M.U.S.E.U.M. Balzan
73, Three Churches Street
Balzan
Malta

Tel: (+356) 2149 9547

Email: balzan@sdcmuseum.org

Origins
The Balzan branch of the Society of Christian Doctrine owes its origins to a group of members from the Birkirkara branch who, probably late in 1923 decided to start the activities of the Society in Balzan. In those days Balzan was a small town, with a population probably not exceeding two thousand persons. Obviously it meant a daily walk across the short stretch of countryside which in those days separated the two communities. Soon afterwards suitable premises were found, very near the parish church where the activities of the Society could take place. And so the first members from Balzan could join the Society.

Disruption by war
The activities of the Society flourished. Catechism classes for children were started especially in preparation for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation as well as for older boys. All this was disrupted by the war. Although Balzan was considered a relatively safe area as there were no military establishments in the vicinity, this very fact attracted a large number of people fleeing their homes located in the harbour area, where aerial bombardments were a daily occurrence. The shortage of housing forced the authorities to requisition any property not being used for habitation. The Balzan branch of the Society had no place where to meet. Luckily a small disused chapel was available and for the duration of the war was used for teaching catechism and other activities.

New premises
At the end of hostilities, the Society managed to acquire new premises, which are still used for the Society’s activities in Balzan. These premises had to be enlarged and by the middle sixties a completely additional floor was built.

Activities
The main activity of the Society is catechism, for the young and old. The Balzan branch serves the parish of the Annunciation in Balzan as well as the newly created parish of the Holy Family at Iklin. In addition a considerable number of boys come from the parish of St Joseph the Worker in Birkirkara.

Catechism classes
Catechism classes are held daily for boys aged 5 to 16 (normal school age). The boys are divided into groups, generally according to age and each group has its own catechist, who is a member of the Society. Our groups are as follows:

Year 1: Boys who are five to six years old, who share their first experience of formal catechism with their catechist who is Matthew Gruppetta.

Year 2: Boys who are a year older. In May or June (on Trinity Sunday) the boys in this group receive their first communion in the parish. Their catechist is Reuben Tonna. 

Year 3: After their first communion, preparation for the sacrament of confirmation starts. Preparation for the sacrament of confirmation is spread over 3 years at the moment. The catechist for the first year of preparation for this sacrament is Mark Grupetta.

Year 4: At the age of nine, the children attending our centre continue in their second year of preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. The catechist for this group is Raymond Muscat.

Year 5: The third year of catechism focusing on the sacrament of confirmation is addressed to boys aged ten years. The catechist for our ten year olds is our oldest member, Carmel Parascandalo.

Preparatorja: At the beginning of these two years the boys in this group receive their Confirmation. Nonetheless, catechism is not exclusively attached to the receipt of sacraments, thus catechism groups are held regularly for adolescents and youths after they receive their confirmation.  This was in fact what was originally intended by our founder Blessed George Preca. The name given to these young boys ‘Preparatorja’ (the prepared ones) clearly shows their commitment, that is, that they are going to take seriously their Christian life and thus they are prepared to follow catechism and continue their Christian formation. During these two years the boys attending our centre would have started their secondary education, an important milestone in any child’s life. The catechists responsible for the preparatory years are Mario Zarb and Joseph Falzon respectively.

Maghzulin: At this age many of the boys begin to show signs of adolescence, and inevitably questions about their faith and religious practices start. The name chosen by Blessed George Preca for this group was of ‘Magħżulin’ (chosen ones) echoing Christ’s words that many are called, but few are chosen (Mt. 22, 14). A group, whom Blessed George Preca was particularly fond of and wanted them to live a Christian life and set an example for all to see. Historically, the group called Magħżulin included youths up to the age of 16, however this changed to accommodate the different ages in the group.  At our centre we have two groups, Magħżulin A and Magħżulin B. During their second year in this group the boys make a commitment to Christian life by means of a simple ceremony where they pledge to live the lives of young Christians. These groups are taken care by Noel Kenely and the centre superior Manuel Fenech.

Aspiranti:The oldest groups are called Aspiranti, which include adolescents between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.  The name ‘Aspiranti’ (those who aspire) was chosen to refer to a group of adolescents and youths who are at an age during which they start giving weight to their decisions related to their future vocation.  In our centre, the Aspiranti are divided into two groups, which include youths from the age of fourteen up to sixteen years.  Catechism for these youths is provided by Warren Vella and Samuel Farrugia.

Lay-Apostolate
“The call is a concern not only of Pastors, clergy, and men and women religious. The call is addressed to everyone: lay people as well are personally called by the Lord, from whom they receive a mission on behalf of the Church and the world.” (Apostolic Exhortation: Christifideles Laici, John Paul II, 1988)
           
More than eighty years prior to this statement by the late Pope John Paul II, Blessed George Preca had envisaged a Society of lay men who dedicate their life to the spreading of the good news.  The very essence of our vocation as lay members of the Church lies in the fact that during the day all the members of our Society are busy at their place of work.  However, being present at the workplace has never interfered with living the Gospel, Fr. George Preca firmly believed that catechism can be extended to the place of work by the presence of the Society’s members.

Activities: the liturgy
Proper catechesis has to lead to active participation in the liturgy of the Church. On Sundays we participate in the 8.30 a.m. mass as a group. We invite the boys as well as their parents to join us in this most important activity where the unity of the group is sustained by means of participation in the Eucharist.
           
We encourage the boys to hear mass, whenever possible, in weekdays as well.
We also participate as a group in the main liturgical functions of the Church especially those during Holy Week and Easter, Christmas and other feasts of the Church.

Activities: Adult catechesis
Adult catechesis is carried out in a number of different ways. Of great importance are regular meetings for parents of the boys who come to our centre. As the primary catechists of their children, parents have a right and duty to be involved in the catechesis of their children.
           
Once a year, generally in May, we organise a week of catechesis for adults. Each year a specific topic is selected and discussed in detail in the light of the teaching of the Church.

Activities: Socialising
Why hold social functions? Obviously because we are human and we need to socialise. In addition the Church is first and foremost a community of believers. And therefore catechesis is meaningless unless the catechetical group forms a coherent community of faith. But no community of any kind can form unless it responds to the psychological needs of its members.

The children and young persons who come to our centre have a need to form part of a group of boys of their own age. Hence the importance of social activities. We organise quite a number of these activities throughout the year, ranging from a sports week in September, football tournaments, trips to the seaside, a trip to Gozo and other activities, which can help us in our aim to form a community of young believers.

Facilities:
Each of our groups has a room for their catechism (some have to share as our premises are too small for the number of children).  In addition we have a yard for play activities and a games room where the boys play table tennis, billiards and so on. We also have a rather large Chapel which is used for prayer meetings, ceremonies and various other related functions.

Contact
We are very pleased to help in any way especially if you have school-age boys who would like to join our groups. If you live at Balzan, Iklin or in the vicinity and would like your boy to form part of our groups please come along. You may also wish to inquire further information by calling us on the contacts listed below, however we feel it would be better for anyone who is interested, to come to our centre and meet us. Meeting parents is always appreciated.