Year 10 students at St Albert the Great College were given a stark and emotional insight into the realities of addiction, as a former addict shared his journey from darkness to recovery during a school visit by the Cenacolo Community.
Secondary School Head Mr Horace Gauci said the college “accepted with joy” the opportunity for senior students to meet the community, describing the session as an important moment of formation beyond the classroom.
Thomas, a former alcohol and drug addict, spoke about his troubled adolescence, shaped by family breakdown and personal loss. He recalled how his parents’ divorce and the death of his father at the age of 14 left him feeling “lost” and “alone”.
Seeking escape, he turned to parties, alcohol and drugs — a path that quickly led him into a difficult and destructive period of his life.
His turning point came when a priest introduced him to the Cenacolo Community, which offers support to young people struggling with addiction and those searching for direction and purpose.
Students described the session as an “eye-opener”, with some highlighting the role of faith and hope in recovery, noting that even in the darkest moments, change is possible.
College Rector Fr Aaron Zahra OP said that building a better society must begin within school communities. He emphasised that community is a central pillar of Dominican life, alongside prayer, study and preaching, and stressed that life choices carry real consequences — not only for individuals but also for their families and future.
“Education is not only about academic achievement, but about forming young people into responsible individuals,” he said.
The session formed part of the college’s ongoing mission to guide students towards making informed and positive life decisions.
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