Fr Ivan Scicluna received his primary and secondary education at Stella Maris College, Gżira, Malta (1981 – 1993). He then attended the Ġ. F. Abela Sixth Form (1993 – 1995). He then pursued a Bachelor of Arts in French and Maltese at the University of Malta (1995-1998). In 1998, he joined the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor and pursued his Capuchin formation until he professed his solemn vows on November 1st, 2005. His scholastic journey continued with studies in philosophy and theology at the Institute of Philosophy and Human Studies, as well as at the Faculty of Theology, at the University of Malta (2000-2005).
He was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca on November 5th 2006. Following his ordination to the diaconate, he pursued advanced studies in Spiritual Theology and Psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2006 – 2008). He simultaneously pursued some courses in Franciscan spirituality at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. He was ordained priest by Archbishop Paul Cremona on July 1st, 2007. On his return from his studies in Rome in 2008, he was entrusted with the role of accompanying the young religious in their Capuchin formation (2008 – 2016). He was director of post-novices (2008 – 2009; 2010 – 2016), vice-novice master in Oxford (2009 – 2010) and vocations director (2010 – 2016). He was also Provincial Councilor for 6 years (2010 – 2016).
He has always exhibited a particular interest in Franciscan Spirituality, especially the prayers of Saint Franci of Assisi. He is the author of several articles on Franciscan themes in the monthly Capuchin magazine ‘Dawl Franġiskan’, and has taught courses with a Franciscan blend at the Capuchin Centre at Kalkara and at the Pastoral Formation Institute. He also lectured an optional credit in Spiritual Theology at the Faculty of Theology, at the University of Malta, in 2016.
Between 2016 and 2022, he participated in the ‘Saint Lawrence of Brindisi Project’, a project of the Capuchin Order with the aim to establish international fraternities in Europe (and beyond), wherein the friars take as their main task that of enkindling the flame of the Capuchin charism, by living out in a rather intense way the core values of the Capuchin way of life, namely, prayer, fraternity, minority and mission. Between 2016 and 2019, Fr Ivan formed part of the Saint Laurence of Brindisi Fraternity in Spello, Italy, while between 2019 and 2022, he was a member of another Saint Laurence of Brindisi Fraternity, namely that established in Cortona, Italy.
In the Provincial Chapter of May 2022, he was elected Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Province in Malta. Since then, he is responsible for the life and mission of the 55 Maltese Capuchins residing in 6 friaries (5 in Malta and 1 in Gozo). He is also a member of the Council of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors in Malta (KSMR), president of the Conference of the Franciscan Family in Malta (KFF) and vice-president of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Capuchin Major Superiors (CEMCAP).