Holy Week in Malta
Encyclopedia
Numerous religious traditions, most of them inherited from one generation to the next, are part of the Paschal
celebrations in the Maltese Islands.
begins by Ash Wednesday
(Ras ir-Randan), that is obligatory for fasting. On this day celebrate mass by putting ash on people head so sometimes called it also l-Erbgħa tal-Irmied and after the evening mass held a procession like a pilgrimage with the statute of the Redeemer
(Ir-Redentur) among the centre of many localities in Malta and Gozo, the biggest pilgrimage held at Senglea
.
Preparations for these solemn festivities usually commence forty (40) days before Easter Sunday (Ħadd il-Għid), traditionally starting on Palm Sunday
(Ħadd il-Palm), which in itself is the first day of penitential period following the end of the Carnival
celebrations. This is a time for penance, and the older generation will recall that not so many years ago fasting (sawm) on a daily basis was obligatory. Rules in this respect have now been relaxed considerably, and obligatory fasting is now limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
. There are also people that do not eat meat and sweets, every Wednesday and Friday through these 40 days.
Until recently, throughout the Lent
en period, the interior of Maltese churches would be draped in purple, with statues and paintings covered in mourning crêpe.
Lenten sermons (eżerċizzji), meant to bring about reconciliation between man and his Creator
, are held in all parishes in Malta
and Gozo
over a number of days, generally in the evenings. The traditional Way of the Cross is another very popular devotion during this period, with the faithful meditating at the fourteen Stations of the Cross (Via Sagra) relating various episodes of the Passion
and Crucifixion
of Our Lord.
A number of penitential pilgrimages are also held, and statues depicting scenes from the Passion are venerated in several churches. And some churches also dress in black damask.
(Id-Duluri) has a very special place in the hearts of thousands of Devotees. This feast is traditionally celebrated on the Friday before Good Friday, with the faithful walking in the procession behind penitential pilgrimages in practically every town and village. Traditionally, some of the penitents walk barefoot or drag heavy chains tied to their feet, in fulfilment of some vow for favours received through divine intercession. The most popular Our Lady of Sorrows procession, is that one that held in the church of Our Lady of Jesus, in Valletta
.
(Il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa) celebrations start on Palm Sunday
(Ħadd il-Palm), commemorating Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. However, celebrations really take off on Maundy Thursday (Ħamis ix-Xirka), with the commemoration of the Last Supper
(L-Aħħar Ċena). Traditionally, the faithful pay visits to seven Altars of repose
(Sepulkru), preferably in different churches. Several artistic examples of these Altars, beautifully decorated for the occasion, are to be found in a number of parishes in Malta and Gozo. But the most popular are the Altars of Repose that set in the churches of The Three Cities, Vittoriosa, Cospicua
and Senglea
. On Maundy Thursday
, in some localities also stop the working of the bell, and took the work of the bell the Ċuqqlajta, this is very popular in Żejtun
.
Representations of the Last Supper
table are put up in many towns and villages, and typically, the food used in these displays is distributed among the poor and needy of the parish.
(Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira) is a day of penance, and this is strictly observed through the veneration of the Cross (is-Salib) and through traditional Good Friday processions in different parishes. Statues representing various scenes from the Passion and Death of Christ, several of them veritable works of art by local artisans, are carried processionally. Figures dressed in Biblical, Roman and Jewish attire also take part, as do the local bands playing funeral march
es.
The following site is about Good Friday celebrations in Valletta, the Capital City of Malta)
http://www.freewebs.com/gimghalkbiravalletta/http://www.freewebs.com/gimghalkbiravalletta/
The Good Friday ritual in Malta includes visits to seven tabernacles
, or "Altars of Repose", in seven different churches. Sombre, and solemn religious processions and pageants are held in many towns and villages, with statues and costumed, local amateur actors representing scenes from the Passion of Christ. In some parts of Malta, these processions will include a number of penitents dressed in white robes and hoods, walking barefoot (or occasionally with chains tied to their ankles) as an act of penance or in fulfilment of a vow. This is a unique, medieval tradition which still survives today. Easter Sunday in Malta, by contrast, is marked by the incessant pealing of church bells, and festive, fast-paced processions, with the youth of each town running through the streets bearing sculptures of the Risen Christ.
Gozo
Paschal cycle
The Paschal cycle in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, is the cycle of the moveable feasts built around Pascha . The cycle consists of approximately ten weeks before and seven weeks after Pascha. The ten weeks before Pascha are known as the period of the Triodion...
celebrations in the Maltese Islands.
Lent
LentLent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
begins by Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, in the calendar of Western Christianity, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter. It is a moveable fast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter...
(Ras ir-Randan), that is obligatory for fasting. On this day celebrate mass by putting ash on people head so sometimes called it also l-Erbgħa tal-Irmied and after the evening mass held a procession like a pilgrimage with the statute of the Redeemer
Redeemer
- Religion :*Redeemer , referring to Jesus Christ*Mahdi, described in Islam as "the Redeemer "*Redeemer Presbyterian Church - Other organisations :*Redeemer Lutheran College, school in Queensland, Australia...
(Ir-Redentur) among the centre of many localities in Malta and Gozo, the biggest pilgrimage held at Senglea
Senglea
Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great...
.
Preparations for these solemn festivities usually commence forty (40) days before Easter Sunday (Ħadd il-Għid), traditionally starting on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
(Ħadd il-Palm), which in itself is the first day of penitential period following the end of the Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
celebrations. This is a time for penance, and the older generation will recall that not so many years ago fasting (sawm) on a daily basis was obligatory. Rules in this respect have now been relaxed considerably, and obligatory fasting is now limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
. There are also people that do not eat meat and sweets, every Wednesday and Friday through these 40 days.
Until recently, throughout the Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
en period, the interior of Maltese churches would be draped in purple, with statues and paintings covered in mourning crêpe.
Lenten sermons (eżerċizzji), meant to bring about reconciliation between man and his Creator
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, are held in all parishes in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
over a number of days, generally in the evenings. The traditional Way of the Cross is another very popular devotion during this period, with the faithful meditating at the fourteen Stations of the Cross (Via Sagra) relating various episodes of the Passion
Passion (Christianity)
The Passion is the Christian theological term used for the events and suffering – physical, spiritual, and mental – of Jesus in the hours before and including his trial and execution by crucifixion...
and Crucifixion
Crucifixion
Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
of Our Lord.
A number of penitential pilgrimages are also held, and statues depicting scenes from the Passion are venerated in several churches. And some churches also dress in black damask.
Our Lady of Sorrows Day
The feast of Our Lady of SorrowsOur Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows , the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows , and Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names by which the Blessed Virgin Mary is referred to in relation to sorrows in her life...
(Id-Duluri) has a very special place in the hearts of thousands of Devotees. This feast is traditionally celebrated on the Friday before Good Friday, with the faithful walking in the procession behind penitential pilgrimages in practically every town and village. Traditionally, some of the penitents walk barefoot or drag heavy chains tied to their feet, in fulfilment of some vow for favours received through divine intercession. The most popular Our Lady of Sorrows procession, is that one that held in the church of Our Lady of Jesus, in Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
.
From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday
Holy WeekHoly Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
(Il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa) celebrations start on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
(Ħadd il-Palm), commemorating Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. However, celebrations really take off on Maundy Thursday (Ħamis ix-Xirka), with the commemoration of the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
(L-Aħħar Ċena). Traditionally, the faithful pay visits to seven Altars of repose
Altar of repose
The altar of repose is an altar in Roman Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, and some Lutheran churches used as the place where the Communion hosts, consecrated in the Mass of the Lord's Supper, are reserved for Holy Communion on the following day, which is Good Friday, the day on which the death of Christ...
(Sepulkru), preferably in different churches. Several artistic examples of these Altars, beautifully decorated for the occasion, are to be found in a number of parishes in Malta and Gozo. But the most popular are the Altars of Repose that set in the churches of The Three Cities, Vittoriosa, Cospicua
Cospicua
Ċittà Cottonera, Ċittà Cospicua, Cospicua is a double-fortified harbour city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is the largest of the Three Cities. It was also given a title as Citta' Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region...
and Senglea
Senglea
Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great...
. On Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
, in some localities also stop the working of the bell, and took the work of the bell the Ċuqqlajta, this is very popular in Żejtun
Zejtun
Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname....
.
Representations of the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
table are put up in many towns and villages, and typically, the food used in these displays is distributed among the poor and needy of the parish.
Good Friday
Good FridayGood Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
(Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira) is a day of penance, and this is strictly observed through the veneration of the Cross (is-Salib) and through traditional Good Friday processions in different parishes. Statues representing various scenes from the Passion and Death of Christ, several of them veritable works of art by local artisans, are carried processionally. Figures dressed in Biblical, Roman and Jewish attire also take part, as do the local bands playing funeral march
Funeral march
A funeral march is a march, usually in a minor key, in a slow "simple duple" metre, imitating the solemn pace of a funeral procession. Some such marches are often considered appropriate for use during funerals and other sombre occasions, the most well-known being that of Chopin...
es.
The following site is about Good Friday celebrations in Valletta, the Capital City of Malta)
http://www.freewebs.com/gimghalkbiravalletta/http://www.freewebs.com/gimghalkbiravalletta/
Church tabernacle
A tabernacle is the fixed, locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" . A less obvious container, set into the wall, is called an aumbry....
, or "Altars of Repose", in seven different churches. Sombre, and solemn religious processions and pageants are held in many towns and villages, with statues and costumed, local amateur actors representing scenes from the Passion of Christ. In some parts of Malta, these processions will include a number of penitents dressed in white robes and hoods, walking barefoot (or occasionally with chains tied to their ankles) as an act of penance or in fulfilment of a vow. This is a unique, medieval tradition which still survives today. Easter Sunday in Malta, by contrast, is marked by the incessant pealing of church bells, and festive, fast-paced processions, with the youth of each town running through the streets bearing sculptures of the Risen Christ.
Notable observances of Holy Week
Malta- BirguBirguBirgu is an ancient city in Malta. It played a vital role in the Siege of Malta in 1565. Its population stood at 2,633 in December 2008.-History:...
- CospicuaCospicuaĊittà Cottonera, Ċittà Cospicua, Cospicua is a double-fortified harbour city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is the largest of the Three Cities. It was also given a title as Citta' Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region...
- LuqaLuqaĦal Luqa is a village located in the south east of Malta. It is an old town that has a dense population, typical of the Maltese Islands. The population of Ħal Luqa is 6,028 . There is a church in its main square dedicated to St. Andrew. The traditional feast of St...
- MdinaMdinaMdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly...
- MostaMostaMosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It had a population of 19,018 people in 2010. Mosta celebrates the feast of Saint Mary the Assumption on the 15th August. This is a very popular feast among the Mostin and tourists alike...
- NaxxarNaxxarNaxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8...
- PaolaPaola, MaltaPaola, , is a town in the Grand Harbour area of Malta, with a population of 8,856 people . It is named after its founder, the Grandmaster Antoine de Paule, but is commonly known as Raħal Ġdid, which means new town in Maltese.Paola is renowned for its shopping centres, Good Friday procession, its...
- QormiQormiQormi is a city in Malta with a population of 18,550 , which makes it the second largest locality in Malta...
- RabatRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
- SengleaSengleaSenglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great...
- VallettaVallettaValletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
- Żebbuġ, MaltaZebbug, MaltaĦaż-Żebbuġ or Città Rohan is one of the oldest towns in Malta. Its population is 12,892 as of 2010 making it the 12th largest town in Malta.-History and origins:...
- ŻejtunZejtunŻejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname....
Gozo
- NadurNadur-History:The word "Nadur" which in Maltese means "lookout", is derived from the Arabic word nadara. The town's motto means much the same. Ajwa....
- VictoriaVictoria, MaltaVictoria or Città Victoria is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The town has a total population of 6,414 , and by population is the largest locality in Gozo....
- Xagħra
- XewkijaXewkijaXewkija is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. The population of Xewkija is 3,115 , that is the fourth largest in Gozo, after Victoria , Nadur and Xagħra .-History:...
- Żebbuġ, GozoZebbug, GozoIż-Żebbuġ is a small village on the island of Gozo in Malta located in the northwest of the island, close to the towns of Gharb and Marsalforn, on a hilltop overlooking the coast. As of November 2005, it had a population of 1770. The word Żebbuġ means "olives", a crop for which the village used to...
Easter Sunday
The scene changes dramatically on Easter morning, and the triumphal Resurrection of the Lord is traditionally celebrated with a morning procession with the statue of the Risen Christ (L-Irxoxt) which is carried shoulder high by parishioners. The statue bearers actually run with the statue through the main streets of the town or village to the applause of the crowds. Throughout the procession people throw paper confetti from windows and balconies adding to the joyous atmosphere of the day. In contrast to the sombre and solemn Good Friday processions, on Easter Sunday brass bands play joyous tunes all along the procession. Children too enjoy, thanks to gifts of Easter Eggs (Bajd tal-Għid) and local traditional 'figolla', usually a pastry figure of a lamb or fish which carry with them and hold out to be blessed by the Risen Christ as the statue makes its way past them. Whilst a good number of localities hold these processions, the most popular with locals are those held in the Three Cities of Isla (Senglea), Birgu (Vittoriosa) and most notably Bormla (Cospicua).Traditional food eaten throughout the period
Traditional Maltese food for the Lenten period includes qagħaq tal-Appostli (Apostles' Rings), which are circular loaves of unleavened bread studded with roasted almonds and sprinkled with sesame seeds, and honey cakes known as kwareżimal (the name refers to the quadragesima, or 40 days of Lent). On Easter Sunday children are rewarded for their abstinence from sweets throughout Lent by means of a figolla, or Easter cookie made with almond paste, covered in sweet, coloured icing, and formed in a festive shape, such as a rabbit, a baby chick, a duck or a traditional Maltese fishing boat (dgħajsa).Traditional food of the Lent period and Good Friday
- Kwareżimal (Lent cake)
- Karamelli (Julep sweets)
- Pastizzi ta' l-Inċova (Anchovy cakes)
- Torta tal-Ħaxu (Riccota pie)
- Qaqgħa tal-Appostli (Apostles ring bread)
- Qaqoċċ (ArtichokeArtichoke-Plants:* Globe artichoke, a partially edible perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean* Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower with an edible tuber...
) - Bebbux (Snails)
- Qassatat tal-helu (sweet biscuits)
Traditional food of Easter Sunday
- Figolla
- Bajd ta' l-Għid (Easter Eggs)
- Ħaruf (Lamb)
See also
- Easter Sunday Processions in Malta and GozoEaster Sunday Processions in Malta and GozoEaster Sunday processions are just as popular in Malta and Gozo as the Good Friday manifestations. Every year, 19 processions are organised – 14 in Malta Easter Sunday processions are just as popular in Malta and Gozo as the Good Friday manifestations. Every year, 19 processions are organised – 14...
- Zejtun Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
- Good Friday procession article