Stella Maris Retreat House has, for the last 40 years, provided a serene space where visitors and pilgrims could spend time of reflection and prayers. Originally built by the Missionary Society of St Paul, the house initially served as a noviciate where new members joining the society were prepared before actually fully joining the society. This use lasted for several years. Afterwards the house started hosting groups and individuals for retreats. The place is also sought after by bishops and other ecclesiastics to spend periods of reflection in its peaceful surroundings.
The site of the house was first earmarked by M.S.S.P. Superior General, Fr. Stanley Tomlin who together with Mr. Peter Darmanin, first concluded the acquisition of several parcels of land on which the house was built and then worked closely with Architect Joseph Dimech who made the plans of the house. Built by master mason Mr. Victor Vella, Stella Maris was blessed by H.E. Mgr. Nicholas Cauchi, Bishop of Gozo in 30th June 1974. The altar, made of alabaster quarried in Żebbuġ was executed in 2004 by Ronald Pisani (1951- 2023) and blessed by H.E. Mgr. Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo.
The locals immediately welcomed the Society of St. Paul which, apart from its mission inspired from its founder Mgr. Giuseppe De Piro became involved in the ministry of the local community. During the 1980s the novices and brothers residing in Stella Maris House taught catechism to the local children on a daily basis, usually before school started. The pedagogical approach of these classes, held in the parish centre, were very welcomed by the community. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s Żebbuġ was a largely isolated, rural village with a strong Catholic identity that was slowly
assimilating the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
Therefore, the presence of the Society in Żebbuġ coincided with these reforms and its mission was pivotal in the Catholic formation of the community. This ministry also included the celebration of Holy Mass in both Stella Maris house chapel and the Parish Church of the Assumption, a role that is still on to this day. The presence of the M.S.S.P. in Żebbuġ was so marking that it inspired several young men from village to join the society. Both Fr. Frankie Cini and Fr. Louis Mallia served as provincials to the M.S.S.P. while H.E. The Most Reverend Giovanni Cefai was the first elected bishop hailing from Żebbuġ and the first member of the society to be given the episcopal orders. Cefai heads the territorial prelature of Santiago Apóstol
de Huancané in Peru.
Dar Stella Maris houses a refectory, a chapel and a vestry, a conference hall, several office and guest rooms with ensuite and a large garden. The good design of the houses compliments the nearby primary school designed by Joseph Huntingford. Similary built in the modernist style, Stella Maris manages to merge the use of traditional materials such as the local stone and wood with the more experimental concrete. The façade is a symmetrical structure adorned with modernistic rusticated walls that welcomes you with a set of three arches that are reached through a flight of stairs. The house enjoys breathtaking views of Xwejni, Qbajjar, Marsalforn, Wied l-Infern, Dabrani and Kuljat Hill, while on the right it has commanding views of the Citadel and Victoria and further away the Gozo Channel and Malta.
Stella Maris treasures several works of art by Paul Camilleri Cauchi, Sandrina England, Mario Cassar and MaryRose Saliba. The current director of the house is Fr. Martin Cilia M.S.S.P. The house can be contacted on (+356) 21551159 email [email protected]
Research: Mario Cassar
Copyright: Soċjeta’ Banda Santa Marija and Żebbuġ Gozo Local Council
Photo credits: Mario Cassar, Fr. Martin Cilia, Peter Darmanin. The
Times of Malta
