News
Apr - Jun 2013
www.vittoriosahistorica.org
Vittoriosa honours a distinguished son: Dr Louis A. Buttigieg (1913 – 1963)
Mattia Preti Centenary
Giuseppe Briffa painting of St Lawrence
Eucharistic Congress 100 years anniversary
1,700 years since the Edict of Milan
Can. Lawrence Bonnici 50th anniversary
Fr Mikiel Fsadni OP passed away
175th anniversary of the Malta Dominican Province
Mro. Vincenzo Ciappara and the Prince of Wales Band
St Lawrence Band March-April 2013 newsletter
Inauguration of the new St Lawrence Band Club Restaurant
The Legend of Thomas McSweeney
The Ricasoli Uprising
MV Tenacious
George Cross commemoration
Malta Records Festival
De Soldanis talk
Vittoriosa Parish Museum
Stanley Spiteri appointment
Statue of the Exultation of the Cross
Paving of St Lawrence Street
Vittoriosa Stars in the Premier League
Argentina’s San Lorenzo Football Club
Vittoriosa during European Maritime Day
Granite column at Inquisitors Palace
Marble tablet still missing
Public transport complaints
Haz-Zebbug en fete
Memories of ‘is-Sonu’ playing ‘iz-zaqq’
Marriage customs and folklore in Gozo
Dolores Ancilleri passed away
Ambassador Carmel Mallia at the CSCE conference 1972
Marsa 100 years parish church
Confraternities meet Pope Francis
Vittoriosa history on radio
Cultural tour of Vittoriosa
Visit by H.E. Cardinal Prospero Grech
H.E. Cardinal Prospero Grech for the feast of St Augustine
Adoration led by H.E. the Cardinal
Model ship builder
San Lawrenz Catholic Action 75th anniversary
Mons Mikiel Azzopardi remembered
Can. Manuel Borg, ex-rector of the Chapel of All Souls, Valletta
Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi
A Sisters of Charity vocation
Devotion to St Philomena
La Vallette’s ceremonial sword and dagger
It-Tliet Cahdiet (the three betrayals)
Funeral at San Lorenzo, Genova
Giulio Andreotti
Mdina: ancient city of substance
Fort St Elmo restoration
Old St Scholastica Church pulpit
Elderly people’s foundation launched at Vittoriosa
Meeting of mayors from Cottonera
Jewellery exhibition
La Vallette’s battle sword
La Vallette’s progeny
St Lawrence Band May-June 2013 newsletter
Cottonera students exhibition
Vittoriosa honours a distinguished son: Dr Louis A. Buttigieg (1913 – 1963)
This year is the 50th anniversary from the death of Vittoriosa District Medical Officer, Dr Louise Buttigieg, a loved and respected Vittoriosa medical doctor who was also a lyrical poet, popularly known as It-Tabib Gigi . He was the first President of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society and was also for a time President of the Duke of Edinburgh Band of Vittoriosa, now St Lawrence Band. A literary evening by held by the Vittoriosa Local Council, in conjunction with the Buttigieg family, at the Aula Magna of the Auberge de France, at the Vittoriosa Local Council premises. It was attended by the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat. The event was led by Mr Gorg Peresso and poems written by Dr Buttigieg, all with Vittoriosa as a theme, were read by members of the Buttigieg family, interspersed with classical melodies played on the harp by Mr Jacob Portelli. The poems, in English, were taken from a collection that was published last year in a book on the initiative of the Buttigieg family. Mr Lorenzo A Zahra, Secretary of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society made a speech about the beginnings of the Society in 1953 and the zeal and patriotism that characterised Dr Buttigieg’s 10 years as President of the Society. The Society, on its part, organised a Memorial Mass in his honour at St Lawrence Collegiate Church, led by Mons. Paul Raggio, incumbent President of the Society, which was attended by the Buttigieg family and distinguished guests including Mr Lawrence V. Farrugia, President of the Vittoriosa St Lawrence Band Club, and Prof. Raymond Agius from the University of Manchester. Also for on the occasion of this anniversary, Dr. Buttigieg was featured in a literary appreciation of his work written by Mr Karmenu Mallia in In-Nazzjon Taghna.
Mattia Preti Centenary
Heritage Malta and Museo Civico di Taverna, Italy, have joined forces to major international exhibition about the famous baroque artist Mattia Preti. The exhibition, entitled “Faith and Humanity”, marks the 4th Centenary of the artisit’s birth and was inaugurated in Taverna, his birth city where it remained open for three months. The exhibition has now been brought to Malta and mounted at the Grandmasters’ Palace, Valletta, where it will stay open for a further three months. Mattia Preti worked in Malta for almost 40 years. He transformed the interior of the Order’s Conventual Church, St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta with a series of paintings on the life of St John the Baptist. The exhibition features prestigious painting loaned from major international institutions: from the Prado (Spain), the Louvre (Paris), Museo di Capodimonte (Naples), Musei Vaticani (Rome), Uffizi (Florence). These masterpieces are showcased along with select works from the Malta National Museum of Fine Arts and from churches and private collections, including two self-portraits. Heritage Malta organised a programme of events for the occasion including the holding of specialised tours, lectures and workshops on the artist’s style and technique. Rotary Club Malta also held an organ and vocal music concert at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, with the participation of St. Paul Choral Society. The Mattia Preti exhibition features a reproduction of the cupola painting of the Church of San Biagio, Modena, depicting the glory of the Holy Trinity with Saints. Among the saints, standing next to St John Baptist is St Lawrence wearing the dalmatic and holding the gridiron. Vittoriosa is proud to possess Mattia Preti’s largest canvas painting depicting the Martrydom of St Lawrence, the titular painting of St Lawrence Collegiate Church, executed in 1689. It is even larger than Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John Baptist. This painting was the subject of one of the series of the cultural programme on TVM entitled Malta u Lil Hinn Minnha led by art critic Keith Sciberras. Vittoriosa boasts two other Preti’s, the exquisite The Visitation, at St Scholastica Church, and St Jerome, at the Vittoriosa Parish Museum.
Giuseppe Briffa painting of St Lawrence
Art reviewer Charlene Vella in an article in The Sunday Times of Malta regrets that one of the major protagonists of Maltese 20th century art, Giuseppe Briffa, is not so well known an appreciated. The freshness and serenity of his painting are celestially powerful. He received commissions from several Maltese and Gozitan churches. St Lawrence Martyrdom is the subject of one of his paintings in the Orphanage Chapel of the Dominican Nunnery, Zabbar. The mentioned article is accompanied by a picture of the Mary, Queen of Martyrs, which includes St Lawrence holding the gridiron in the file of male saints.
Eucharistic Congress 100 years anniversary
In April 1913 Malta hosted the 24th International Eucharistic Congress during the papacy of Pope Pius X and when the Bishop of Malta was Mons Pietro Pace. The Congress was attended by 5 Cardinals led by the Pope’s Legate Mons Domenico Ferrata and no less than 60 bishops from all over the world. The inaugural cortege held at Valletta, which was decorated with religious festoons and decorations, was attended by some 7,000. The Congress proceedings were held at Mosta Parish Church. During the week-long Congress, liturgical functions were held in all Maltese parish churches, including St Lawrence Church, Vittoriosa. The church authorities granted with papal sanction, Plenary Indulgences for church attendance during the Congress. The hymn Nadurawk Ja Hobz tas-Sema with the Italian version T’Adoriam Ostia Divina, written by Dun Karm and composed by Mro. Giuseppe Caruana, was inaugurated during the Congress. The Duke of Edinburgh Band of Vittoriosa, now St Lawrence Band, played two musical programmes during the Congress, at Blata l-Bajda and at Fort St. Angelo, both under the baton of Mro. Giovanni Giumarra. The band also welcomed Mons Ferrata with band marches to the accompaniment of the St Aloysius Boys Choir when he visited St Lawrence Church. One public event that attracted attention during the Congress was the spectacular blessing of the sea from the Upper Barrakka. The monstrance used on that occasion was borrowed from St Lawrence Church, Vittoriosa. To mark the Eurcharistic Congress centenary, the Maltese Church organised various religious and community activities, including a public manifestation and Solemn Mass at St George’s Square, Valletta. The Mosta parish church also held a week of commemorations, including the execution of Puccini’s Messa di Gloria in the Rotunda by the Nicolo’ Isourd Band of Mosta and the Bel Canto Choir and under the direction of Vittoriosa-born Mro. Emanuel Spagnol, using the musical transcription by Mro. Victor Zammit. On its part, the Vittoriosa parish commemorated the Eucharistic Congress centenary with a special Adoration at St Lawrence Church led by the Archpriest and an open-air Holy Mass celebrated by Mons. Lawrence Gatt in the square in front of St Scholastica Church. The hymns during the liturgy were sung by the cloistered Benedictine nun of the Monastery of St. Scholastica. At the end of the celebration, the Blessed Sacrament was conveyed processionally to St. Lawrence Church.
1,700 years since the Edict of Milan
It was the year 313 when Constantine and his counterpart Licinius, respectively the emperors of the western and eastern Roman Empire signed the edict of Milan, granting freedom of worship to Christianity and put an end to two centuries of religious persecution. Hitherto, Rome became the seat of Catholicism. Emperor Constantine himself founded the seven Roman Basilicas, one of which dedicated to St Lawrence, the Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura. The centenary of the Edict of Milan was commemorated in Milan with a visit by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, who later paid a visit to Pope Francis, at the Vatican on Pentecost Sunday. In Malta, the event was commemorated with a forum organised by the Institute of Theological Research and the Birkirkara Collegiate Chapter, and with an exhibition at the Cathedral Museum, Mdina. A 100 years ago the 1,600 anniversary of the Edict of Milan coincided with the Eucharistic Congress and was commemorated by the universal church as decreed by Pope Pius X. In Malta a Solemn Te Deum was chanted in all churches on Pentecost Sunday.
Can. Lawrence Bonnici 50th anniversary
Congratulations to Can. Lawrence Bonnici on the 50th anniversary of his priesthood ordination. He celebrated solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated in the Tal-Hawli Chapel, Vittoriosa, of which he is Curator. Can. Bonnici, besides being the Canon Penitentiary of the St Lawrence Chapter, is the church organist at St Lawrence and also lead the parish choir. In past years he used to be chaplain and co-ordinator of the Vittoriosa youth centre.
Fr Mikiel Fsadni OP passed away
He will be remembered as the one who, in 1966, together with historian Godfrey Wettinger, discovered Peter Caxaro’s Cantilena, the 15th century poem, a historical landmark in Maltese literature. This denotes Fr Fsadni’s research interests in Maltese history and folklore. He was born at Vittoriosa and before joining the Dominicans, he was a Dockyard apprentice. At the beginning of the war he was stationed at the Vittoriosa convent, and when this received a direct hit and was razed to the ground and the Dominicans served the public from the Inquisitors Palace, he was again at Vittoriosa. He wrote a detailed account of the Dominicans in Malta since their arrival in 1450. In particular, he wrote the history of Vittoriosa’s Dominican convent and church dedicated to the Annunciation. He died at the age of 93 and his funeral took place at the Nazzareno parish church, Sliema. Two other senior Dominicans, both from Vittoriosa, were present, Fr. Marius Zerafa OP, and Fr Lawrence Attard OP. Also present for the funeral was Mr Joe Farrugia Cassano, long-time Treasurer of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society. His biography is recorded in chronologies written in The Times of Malta (Fr Mark Montebello OP), in Il-Mument (Joe Cassar), in Lehen is-Sewwa (Fr. Paul Gatt OP).
175th anniversary of the Malta Dominican Province
The Dominican Order set foot in Malta in 1461 with the first community being given the care and custody of the chapel of Our Lady of the Grotto in Rabat. Then in 1528, with the permission of the Birgu parish priest Filippo De Guevara, they established a convent around the chapel of the Annunciation which was at time run by a confraternity. Following the foundation of Valletta, they established themselves in the parish of Porto Salvo in 1571. The three communities existed independent of each other and were referred to as Congregazione San Pio V. In 1838 the three communities were organised into a single province. The decree founding the province was commemorated in an academic evening in the Dominican Church of Jesus of Nazareth, Sliema, in the presence of Archbishop Joseph Mercieca. The keynote speech for the occasion was delivered by Vittoriosa-born Fr. Laurence Attard O.P.
Mro. Vincenzo Ciappara and the Prince of Wales Band
In Lehen is-Sewwa Peter Paul Ciantar is featured with an article on the development of the traditional Maltese band marches played by Maltese band clubs. He contends that following the growth of several band clubs during the latter half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, band marches were typical foreign military or imported marches. The author says that the late Mro. Vincenzo Ciappara, a prolific composer of band marches, had confessed that he was the first Maltese musician to compose a purely Maltese popular band march and that this was played by the Prince of Wales Band of Vittoriosa, of which Mro. Ciappara was conductor. This primeval band march was performed at Piazza Regina, Valletta, and was soon being played by other bands, including Valletta’s Kings’ Own Band. The style and layout of the Maltese band march as devised by Mro. Ciappara has remained unchanged and has been followed by subsequent Maltese bandmasters.
St Lawrence Band March-April 2013 newsletter
The front page of this issue shows a picture of the statue of the Risen Christ bearing the Flag of the Religion being carried shoulder high through Vittoriosa Square. This is the highlight of the Easter celebration at Vittoriosa and attracts crowds of people, families with children, following the procession. This issue give due prominence to the newly elected Pope Francis with a two page biography. The historical feature from Anton Attard is this time about new sacred objects acquired by St Lawrence Collegiate Church, starting from the latter part of the 19th century. These included the gilded main altar canopy in 1875, the small side altars of the Holy Trinity and the Assumption in 1880, the silver gridiron and palm leaf that grace the statue of St Lawrence in 1887, the artistic organ loft in 1890, the inauguration of the dome painting in 1892, and the magnificent Bohemian crystal chandeliers in 1896. The acquisition of other works of art went on in subsequent years. The face-to-face interview from Paul Micallef is this time with the Band Club’s Treasurer, Oscar Adami. His outright comment is that he was influence in his bonds with Vittoriosa and St Lawrence by his father, Emanuel Adami, who until his demise in 1962 was the person responsible to dress the statute of St Lawrence with the jewel-studded dalmatic on the occasion of the feast. For a while Oscar Adami occupied the prestigious job as the driver of the President of the Republic. He also served for a number of years as councillor the Vittoriosa Local Council.
Inauguration of the new St Lawrence Band Club Restaurant
What was previously a modest bar intended for the club’s members at the ground floor of the St Lawrence Band Club in Vittoriosa Square has been converted into a fine high quality restaurant capable to serving the general public and tourists in particular. The project is a joint venture between the Band Club and a Belgian entrepreneur, residing at Vittoriosa. The premises were officially inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat.
The Legend of Thomas McSweeney
The sad story of Thomas McSweeney has intrigued historians and inspired writers. By latest publication is a novel by Alan Markland, The Reel of the Hanged One. Thomas McSweeney was an Irish seaman who was hanged in public in 1837 on board HMS Rodney in the Grand Harbour. He was court marshalled for allegedly causing the death of a fellow seaman. It was reported at the time that he was innocent and that he was executed on account of his Catholic faith. He is buried in St Lawrence Cemetery, Vittoriosa.
The Ricasoli Uprising
Another book with a historical novel just published by Faraxa Publishing House based on an episode that took place in 1807 is Ricasoli Soldier by Joe Scicluna. This was Malta soon after the upheaval caused by the French occupation and the initial years of British colonisation when Admiral Alexander Ball was governor. Malta was viewed as a strategic fortress in the Mediterranean and the British Army firmly established with a strong regiment at Fort Ricasoli. Ill-feeling and anger was rife among the recruits and a number of them revolted, occupied the gunpowder magazine and threatened to blow up the fort. The mutiny however crumbled and the insurgents were ultimately sentenced to death. They were given spiritual assistance from St Lawrence Church as Fort Ricasoli fell within the Vittoriosa parish boundary.
MV Tenacious
This is the largest wooden sailing ship of its type owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a British charity that promotes integration of people of all physical abilities through sailing adventures. It was berthed at Vittoriosa Wharf for the winter. Disabled people even took part in the design of the 65-metre two square-rigged tall sailing boat. It has a permanent crew of 8 and another 40 voyage crew spending an average of 10 days aboard. Half of these have a disability. Wide corridors, lifts, ramps, a talking compass and low-lying decks make it easy for anyone, no matter their physical abilities, to keep watch, scrub the floor, haul the sails and steer the ship.
George Cross commemoration
The George Cross Island Association organised the annual remembrance service on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the award to Malta of the George Cross, to the accompaniment of the mournful tolls of the Siege Bell in Grand Harbour. A re-enactment of the award of the George Cross was held at St George’s Square, Valletta , in which Denis Darmanin, Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society committee member took part, playing the role of an RMA soldier enlisting war conscripts.
Malta Records Festival
The Qormi Local Council successfully organised for the first time ever a festival of Malta records. The exhibits were displayed in the oldest part of the village, along St Bartholomew Street leading to St George’s Parish Church. The items included the biggest loaf, the tallest roly poly, the largest collection of key chains. Pity that the largest flag in Malta, which is hoisted on St James Cavalier for the feast of St Lawrence, depicting the imagery of the saint, was not among the exhibits.
De Soldanis talk
L-Akkademja tal-Malti in collaboration with Heritage Malta held a talk by Dr William Zammit on Gan Frangisk Agius de Soldanis, the 18th century Gozitan scholar and pioneer on the study of the maltese language, history and archaeology. During his research the speaker came across four letter written de Soldanis, one of which being an application to work at the Inquisitor’s Tribunal. For this reason the organisers saw it fit to host the talk at the Inquisitor’s Palace.
Vittoriosa Parish Museum
The Vittoriosa Parish Museum housed at St Joseph Oratory, Vittoriosa, was the subject of an edition of the cultural programme on TVM2 L-Arti Madwarna. It featured the innumerable artifacts belonging to the Museum, not least of which the Battle Sword and Hat of Grand Master De Vallette. Lorenzo Zahra, Secretary, Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society, was interviewed on the original and scope of the Museum.
Stanley Spiteri appointment
It was announced that Stanley Spiteri from Vittoriosa succeeds Joe Zammit, also from Vittoriosa, as editor of Farag, the popular quarterly magazine published by the Malta Catholic Action addressed to the sick and the disabled. Stanley had in the past occupied various offices within the Malta Catholic Action. He is also a committee member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.
Statue of the Exultation of the Cross
During the Lenten and Pascal period, the restored gilded cross that was venerated in pre-war years for the feast of the Holy Cross, was on display at St Lawrence Church, Vittoriosa. It was adorned with two knelling angels placed at foot of the renovated cross, one to the right and one to the left.
Paving of St Lawrence Street
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi accompanied by Vittoriosa mayor John Boxall visited St Lawrence Street and stated that the paving of the street, which is now finally under way should be completed within the next few months.
Vittoriosa Stars in the Premier League
After a lapse of two years, Vittoriosa Stars were promoted to the Premier League after beating Marsaxlokk in their last game of the season. The team was greeting with cheering and fireworks in Vittoriosa Square upon their return to the club after the win.
Argentina’s San Lorenzo Football Club
The Italian football association has invited the premier league San Lorenzo Football Club of Almagro, Argentina, for a friendly game in Rome as homage to the Argentinean Pope Francis, who is a fan and member of the club.
Vittoriosa during European Maritime Day
European Maritime Day 2013 was this year celebrated in Malta. Experts from maritime sectors in Europe converged on Malta to discuss ‘coastal development and sustainable tourism’ which was the theme of event. The keynote speaker during the conference was EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki. Various cultural activities were held in Valletta and in the Grand Harbour and other localities showcasing the diversity of the sea. At Vittoriosa the National Maritime Museum was open to the public and boat trips with the traditional dghajsa were available from Valletta Waterfront to Vittoriosa Wharf. Conducted tours were organised around the city. The renovated British Naval Bakery Clock Tower, now ready following renovation with the scaffolding removed, looked spruce and elegant, with its two new black clock faces and the repaired clock bells hanging from the belfry.
Granite column at Inquisitors Palace
It was announced by Heritage Malta that last year a granite column was discovered during restoration works at the Inquisitors Palace, Vittoriosa. It formed part of the Law Courts of the Order of St John built soon after they set foot at Birgu in 1530. The building, subsequently used by the Inquisition as from 1574, was modified. The column served as support for the original staircase leading to the upper floor. The staircase was dismantled and replaced by the present one designed by Romano Carapecchia but the column was left in place in the structure fabric. It should be remembered that another historic and mysterious granite exists at Vittoriosa: that holding the roof of St Ann’s Chapel at Fort St Angelo. It is held that this is a remnant from an ancient temple that stood on the site probably dating to the Roman or Punic eras.
Marble tablet still missing
The marble tablet that used to mark old Residence of the Order’s Chaplains in Pope Alexander VII Street in Vittoriosa is still missing. It was removed some years back. The Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society has appealed to the authorities for it to be re-installed.
Public transport complaints
There has been correspondence in the newspapers complaining about public transport to Vittoriosa. In the past, a bus used to reach Vittoriosa Square but this has been stopped due to the eventual paving of the square. However, a suggestion that the bus service could alternatively be directed to St Lawrence Street around Freedom Monument, an area frequented by numerous tourist coaches, has not been heeded.
Haz-Zebbug en fete
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the silver-clad titular statue of St Philip of Agirra. The statue was manufactured by the Italian silversmith Luigi Fontana in 1863. The village of Haz-Zebbug organised special celebrations for the occasion. It should be recalled that one of the longest serving archpriest of the village was Vittoriosa-born Mons. Lawrenz Zammit, the brother of the late Can. Theo. Anton Zammit-Gabaretta from the Collegiate Church of St Lawrence, Vittoriosa. It was during the time that Mons. Zammit was archpriest that the statue of St. Lawrence, the work of sculptor Marco Montebello, was placed on the Haz-Zebbug parish church parvis. It should also be noted that Mons. Lawrenz Mifsud, ex-archpriest of Vittoriosa, is presently rector of the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart at Haz-Zebbug.
Memories of ‘is-Sonu’ playing ‘iz-zaqq’
Two British researchers who documented the Maltese bagpipe popularly known as ‘iz-zaqq’ during their stay in Malta 40 years ago have presented their detailed study including audio recordings and photographs to the National Archives, encouraged by Maltese doctorate student Steve Borg who came across the study while undergoing research work on Maltese folklore. ‘Iz-zaqq’ is a complex Maltese traditional musical instrument akin to the bagpipe: the bag is made from animal skin and the distinctive chanter is moulded from cane. Most players had passed away by the time of the study but ‘is-Sonu’ (short for Ausonio) and his son ‘Lori’ (short for Lorenzo), both from Vittoriosa, were still around. A picture of them in action with ‘iz-zaqq’ taken in 1972 is carried in The Times of Malta reporting the presentation of the documents. Steve Borg is co-founder of the Maltese folk group Etnika, which has endeavoured to re-introduce the use of ‘iz-zaqq’. At Vittoriosa, ‘is-Sonu’ and ‘Lori’ are also fondly remembered for their famed ‘imqaret’, the Maltese date-filled deep-fried pastry biscuits, which they used to sell from their adorable donkey either at Vittoriosa Square or at Gavino Gulia Square, Cospicua, next to the Dockyard Gate.
Marriage customs and folklore in Gozo
Gozitan historian Toni Calleja is features in a study of marragies in Gozo, and in particular in his native village, Ghasri, in the 2013 edition of the parish publication Il-Korpus. When discussing bans during the 18th century, he describes how strictly this matter was treated, even to the point of nullifying the marriage. As an example he mentions the marriage between two Gozitan which took place in October 1777, of all places, in the prison cell of the Bishop’s Curia in Vittoriosa. It was later discovered that they somehow they were consanguine and the marriage was invalidated. After a dispensation was obtained from the Holy See, the marriage was celebrated again in their home village of Xaghra, Gozo.
Dolores Ancilleri passed away
She was sadly missed by her nephew, Vittoriosa Mayor John Boxall. She was the one who looked after him when as a young boy he lost his mother tragically some 50 years ago. She was a saintly member of the Vittoriosa MUSEUM female section. Her funeral was held at St Lawrence Church.
Ambassador Carmel Mallia at the CSCE conference 1972
Eminent Maltese diplomat Evalist Saliba recalled the vicissitudes of the Helsinki 1972-73 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in an article entitled ‘A page of CSCE history’ in The Sunday Times of Malta. He recalls the turbulent times when the conference was held in the thick of the Cold War. Evarist Saliba was the protagonist the Malta delegation which was headed by the Prime Minister of time, Hon. Dom Mintoff. He chronicles in detail the controversial position taken by Malta. The no less problem-ridden second phase of the conference was held in Geneve and this time was headed by Malta’s Ambassador to Italy, Vittoriosa-born Carmel Mallia. A picture of him with the other delegates is reproduced in The Sunday Times of Malta.
Marsa 100 years parish church
It was 100 years ago in 1913, in the trail of the Eucharistic Congress that was being held in Malta at the time, that Marsa was carved out from the surrounding parishes of Hamrun, Paola and Qormi, and was established as a separate parish in its own right. In article in a commemorative magazine Il-Marsa published for the occasion, Lorenzo Zahra, describes how the Marsa had been inhabited since Roman times but it was since the mid-19th century that the population was on the rise, especially along Marsa quey. The benefactor of the new Holy Trinity parish church, which was entrusted to the Capuchin Order, were Lorenzo Balbi and his wife Carmela Balbi. Lorenzo desired to dedicate the new church to his namesake, St Lawrence Martyr, but he was persuaded otherwise by the church authorities. Nonetheless, one of the side alters is dedicated to St Lawrence and another to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Confraternities meet Pope Francis
Pope Frances addressed some 30,000 members of Confraternities from around the world in the Vatican’s St Peters’ Square, followed by Mass and the recital of the Regina Coeli. Among the participants was a delegation from Malta. It is a pity that Vittoriosa’s ancient Confraternities, among which that of St Joseph and that of the Holy Crucifix, are now defunct.
Vittoriosa history on radio
The local radio station Radju Kottoner is broadcasting a weekly programme of three quarters of an hour duration about the history of Vittoriosa.
Cultural tour of Vittoriosa
The periodic cultural monthly tour for April organised by Heritage Malta as part of its public education programme brought the participants to Vittoriosa for a visit to the Inquisitors palace and to Notre Dame Gate.
Visit by H.E. Cardinal Prospero Grech
The Association of Lyceum Past Students organised a grand reunion of students who had started their Lyceum days many years ago. The event commenced with Holy Mass at Jesuits Church, Valletta. H.E. Cardinal Prospero Grech from Vittoriosa, himself an old Lyceum boy, concelebrated Mass with H.G. the Archbishop of Malta and other Lyceum old boys who joined priesthood. This was followed by an exquisite reception at the Aula Magna. During his brief stay in Malta, Cardinal Prospero Grech had the occasion to meet friends, family and relatives, among whom the Farrugia Cassanos.
H.E. Cardinal Prospero Grech for the feast of St Augustine
Cardinal Prospero Grech was again in Malta for the feast of St Augustine which is celebrated in the Augustinian parish church in Valletta. This year’s feast was therefore a special one: one the eve of the feast the Cardinal performed an ordination of two new priests in the Augustinian Order, one from Malta and one from the Philippines; then on the feast day the Cardinal celebrated the Pontifical Mass and also delivered the Panegyric in honour of St Augustine.
Adoration led by H.E. the Cardinal
During a visit to Gozo, Cardinal Prospero Grech OSA led a Holy Adoration at the parish church of Fontana on the occasion of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The Fontana parish sanctuary dedicated to the Sacred Heart was inaugurated when Giovanni Maria Camilleri, OSA was Bishop of Gozo.
Model ship builder
Joseph Abela is the Vittoriosa Maritime Museum executive keeper of model ships preserved at the Museum. He is featured in an article in The Times of Malta, accompanies by photographs of some of his models. He has so far constructed some 40 scale models, including one of the 16th century galleon La Real, which is the centrepiece of the Lepanto Battle Museum of Nafpaktos, Greece.
San Lawrenz Catholic Action 75th anniversary
The 75th anniversary from the setting up of the Catholic Action branch at the village of San Lawrenz, Gozo, was recalled with a Mass of Thanksgiving administered by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech. In the homely he recalled and praised the assiduous work of the founder and first spiritual director of the Circolo San Lorenzo, the saintly Dun Guzepp Cauchi.
Mons Mikiel Azzopardi remembered
The founder of the Dar tal-Providenza, the principal church home for the disabled and run under the aegis of the Catholic Action was commemoration by the usual annual celebration which included Holy Mass at the Siggiewi Residence. The principal celebrant was Fr. Paul Chetcuti S.J., the Spiritual Director of the Maltese Catholic Action.
Can. Manuel Borg, ex-rector of the Chapel of All Souls, Valletta
Dr Joseph Micallef Stafrace in his regular column in Lehen is-Sewwa recounts auto-biographical episodes. When writing about his childhood years in Valletta, he recalls the intense pastoral work by the saintly Can. Manuel Borg from Vittoriosa who resided in Valletta and was the rector the Chapel of All Souls in Merchant Street, Valletta. He was nicknamed Il-Kaptan because during the war he served as army captain. He used to spend time caring for the spiritual needs of civil servants, always doing the rounds of different government departments. He was admired for his friendliness when hearing confessions.
Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi
She was Mother Superior of the Benedictine Order born in Fogliano, Italy in 1799 and died 1847. Her humility and fortitude led to her beatification in the Duomo of Spoleto by Cardinal Angelo Amato in 2012. Lorenzo Zahra writes about her life in Lehen is-Sewwa.
A Sisters of Charity vocation
Ramona Privitelli, a youth from Vittoriosa residing at Tarxien jointed the Sisiters of Charity of St. Giovanna Antida as a novice. She relates how she realised her vocation in the Tarxien Parish Bulletin issue for the Annunciation Feast. She had a job as a nurse at the Karin Grech Rehabilitation Centre and led a jovial and happy life. Then last summer she decided to spend a short while in the missions, helping the poor in Ethiopia. And that is where she felt the divine calling.
Devotion to St Philomena
This early church martyr was held in high esteem in the past and was credited with many miracles and intercessions. Mons. Anton Gauci gives an account of her story in Lehen is-Sewwa. He mentions that one of her admirers was the Cure’ of Ars, St John Vianney. She was venerated at Vittoriosa and an oval painting of her is found at St. Lawrence Church in the Chapel of St Joseph. She shares her feast day with St Clare of Assisi on 11 August.
La Vallette’s ceremonial sword and dagger
The famed sword and dagger belonging to Grand Master La Valette will be loaned to Malta by the Louvre Museum when Valletta takes on the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018. The ceremonial sword with its gilded and diamond-studded hilt and the small poniard were awarded by Philippe II of Spain to La Valletta in 1565 for his victory against the Ottomans. The Grand Master must have received these splendid gifts at the magisterial palace at Vittoriosa. According to some newspaper correspondents the precious relics should be returned permanently to Malta rather than loaned, considering their appropriate by Bonaparte as a colonial theft. Other correspondents contended that the French occupiers have had a right of possession following the Order’s capitulation. Vittoriosa is proud to own La Vallette’s unpretentious battle sword and hat, preserved at the Vittoriosa Museum.
It-Tliet Cahdiet (the three betrayals)
This is the title of a poem by Joseph Cachia from Vittoriosa published in the latest edition of the magazine L-Anzjan Illum, published by the National Council for the Elderly. The poem is an elegy about initially, the lack of esteem towards the Maltese language, followed by a lament about the disrespect to the national heritage, and a final groan about the loss of nationhood.
Funeral at San Lorenzo, Genova
Tragedy shook the busy port of Genova when a huge trailer container ship accidentally hit the control tower and knocked it down with a crash, leaving 8 uniformed port workers buried under the debris. The national and city authorities mourned and gave respect to the victims when the coffins, draped in the national Italian colours and decked with flowers, were led to the crowded Cathedral of San Lorenzo for the funeral service, led by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. The origin of the Cathedral goes back to the 5th century and according to tradition, it recalls the passage of the young St Lawrence through the city on his way from Spain to Rome,in response to Pope Sixtus II’s invitation.
Giulio Andreotti
A stalwart of the Italian political scene for many years, Giulio Andreotti died at age 92. He was seven times head of government in Italy and was maligned with implications with the Mafia, was imprisoned and then exonerated. He was a fervent Catholic. In a press biographical commentary following his demise, it was report that on his way to Parliament in Rome in the morning he would often hear Mass at the nearby church of San Lorenzo in Lucina. It was also noted that when ex-Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, a close friend of his, happened to be in Rome both would go together for Mass.
Mdina: ancient city of substance
This is the title of an erudite two-part article in The Sunday Times of Malta by art critic and historian Lino Bugeja, extolling the ancient city’s romance and splendour, tracing its history since olden times though the middle ages reaching its apex during the Order’s epoch, with the construction of Lorenzo Gafa’s Cathedral. The author delves into the Cathedral’s musical tradition as denoted by the invaluable collection of liturgical and choral books preserved in the Cathedral Museum. He does not fail to recall that the earliest recorded reference in Malta to religious music is found in a 13th century Angevin manuscript which alludes to a set of musical scores in use at the troglodyte chapel of the Mother of God at Fort St Angelo, then called Castrum Maris, on the Vittoriosa promontory.
Fort St Elmo restoration
The extensive restoration works under way, financed with EU funds, are featured in an article by Daphne Caruana Galizia in a recent issue of Flair magazine. The article points to the many interesting details discovered during the process, the most fascinating being a concealed passageway leading from the upper level of the Fort direct to the water’s edge below. The passageway had been filled in and blocked during the British period. It was discovered by accident. It must have been the very same passage, mentioned by Antonio Bosio in his narration of the Great Siege epic, through which boats brought re-enforcements and supplies from Birgu to the besieged at Fort St Elmo under cover of darkness.
Old St Scholastica Church pulpit
The programme for the Annunciation feast at Tarxien carried an article on the old timber pulpit that stood in the parish church until it became obsolete with the liturgy reforms in the wake of Vatican Council II. It was the work of the brothers Giuseppe and Cosimo Scolaro who was inaugurated in 1769. This pulpit is akin, even to the details of carved decorations, to the pulpit that graced the church of St Scholastica at the Benedictine Monastery, Vittoriosa, and is surely the product of the same artists. It was removed in the mid-1970s and is now exhibited in the Inquisitors’ Palace, Vittoriosa.
Elderly people’s foundation launched at Vittoriosa
During a workshop on held at the Vittoriosa Local Council, the Minister for Social Services, Hon. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, announced the launch of a foundation for elderly people, Fondazzjoni Xjuhija Attiva Malta. During the seminar, various presentations were made on the aging population of Vittoriosa and on initiatives for elderly people to remain active.
Meeting of mayors from Cottonera
For the first time since the inception of local councils, and on the initiative and invitation of the Vittoriosa mayor Mr John Boxall, a meeting was held in the Auberge de France, the Vittoriosa Local Council seat, between the mayors of the three cities making up the Cottonera, namely Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, as well as the hinterland town of Kalkara. The object of the meeting was to share thoughts and ideas and make way for cooperation and joint-participation in the provision of services to the community.
Jewellery exhibition
Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti has put together a prestigious first-time exhibition at the Casino Maltese, Valletta, displaying spectacular pieces of artistic and historical jewellery loaned from Maltese private and church collections which are rarely, if ever, seen in public. The exhibition sought to provide a survey of the use of jewellery in Malta from ancient times to the present, shedding light on the beliefs, customs and fashion of the people. Among the decorative ornaments there was an oval silver 18th century pendant from a private collection with a colour picture of St. Lawrence. The churches of Vittoriosa possesses several precious and antique silver objects and artefacts which apparently could not included in the exhibition.
La Vallette’s battle sword
The battle sword of La Vallette, proudly preserved at the Vittoriosa Parish Museum in the Chapel of Our Lady of Damascene, was features in two articles in The Times of Malta. The article emphasises the fact that while the beautiful bejewelled La Vallette sword held at the Louvre Museum in Paris was merely a ceremonial sword, the gift of King Philip II of Spain to La Vallette, the modest sword held at Vittoriosa is the very same battle sword used by the Grand Master during the Siege. La Vallette laid down his hat and sword at the altar of Our Lady as a votive offering after the Great Siege victory. The article quotes leading historian and judge Giovanni Bonello that “there are very few relics of the Grand Master, then these are very unique relics”. The article says the Vittoriosa Parish Museum is curated by the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society. Faithful replicas of the La Vallette battle sword were made for the Malta Historical Fencing Association after thorough study and research. A demonstration on the battle techniques of sword fighting was given by the Association at the Vittoriosa Maritime Museum.
La Vallette’s progeny
It is a strange and murky aside of La Vallette’s story that was treated by Giovanni Bonello in a two part feature in The Sunday Times of Malta: it is about the Grand Master’s secret love affairs whereby he fathered a son and a daughter, despite the vow of chastity that was the hallmark of the Order of St John. His son Barthelemy Grecque was stowed away in France where he was ultimately legitimated by the King of France. His daughter Isabella Guasconi who grew into a beautiful lady, was passed as the daughter of a Rhodiot nobleman. La Vallette was her godfather. She fell in love with a Florentine gentleman Stefano Buonaccorsi and they got married in St Lawrence Conventual Church, Vittoriosa, and La Vallette gave her away in the ceremony. This was in 1567. Just a year later Stefano waylaid her and murdered her out of manic jealously, grabbing his wife’s monies and valuables, and vanished. The manhunt that was mounted by the Grand Council was all in vain. La Vallette died heart-broken a month after the murder and was buried in Fort St. Angelo.
St Lawrence Band May-June 2013 newsletter
The issue commemorates the 50th anniversary of the demise of one the Vittoriosa band’s most famous conductors, Mro. Carl Maria Arz (1887 – 1963). He was enrolled to lead the Vittoriosa band, then called Duke of Edinburgh Band, in 1925 and he brought the band great prestige and popularity. Under his direction, the band managed to secure an aggregate of 57 engagements in a year. In a memorable band programme at Argotti in 1927 he passed the baton to his wife who was also a musician. These were the golden years of the Vittoriosa band. The historical pieces in this issue of the Band’s newsletter are about the Inquisitors’ Palace and the Birgu fortifications, written by Anton Attard, and about the Niche of the Holy Crucifix at Vittoriosa Wharf, by Lorenzo Zahra. The regular interview from Paul Micallef is this time with Karmenu Scicluna, the sexton of St Lawrence Church who is also a committee member of the St Lawrence Band.
Cottonera students exhibition
St Margaret College Boys’ Secondary at Verdala in Cospicua, presented an admirable end-of-scholastic year exhibition of projects created by students during the year. The theme of the exhibition was the Cottonera, comprising Vittoriosa, Cospicua, Senglea and Kalkara, which is in fact the home area of the students. The Lorenzo Gafa’ Boys’ Secondary School situated at Fortini is annexed to the St Margaret College and is frequented by the higher-forms students. The projects covered different spheres of skills and activities: drawing, mounts, photographs, even a video produced by the students showing historical places in the Cottonera. In the models section it was noticeable that the Cottonera landmark that most attracted the students’ attention was St. Ann’s Chapel at Fort St. Angelo. Free shuttle mini-train rides across the Cottonera were offered, departing from the school. The organisers were given a helping hand by Cottonera-based historian and sociologist Dr Simon Mercieca from the University Institute of Mediterranean Studies.