The Chapel at Hilltop Gardens

'The Risen Christ' painting by John Grima

Continuing on my overview of Hilltop Gardens and its quaint chapel, it is a modern place of worship, where I find many hours of comfort and prayer as I prepare my liturgies and celebrate Mass daily. On the sides there are 6 paintings or murals done by a Maltese-Gozitan artist John Grima, and they depict on the right side 1. Creation of the universe and planets, 2. Creation of the animals, and 3. Creation of Adam and Eve. On the left side the murals depict 1. The Nativity, 2. The miracle of the multiplication of 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and 3. The Resurrection of Jesus. The ceiling is blue with cloud formation, and the base of the altar as well as the tabernacle is made of onyx, similar to the flooring. 

The outside of the "Risen Christ" Hilltop Gardens chapel.

There is a balcony or choir loft where the extra people who show up, especially on Christmas and Easter, can stay. Visiting choirs also use the balcony as they embellish our liturgies with their music, and they enjoy looking over the congregation while singing at various parts of the Mass. Many visitors come in at various times and admire the chapel, and they all have a similar comment....”how peaceful and how serene.” The Staff had told me on various occasions that the chapel and the Masses are what mostly attract prospective residents to eventually join Hilltop Gardens. 

'The miracle of the loaves and fishes' by John Grima

I treat it as if it were a regular parish, with the Adoration, Benediction and Rosary on the first Fridays, and Stations of the Cross during Lent. I also introduced the Diocesan Rosary where we offer each Hail Mary to different parishes in Malta and Gozo, besides other Diocesan institutions like the Chancery, Cathedral, Museums, Homes for the Elderly, the handicapped, University and many others. Please do click on each photo to enlarge, especially the paintings.