istitutkattoliku

Storja

The idea of having a Cultural Centre to cater for educational and recreational activities with a christian inspiration was already haunting the minds of our spiritual leaders way back to 1939. In 1945 an adhoc commision was set up under the chairmanship of Mgr. Arturo Bonnici to study the feasability of such a project and to submit suggestions for its implimentation. A plot of land in Floriana was acquired for this purpose and a public call to present plans for the building was announced. In 1953 it was decided to adopt the plan submitted by architect Michele Busuttil. On the 4th December 1954 the foundation stone was laid and blessed by Mgr. Michael Gonzi, and after six years the building was ready to be opened.

In the meantime various fund-raising activities and collections from the public were organised to finance the project, mainly by members of the Catholic Action, which in recognition of its involvement in it, was offered the first floor of this building to be used as its headquarters instead of the previous ones in Palazzo Caraffa, Valletta.

On the 18th May 1960 it was officially opened and blessed by Mgr. Michael Gonzi. The celebrations organised to mark this event focused on St. Paul, since this year Malta was celebrating the Pauline Centenary.

To day the Catholic Institute, apart from the Catholic Action Movement which occupies the forst floor of the building, offers part of the premises to various other religious organisations : the National Cathecetical Commision, the Cana Movement, the Institute for Pastoral Formation, the editorial staff of "Lehen is-Sewwa", and the Culture Commision of the Archidiocese. Courses, talks and seminars are organised regularly, not only by the resident associations, but also by outsiders, who find the site and the facilities offered favourable for participants.

The hub of recreational and cultural activities is the Auditorium, seating 830 and designed with special attention for acoustics by an Italian firm under the supervision of Prof. C. Montecamozzo. In 2007 a major refurbishment was carried out with a substantial investment in new seats, curtains and other accessories, and digital sound and light equipment.

Over the last fifty years different directors have managed the Catholic Institute :

• Mgr. Prof. Edward Coleiro
• Rev. Fr. Jimmy Orr
• Rev. Fr. Frans Schembri
• Rev. Fr. George Dalli
• Rev. Fr. Gino Gauci
• Rev. Fr. Joe Camilleri
• Rev. Fr. John Galea