The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church (Maltese: Knisja Parrokkjali Madonna ta' Lourdes) is a Roman Catholic parish church in San Ġwann, Malta, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It forms part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta. It is under the current administration of the Capuchin Order[1], with a community friars: Fr. Bertrand Vella (parish priest); Fr. Paul Bugeja; Fr. Valentine Calleja; Fr. John Vella; Br. Jesmond Ciantar; Fr. Leonard Falzon; and Fr. Publius Mair.
| Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church | |
|---|---|
Knisja Parrokkjali Madonna ta' Lourdes | |
 Street view of the Parish Church | |
| Location | San Ġwann |
| Country | Malta |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Religious institute | Order of Friars Minor Capuchin |
| Website | parrocci.knisja.mt/parrocca/san-gwann |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Lourdes |
| Dedicated | December 20, 1959 |
| Consecrated | May 12, 1962 |
| Events | First Sunday of August |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Ġużé Colombo |
| Architectural type | NeoClassical |
| Groundbreaking | September 13, 1953 |
| Completed | December 20, 1959 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 35.66m |
| Width | 19.5m |
| Materials | Maltese Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta |
| Parish | September 21, 1965 |
 | |
| Logo was unveiled on March 31, 2023 and designed by Mr Bernard Sant | |
History
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When the areas between Birkirkara and Sliema started to develop after the Second World War, the Archbishop of that time, Mons. Michael Gonzi, asked the Capuchin Friars to take care of the spiritual life of the people. The Capuchin Friars took responsibility for the Imsieraħ locality on February 21, 1947. The first friars were Fr. Feliċ Scicluna, Fr. Joseph Mary Spiteri, and Fr. Teophilus Ebejer, who took temporary residence at 152, Triq San Ġiljan, near the Chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar.[2]
For many people who did not know things from the inside, the arrival of the Capuchins was too little of a surprise. This is because it was the Carmelite friars who used to give some service (such as masses) in the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar. Among these was Fr. Elija Caruana O.Carm. Fr. Elija used to come from the convent of the Carmelites of Balluta. For the local people, whether Carmelites or Capuchins, the most important thing was that they could now be better served. The need to have at least two priests for the service of the people had been felt for a long time, especially considering the distance between this locality and the parishes of which it was a part. Therefore, they welcomed the Capuchin friars with open arms, and the friars did not fail to reciprocate. From the very beginning, the three priests did their best to ensure that the people were served spiritually, as they should. Although the population was not large, the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar was too small. In fact, we can say that for mass, there were more people outside the chapel than inside. Here, the need to do something for the comfort of the people began to be felt. This is because the chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar has become the centre of every religious activity in the neighbourhood. Some feasts have started to be organised, such as Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter.[2]
The need for a Convent and a Bigger Church
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For this purpose, a plan was prepared to build a church and a convent. These had to be paid for, according to his own wish, by Mr. Ġużeppi Borg, a businessman from Birkirkara. Mr. Borg wanted to build a temple to Our Lady under the title of Sorrows. It was decided to build the convent first and then the church. The architect was Mr. Ġuze Colombo and the supervisor was Mr. Feliċ Mifsud, a contractor from the same neighbourhood. On November 3, 1949, work began to build a convent and a church based on the general outline of Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. It was Mr. Ġuzeppi Borg and his son Feliċ, who gave the land, and the first stone, the one above the foundation, was laid in January 1950. It was blessed by P. Feliċ Scicluna, guardian of the Capuchin fraternity, on behalf of the Provincial. The first floor of the convent was finished by September 15, 1950. Consisting of a corridor in the middle. On the left side were the friar's cells, while the right side was left open. Thus, one side of the convent building served as a temporary chapel, in which the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly transferred from the Chapel of San Gwann tal-Għorgħar. The upper floor was built a number of years later.[3]
The blessing of the convent was done by Archbishop Michael Gonzi in the presence of the Provincial, of Ġuzeppi and his son Feliċ Borg, as well as some of the Canons of the Collegiate Basilica of Sant' Elena of Birkirkara. A number of Capuchin friars from different convents also took part. Last but certainly not least, all the elderly, as well as young people and children who lived in these areas, were present. On September 16, 1950, Father Anton Dimech, Provincial of the Capuchins, led a processional procession of the Holy Sacrament from the Chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar to the provisional convent.[3]
The New Church
editThe church foundation stone was laid on September 13, 1953, and blessed by Bishop Mons. Emanuel Galea. To be completed and inaugurated on December 20, 1959.[4]
The Dedication
editThe church is dedicated to Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception of Lourdes. But the thought and desire of Mr. Felic Borg, the main benefactor of the church, was that its title should be Our Lady of Sorrows. Feliċ borg was so determined that the church should bring this title that he even wanted it to be written down, and it was written down in the first contract he had made with the Provincial of the Capuchin Order on April 21, 1940.[5]
On June 12, 1959, with the consent of Mr. Feliċ Borg and with the approval of Archbishop Gonzi and the Provincial of the Capuchins at that time, the agreement was changed to change the title of the church to Our Lady of Lourdes. The next day, June 13, a temporary picture of Our Lady of Lourdes was placed in the church.On June 14, 1959, the painter Mr. Ġuze Briffa, from Birkirkara, started working on the draft of the new title and offered to do it free of charge. On December 17, 1959, the titular painting was finished, and the same painter, Briffa, was brought to the church. On December 20, 1959, the day on which the church was opened and blessed, Archbishop Michael Gonzi, after giving the sacramental blessing, unveiled and blessed the titular picture of Our Lady of Lourdes. On July 16, 1979, the work of gilding the frame of the titular frame began.[5]
Church Consecration
editAlthough the church of Our Lady of Lourdes, San Gwann, had been serving the public worship of God for three years, it had not yet been officially consecrated for this sacred use. The beautiful day for this occasion arrived on May 12, 1962.[6]
On the previous day, the 11th, in the chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of San Gwann, the relics of the holy martyrs Jucundian and Joshua were prepared, which, according to the ritual of the consecration of the church at that time, had to be buried in the middle of the mensa of the high altar. At 3.00 pm on the same day, Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi arrived at the nuns to seal the relics. Then, at 5.00 pm a penitential procession with the relics took place along the main streets of San Ġwann. The next morning, on the 12th of May, the relics were transported in a procession led by Archbishop Gonzi, assisted by Mons. Emanuel Vella and Mons. Giuseppe Lupi. Then the consecration ceremony of the church was held by the archbishop.[6]
As a sign of this consecration, 12 crosses were placed on the columns of the church along the aisle, six on each side. These crosses are made of marble on a gold-coloured mosaic background. In memory of the consecration of the church, a marble plaque was also placed on the wall, on the side of the chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in Latin.[6]
| Original script | Translation to English |
|---|---|
| D.O.M.
AD SACRI TEMPLE MAJUS IMMACULATAE VIRGINI LAPURDENSI DICATI LABENTIBUS ANNIS CONSECRATIONIS PERPETUANDAM MEMORIAM EIUSDEMQUE ALTARIS PRINCIPIS SACRIS RELICIUS SANCTORUM MARTYRUM JUCUNDI ET JOSUE PRADITI PRIME PRAE CAETERIS A DOM. MICHAEL GONZI ARCHIEP. MELITENSE TERTIODECIMO CAL. JUNE MCMLXII JUXTA PUNTIFICALE ROMANUM AMENDMENT SOLEMNIIS CAEMONIIS PERACTAE RITE |
In memory forever
until the years go by of the Consecration of this Sacred Temple, dedicated to the Immaculate Virgin of Lourdes, and of his High Altar, endowed with the holy relics of the martyred saints Jucundian and Joshua, which was held with solemn ceremonies, by Msgr. Mikiel Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta, on 20 May 1962 according to the revised rite of the Roman Pontiff. |
(N.B. The church of Our Lady of Lourdes, San Ġwann, was consecrated on May 12, 1962, and not on May 20, as stated in the inscription above.)
The Main Altar, Titular Painting and Statue.
editThe Main Altar of the Parish Church
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In every church, the altar is the central work. The altar of this church is a beautiful and artistic work of marble from Pietra Santa di Lucca, Italy. It was put into place in October 1961. On the facade of the first step, there are ten medallions with the figures of some prophets and other biblical characters, which we consider to be figures of Our Lady. In the middle of the altar is the bronze tabernacle, covered from the inside with silver sheets. The design of the altar is by Mr. G. Galea. As we mentioned, the altar was consecrated by the archbishop, Mons. Michael Gonzi, on May 12, 1962.[7]
The bronze candlesticks, which can be seen on the altar, were made by the firm F. Abela & Sons, of Blata l'Bajda, Hamrun, in the years 1059 and 1964. While the candlesticks of the titular feast are silvered bronze and were paid for by Mr. Ġuzeppi Micallef and his wife Lorenza. On each of the three faces of the candlestick, there are the symbols of Our Lady, St. Francis, and the surname Micallef. The foot of the cross, which is part of the set of candlesticks, has four faces with the addition of the lily, which is also a symbol of Our Lady.[7]
The statues of the Apostles, which are placed on the altar during the titular feast, are made of wood in Milan. These are the original models of the set of silver apostles of the collegiate church of Bormla. They were bought from the Chapter of Bormla. The 'handmade' flowers are made of ganutel by Emanuel Sciberras from Qrendi.[7]
The Titular Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes
editAs soon as it was confirmed and decided that the title of our church should be that of Our Lady under the title of Lourdes, this statue was immediately ordered. Until this statue was completed, another statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was temporarily brought in, a statue borrowed from the Capuchin friars' convent of Għajn Dwieli. This statue was first placed in the small church of San Ġwann tal-Għorgħar, which is now used by the members of the museum. On July 16, 1959, she was taken from there on a solemn pilgrimage to a church dedicated to her. This was the first occasion of a public manifestation to Our Lady under the title of Lourdes in this village, at that time known as Imsieraħ, which was placed under her protection.[5]
On June 17, 1960, the new statue of Our Lady of Lourdes arrived from Italy. The statue was blessed in the Basilica of Sant' Elena in Birkirkara by the provost-archpriest, Mons. Emmauel Vella, on the 23rd of April 1961, and from there she was taken on a pilgrimage to the church of Imsieraħ. The members of the chapter of the Collegiate of Birkirkara and of the community of Capuchin friars took part in the pilgrimage, together with associations and the numerous people of Birkirkara and San Gwann.[5]
The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was paid for by Mr. Mikiel Sciberras, nicknamed Gozitan. The wooden rays on the back of this statue were worked by a carpenter from Balzan in his own house, a little every day after his day's work. It was not easy to connect the large rays to the statue, mainly due to the lack of the necessary tools. Therefore, after a request to the "Royal Air Force" authorities, four British experts came, and they placed the beams on the back of the statue. On the 20th of December 1960, the silver diademe for the head of the statue of the Madonna was made, the work of Joseph Pirotta of Naxxar. On April 19, 1961, a garland was made for the same statue, and it was made by Emanuel Sciberras. The blue pavilion and the crown that are erected during the feast week were made in 1963 and were paid for by Father Mattew Sultana OFM Cap, with the money he used to bring in from his work as a rosary beads maker, which he used to do all the time. In 1963, four silver gastris were also made, which are used for bouquets of ganutell, and during the feast, these are mounted around the statue. Two of these were paid by Mr. Ġuzeppi Micallef and his wife Lorenza, and the other two by a person who did not want to be named. The ganutell flowers for these four gastris were made by Mr. Emanuel Sciberras, from Qrendi. On August 4, 1978, two golden roses were placed at the feet of the titular statue after being blessed by abbot Fr. Angelo Mifsud O.S.B. These were worked on by Joseph Cassar.[5]
Titular Portrait of Our Lady of Lourdes
editThe titular painting, an exemplary piece by B’Kara artist Ġuzeppi Briffa, was completed in 1959. It depicts a serene scene of the cave where the Madonna of Lourdes appeared, with Our Lady draped in a flowing white gown, while Bernadette gazes upon her. This artwork stands as a testament to Briffa’s innovative integration of modern elements into Maltese church art.[8]
This cherished artwork has recently witnessed a significant cleaning and restoration by PrevArti Ltd - Art Conservation & Restoration. The restoration project was generously sponsored by the San Gwann Local Council. While a new feature was introduced: a halo adorned with nine gold stars, each with a stone at its centre, designed to enhance the painting’s visual impact and celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Our Lady of Lourdes Musical Association. These stars were graciously donated by the association.[8]
The restoration and gift was marked by a significant celebration held on Sunday, May 31, 2022. The event was led by His Excellency Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta[9] with Fr Emanuel Abela OFM Cap., the parish priest at the time, along with Fr Ivan Scicluna OFM Cap., Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Brothers in Malta, with the participation of the Local Capuchin fraternity, Parish Choir, Local Franciscan Sisters, Local Council Mayor and councillors, all three Feast Associations members, esteemed guests and parishioners. This celebration commenced with Solemn Vesper and homily by the Archbishop who afterwards blessed the newly added stars and the painting itself.[8]
Following the blessing, the nine gold stars were positioned with due reverence by the Archbishop, parish priest and provincial minister. For this the painting was temporarily removed from its usual place behind the main altar and positions on the sanctuary with steps infront of it. The next day, the painting was hanged to its original position on the main altar, allowing the San Ġwann parish community and devotees of Our Lady of Lourdes to continue their prayers and veneration in the presence of this enhanced artwork.[8]
This restoration not only revitalised a treasured piece of ecclesiastical art but also reinforces the community's enduring reverence for Our Lady of Lourdes.[8]
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Elevation to Parish Church
editAs the number of residents in the locality increased, there was a growing demand for the area to be established as a parish. The church authorities responded positively to this request on September 12, 1965. Monsignor Michael Gonzi announced in a pastoral letter that the locality, then known as Imsieraħ and now called San Ġwann, would be designated as a new parish under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes. The official inauguration of the parish took place on September 21, 1965, with Friar Leopold Tabone OFM Cap. appointed as the first parish priest.[10]
In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Gonzi outlined the establishment of the new parish:
"We have done everything that, according to the Law of the Church should be done in this case and today, with this Pastoral Letter we declare that from the 21st of September we are in, the church under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes in Msieraħ, it has the name and all the rights of a parish with a territory taken from the parishes of Birkirkara, San Ġiljan and l'Gzira, according to the plan found in Archbishop's Curia... With this same Decree, we entrust this new Parish to the hands of the Minor Capuchin Friars of the Maltese Province and from among them We nominate one as Parish priest of this parish."[10]
List of Parish Priests
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Fr. Leopold Tabone OFM Cap. 1959 - 1983
editFr. Leopold Tabone was appointed as the first parish priest of the new parish. He had arrived in Msieraħ on April 25, 1959, in the role of local superior of the Capuchin community. Upon his arrival, Fr. Leopold focused on completing the church, which, though structurally finished, still required substantial additional work before it could be opened to the public. After addressing the essential needs, the church was officially opened on December 20, 1959. Fr. Leopold served as parish priest for eighteen years until May 1983, when he transitioned to serve in the mission of Garissa, Kenya, managed by the Maltese Capuchin monks.[10]
Fr. Donat Spiteri OFM Cap. 1983 - 1992
editFr. William Axiaq OFM Cap. 1992 - 1995
editFr. Joseph Mallia OFM Cap. 1995 - 2004
editFr. Effie Mallia OFM Cap. 2004 - 2013
editFr. Emmanuel Abela OFM Cap. 2013 - 2022
editFr. Bertrand Vella OFM Cap. 2022 -
edit- ^ "The Franciscan Capuchins (O.F.M. CAP.)". Archdiocese of Malta. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
- ^ a b Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas Press, Żabbar. pp. 35–40.
- ^ a b Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas Press, Żabbar. pp. 41–49.
- ^ "San Ġwann". Parishes - Archdiocese of Malta (in Maltese). Retrieved 2024-07-28.
- ^ a b c d e Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas Press, Żabbar. pp. 61–66.
- ^ a b c Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas Press, Żabbar. pp. 49–51.
- ^ a b c Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas press, Żabbar. pp. 58–61.
- ^ a b c d e "Our Lady". TVMnews.mt. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Liturgical celebrations by Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna in May 2022". Archdiocese of Malta. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ a b c Spiteri OFMCap., Patri Donat (1991). Il-Parroċċa ta' San Ġwann. Veritas Press, Żabbar. pp. 76–81.