, 2022, the day when Pope Francis was in Gozo and passed through the plains of the Parish of Għasri. In fact, the design of the Sun/Eucharist can be compared to the emblem of the religious order from which the Pope hails, the Society of Jesus: the sun radiates and contains the letters IHS, the monogram of Christ. The letter H bears a cross on it. This emblem belongs to the Order of the Society of Jesus and is also part of the official emblem of Pope Francis.
Red: The sacrificial blood of Christ
In the Last Supper, Jesus tells us, "This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:28). Through the blood of Christ, poured out for the forgiveness of sins, we have obtained our salvation. In the Letter to the Ephesians, we read: "We were once dead in our transgressions, following the desires of the flesh, living among those under God's wrath by nature. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ – by grace you have been saved. He raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them" (Ephesians 2:1-10).
This salvation brought to us by Jesus through the shedding of his blood, a salvation found in the name and heart of this parish dedicated to Christ the Eucharistic Savior, is manifested in the pure blood that flows upon the three hills of this island. The remembrance of this salvation is also an integral part of the identity and mission of this parish.
Gozo's Emblem
Gozo's Emblem is a reference for the diocese and region they house, in which the parish is located. It also reflects the parish's identity and its Eucharistic mission. It bears in mind that the Parish of Għasri has the responsibility to foster and promote devotion to the Eucharist.
The Star and the Eight-Pointed Maltese Cross
This is a reference to the origins of the parish, which dates back to the time of the Knights (the eight-pointed cross). There was a community of Christians in the locality who had great devotion to the Madonna of the Patronage (the star). A sign of this devotion is that this small church was given the title of Minor Basilica.
The words ‘𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒆’ – ‘Come to Me’.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). This is a message that reminds the parishioners of Għasri, the local community, and the entire world, that Jesus is always ready to grant us His eternal peace, especially in the most challenging moments of life.
