Theology Library Rabat

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Theology Library Rabat The Theology Library is supported by the Archbishop's Seminary and the Foundation for Theological Studies. Benjamin Tonna.

The origins of the Seminary Library date back to October 1756. The financial foundations and the first bequests bear the name of the Bishop of Malta, Paul Alpheran de Bussan. In its first years, the Library was very limited in its resources. Eventually, it started to expand thanks to the personal collections of books bequeathed by priests, a generous tradition which has continued to this day. Its earliest benefactors included the patriot Dun Mikiel Xerri (1737-1799), and in recent years, Mgr Joseph Sapiano, Mgr Joseph Lupi and Can. The Library today possesses well over 35000 books, besides a vast collection of over 350 periodicals. As expected, the Library is mainly a philosophical and theological one; yet, sections in psychology, sociology, politics and history are also present. A rich Melitensia section forms part of the Library. The Library’s long history includes its earliest phase when the Seminary was in Mdina, followed by the years at Floriana (when the small library of the Casa di Manresa retreat house was eventually absorbed by the Seminary collection after World War II), and its current phase at Tal-Virtù. When Archbishop Mercieca transferred the Major Seminary to its current location in 1978, a phase of rapid expansion was inaugurated, especially on account of a separate and spacious wing which had already been used as a library by the Mater Admirabilis Training College (1954-1973).
1978 was an eventful year in other respects, too, because the Faculty of Theology which had been ousted from the University of Malta commenced its ten-year stay at Tal-Virtù as an autonomous institution. This meant a new phase in the history of the Seminary Library, namely the housing of two libraries under one roof and one joint administration. The books purchased by the Faculty of Theology until 1988 remained at Tal-Virtù after the Faculty’s re-incorporation in the University of Malta in 1988. The Foundation for Theological Studies, established in September 1988 proceeded with the Faculty’s former commitments to the Library. Since then, the Seminary/Foundation Library, as it is now called, continued to expand its services. In 1997, a spacious extension was constructed to house the vast periodical holdings. This was inaugurated in February 1999 by Archbishop Mercieca. A specialised section on the Maltese Clergy was also also launched on the same occasion. When the Catholic Institute Library at Floriana closed down in the mid-1990s, the authorities decided to transfer that 5000-strong collection to the Seminary/Foundation Library. This herculean task was accomplished in February 2005. A Library Committee coordinates the functioning of the Library and assists the Library staff. The Library caters primarily for the seminarians in their academic preparation for the priesthood. The Library is also open to University students, the clergy and other bona fide borrowers.

31/10/2026

The Theology Library will be closed all day on
Monday November 2nd
We wish you all a Blessed All Saints and All Souls Day

31/10/2026
29/10/2026
Our Autumn LOGOS event this past Tuesday October 27th, was an opportunity to understand the role of journalism during th...
29/10/2026

Our Autumn LOGOS event this past Tuesday October 27th, was an opportunity to understand the role of journalism during these very tumultuous times.

We had the pleasure of having Fr. Joe Borg, who is a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Malta from the Department of Media and Communication, and Mr. Herman Grech who is the editor and chief of the Times of Malta, with us for a very introspective discussion.

Along with the evening’s moderator Mr. Bradley Cauchi, our guests tackled the discussion, HOW CAN THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM TODAY HELP US GET TO THE TRUTH AND INSTILL HOPE?

The conversation left the audience moved as we heard about the obstacles being faced each day in the newsroom as well as out in the field. We heard how ethical truths and principles are at the heart of our journalists, yet they often face challenges that keep them awake at night. Journalists report their stories with people in mind and know the importance of retaining the humanity of the story as well as accountability of the facts. They spoke of the importance of educating the next generations in this time of Social Media pressures, AI and fake news and how important it is to deliver their story truthfully even though they are often faced with harsh criticism and pressures.

Though many perspectives of this profession were on the table, the discussion ended with a hopeful look to the future where journalists will continue to inform, inspire and challenge communities and their leaders to take responsibility for actions. As Bill Moyers (political commentator and journalist) had said, “The quality of democracy and the quality of journalism are deeply entwined”🌷✨

Il-ġurnaliżmu llum qed jgħaddi minn żmien diffiċli, mhux biss f’Malta iżda wkoll madwar id-dinja: problemi finanzjarji, ...
26/10/2026

Il-ġurnaliżmu llum qed jgħaddi minn żmien diffiċli, mhux biss f’Malta iżda wkoll madwar id-dinja: problemi finanzjarji, l-impatt tal-Intelliġenza Artifiċjali u tal-midja soċjali, xkiel minn diversi gvernijiet u istituzzjonijiet, u xi drabi anke attakki fuq il-ġurnalisti nfushom. Iżda minkejja dan, hemm ġurnalisti li jkomplu jfittxu l-verità b’kuraġġ u b'rispett lejn id-dinjità ta' kull persuna, u huma dawn li jagħtuna t-tama.

F'din il-laqgħa se naraw flimkien kif jista' jkollna ġurnaliżmu onest u responsabbli li jgħinna nifhmu x'qed jiġri madwarna, fi żmien ta' aħbarijiet foloz u ta' firda bejn in-nies, u kif aħna, bħala nies li naqraw u nisimgħu l-aħbarijiet, nistgħu nagħtu sehemna. Għax il-mistoqsija hija għal kull wieħed u waħda minna: X'nistgħu nagħmlu aħna biex il-ġurnaliżmu onest jirnexxi?
Kull leħen huwa importanti f'din id-diskussjoni. Nittamaw li narawkom hemm intom u sħabkom.
Tistgħu tirreġistraw billi tibagħtu email jew permezz tal-link hawn taħt:
https://forms.gle/FY2GVjd7EztQXNry9

22/10/2026

TAĦDITA PUBBLIKA
Minn Rev. Prof. Martin Micallef ⬇️

The Theology Library remembers and celebrate St. Teresa of Avila, on her Feast Day October 15th !
15/10/2026

The Theology Library remembers and celebrate St. Teresa of Avila, on her Feast Day October 15th !

Address

Theology Library, 90, Triq Tal-Virtù, Tal-Virtù
Rabat
RBT2604

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday 08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:30 - 12:00

Telephone

+35621455497

Website

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