Holy Cross Friary - Floriana
According to the rules of the Capuchin Order, friaries and Churches had to be built as distant as possible from populated areas, in order to maintain the hermitage spirit preferred by the Friars. For this reason, after proposing to the bishop to invite the Capuchin Order to open a friary in Malta, Grand Master de Verdalle donated the area as it satisfied this requirement. The first Capuchins set foot in Malta on February 10th, 1588.
Both Church and friary were designed by the Maltese engineer, Girolamo Cassar. The Church, dedicated to the Holy Cross, is decorated with wooden altars, typical of Capuchin Churches. The two statues on the façade of the Church are those of St Paul and St Publius. The Floriana Friary today serves as a home to a number of older friars with the presence of some younger ones.
Within this friary, one can find the Provincial Curia, the Mission Secretariat Office, the Provincial Museum, and the Provincial Library, which houses books dating back to the 1500s. Additionally, it includes the Capuchin Crypt, where the remains of Fra Guzepp – renowned for his saintly life – are interred, as well as the Provincial Archives, the Office for Kliem il-Ħajja, a small Biblical Library, and the Ċentru Franġiskan (Franciscan Centre), which regularly hosts various groups.
Adjacent to the Friary is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. This peaceful space offers an opportunity for visitors to pray in silence, finding solace and reflection. The chapel also hosts the celebration of the Eucharist, as well as intimate weddings and other small liturgical gatherings, made possible by its modest size.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
Bishop F.X. Fenech Street
Floriana
FRN 1211
Tel: 21234949; 21225525
St Liberata Friary - Kalkara
After having a dream, Giuseppe Valerio Abela donated a plot of land in Kalkara to the Capuchin Friars so that they could build a friary and a Church. Construction started on June 18th, 1736. The first stone was blessed by Archbishop Mons. Paul Alphérande Bussan. The Capuchin friar Fra Giuseppe was responsible for the design of the buildings whilst the work was financed by the donations of the people, including donations from Grand Master Antonio Manuel de Vilhena. The inauguration and blessing of the friary and Church took place on August 2nd, 1743. The Church is dedicated to Saint Barbara and was consecrated on June 18th, 1747.
In these last years, the friary in Kalkara served as a formation house to various phases of formation and is also the place which welcomes a number of people who participate in the Akkoljenza (hospitality) experience. Additionally, the friary hosts the OFS (Order of Franciscan Seculars), a lectio divina group, and a group of youths, fostering a strong sense of community. It also serves as a vocational centre, providing guidance and support for those discerning their paths in life. Furthermore, the friary houses a catechism centre, offering religious education and formation to young members of the community.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
St. Liberata street,
Kalkara
KKR 1618
Tel: 21825724
Our Lady of Grace Friary – Victoria, Gozo
The Friary in Gozo was founded in 1737. Both the Bishop of the time as well as Grandmaster Vilhena sent separate letters to the Capuchin Order with a request to establish a new friary in Gozo. The Bishop of Gozo approved the building of the new friary next to a chapel dedicated to our Lady of Grace. The area was known as ‘Forn il-Ġir’. Before moving to the actual friary, the first three friars lived with Doctor Giovanni Gauci. The building of both the friary and the Church were completed in 1749. To this day, the tradition continues that when a new bishop is appointed to the Diocese of Gozo, he will begin his solemn induction from this friary.
This friary is also renowned as the home of the Servant of God, Br. Paschal Farrugia (Fra Baskal, 1869–1937), who is fondly remembered for his saintly life and exemplary virtues. Having embraced the Capuchin life at the age of 21, he demonstrated unwavering commitment to God and his community. While his service within the friary was noteworthy, it was his tireless mendicant work—humbly wandering the streets and begging for alms—that truly distinguished him. Through this labour of love, he connected deeply with the people of Gozo, earning their trust and inspiring their spiritual growth.
The Friary in Gozo continues to cherish Br. Paschal’s memory as an integral part of its presence. His cell has been transformed into a commemorative space, filled with images and mementos honouring his life and virtues. Pilgrims visit the friary to venerate his remains and seek spiritual intercession, attesting to his enduring impact on the faithful. As the process for his beatification unfolds, Fr. Paschal remains an inspiring figure of Franciscan humility and holiness, drawing individuals to the spiritual richness of the friary.
Today, the friary in Gozo serves as a centre of spiritual growth and community engagement, accommodating a variety of active groups. These include the Legion of Mary (male and female branches), the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), the Padre Pio Prayer Group, the Fra Baskal Prayer Group, the Altar Servers, as well as the Parents of Altar Servers.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
Capuchin Street
Victoria
VCT 9088
Gozo
Tel: 21556608
Holy Trinity Friary - Marsa
The foundation stone of the Church was laid on Sunday, October 20th, 1909. The building of the Church was financed entirely by benefactors Lorenzo Balbi and his wife Carmela née Ozzini, a wealthy childless couple from Valletta. The Church was built on designs by Giovanni Domenico Debono with the master builder, Michele Mifsud.
The construction of the Church took two years and nine months to be completed. On April 19th, 1913, the Church was officially opened and declared a parish. The Church was blessed by the General Vicar of the Diocese of Malta, Monsignor Luigi Attard, and the deputy of the Archbishop of Malta, Pietro Pace.
The construction of the Church took two years and nine months to be completed. On April 19th, 1913, the Church was officially opened and declared a parish. The Church was blessed by the General Vicar of the Diocese of Malta, Monsignor Luigi Attard, and the deputy of the Archbishop of Malta, Pietro Pace.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
Balbi Street
Marsa
MRS1815
Tel: 21246516
Our Lady of Lourdes Friary - San Ġwann
With the development of the areas between Birkirkara and Sliema, following the Second World War, Mons. Michael Gonzi, Archbishop of the time, asked the Capuchin Friars to take care of the spiritual life of the people. The Capuchins took responsibility for the Imsieraħ locality on February 21st, 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 – close to the Chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għargħar. Archbishop Gonzi blessed the new friary, in the presence of the Provincial along with a number of friars, the benefactor Ġuzeppi Borġ and his son Feliċ, as well as some of the Canons of the Collegiate Basilica of Sant’ Elena of Birkirkara. Present also were a good number of residents from the area. On September 16th, 1950, Father Anton Dimech, Provincial of the Capuchins, led a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from the Chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar to the provisional convent.
As the number of residents in the locality increased, there was a growing demand for the area to be established as a parish. Church authorities responded in the affirmative to such a request. On September 12th, 1965, Mons. Gonzi announced in a pastoral letter that the locality, then known as Imsieraħ (later, San Ġwann), would be designated as a new parish under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes. The official inauguration of the parish took place on September 21st, 1965, with Friar Leopold Tabone OFMCap appointed as the first parish priest.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
Lourdes Square
San Ġwann
SGN 2010
Tel: 21386112; 21386113
St Anthony Frairy – Għajn Dwieli, Paola
The most recent Capuchin friary and Church to be constructed is located in Paola. In 1953, the friars established a small chapel on Għajn Dwieli Road. However, as the population in the area grew, it became evident that a larger space of worship was required. Consequently, a more spacious church, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, was completed and inaugurated for worship in 1965.
The friary and church serve as a sacred space for the daily celebration of the Eucharist while also functioning as a place of engagement for spiritual and community growth. The friary welcomes a multitude of faithful and host various groups, including the Charismatic renewal group, the Order of Franciscan Seculars (OFS), altar servers, former altar servers, lectors, animators, and the choir group, who regularly convene to participate in its spiritual and communal activities.
Franciscan Capuchin Friary
St. Anthony Square
Għajn Dwieli
Paola
PLA 1970
Tel: 21828157
St. Joseph the Worker Church - Xemxija
The origins of the Franciscan Capuchin presence in Xemxija can be traced back to around 1936, when the first fraternity was established. Initially, the site was intended as a summer residence for the friars. During the Second World War (1940–1944), the premises were requisitioned by the British military authorities for defence purposes. Despite this, Mass continued to be celebrated on weekends and feast days.
Following the war, the property was returned to the Province. As the population and number of residences in the area grew, the need for a larger place of worship became apparent. On December 6, 1959, the foundation stone for a new church was laid. This church was blessed and opened for the worship of God on July 23, 1966. However, over time, the church again proved insufficient to accommodate the congregation, and structural issues with the foundation prompted the decision to demolish and rebuild it.
The foundation stone for the present church was laid on February 21, 1993. The new church was inaugurated on June 25, 1994, and subsequently consecrated by Archbishop Monsignor Joseph Mercieca on February 20, 2000. Today, the church remains an active site of worship, with friars celebrating Mass on weekends and feast days. The church operates within the bounds of the parish of St. Paul’s Bay. The friary was demolished due to foundation instability, and as a result, no fraternity currently resides on the premises.
St. Joseph the Worker
Xemxija Heights
Xemxija
SPB 9021