Lenten and Easter Food

                  
I think it would be fitting to include a note on seasonal food which is associated with Lent and Easter. The one item that is very popular during Holy Week is the large loaf of fresh and crunchy bread made in the shape of a circle or donut, which is customarily given to the 12 apostles chosen to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday. They are also sold in large quantities in stores and bakeries. They are enhanced by sesame seeds and almonds, as you can see from the photo above. Another popular item is known as kwarezimal, popular during Lent, made from ground almonds, orange blossom, and mixed spices which are then glazed with honey and topped with even more crushed almonds. 

Kwarezimal

The most popular Easter treat is the figolla, made from pastry stuffed with almond paste and then covered with icing, although chocolate is also being used recently. These figolli are shaped in various forms, bunnies, ducks, hearts, baskets, boys and girls, bears and anything the baker thinks of. They are usually topped with an Easter egg. Bon appétit!

Some of the figolli my parents used to make.

Last Supper Display

                 
A fascinating display of the Last Supper table is usually set up in an Oratory of the Dominican church in Valletta. Because of Covid-19, last year and this year it wasn’t set up, but I have photos from 2017, when this amazing table was exhibited during Holy Week. It features a spectacular display of plates showing themes from the Last Supper relating to the apostles and Jesus, made from rice, salt, semolina, beans, pasta and other kinds of edible stuff. Nothing is wasted and after the exhibit is disbanded, all the food goes to orphanages and different nursing homes. Admire the intricate work involved in creating these masterpieces that last one week, but their memory last forever, thanks to photography.

Holy Week stamps

                       
Holy Week has always been an inspiration for philatelists, both those who designs stamps, and countries who support religious themes, as well as collectors who collect stamps to add to their albums. So many unknown and lesser-known nations issue beautiful stamps with a religious theme, as you can see from these few images.  The first one is the Crucifixion by Mathias von Grunewald from Cameroon, the second one is the Cimabue crucifixion from the republic of San Marino, and the third one a collage of crucifixions from Ajman. As we enter Holy Week, we pray that many people can follow the celebrations, if not in their churches, at least virtually as they are doing in Malta. This is the second year in a row that people are being denied participating in the Holy Triduum, the holiest of weeks. But we all continue to do our best.

Palm Sunday

It’s a different Palm Sunday celebration this year with many churches still not fully operational, and especially in Malta with a total lockdown and churches closed to people, unless they can watch proceedings from TV Masses which are shown frequently from many churches. My many happy memories of Palm Sunday before 2016 recalls the presence of donkeys in my 3 parishes I served in Oregon.  The donkey carried Jesus on his back as he enters triumphantly in Jerusalem, eventually for the Passover meal and his trial, passion and death. As some people chanted ‘Hosanna, Hosanna,’ another section of the crowd would shout ‘Crucify Him, Crucify Him!’ in a few days. Let us prepare ourselves for this Holy Week by welcoming Him into our hearts and homes. Even though we are asked to keep social distancing among ourselves, we can make an exception to Jesus, and greet Him cordially as our special Guest at every meal we share, and as our silent Listener to each conversation we are involved in. May He bring peace and harmony and peace within our families, may He instil a sense of prayerfulness in our daily lives, and may He be a true inspiration to get to know Him more clearly, to follow Him more nearly and to love Him ever more dearly. Hosanna to our King.

The Pope’s Crucifix

Pope Francis praying in front of the crucifix in St. Marcellus church.

On the famous Via del Corso, known for being one of the busiest streets for shopping in Rome, is the church of Saint Marcellus, which holds a venerated and miraculous image of Christ crucified. The church of Saint Marcellus was first built in the 4th century, sponsored by Pope Marcellus I, who was later persecuted by the Roman emperor Maxentius and condemned to do the heaviest work until he died from exhaustion. His remains are kept in the church. On the night between May 22 and 23, 1519, the church was ravaged by a terrible fire that reduced it completely to ashes. At dawn, the desolated people came to see the tragic scene of still-smoking debris. There, they found the crucifix which had been hanging over the main altar, providentially intact, illuminated by the oil lamp, which still burned at the image’s feet. They immediately shouted that it was a miracle, and the most devout members of the faithful began to gather every Friday to pray and light lamps at the foot of the wooden image. Thus was born the “Archconfraternity of the Holy Crucifix in Urbe,” which exists even to this day. However, this was not the only miracle that happened in connection to the crucifix. The next one dates to three years later, in 1522, when a terrible plague struck the city of Rome so severely that it was feared the city would simply cease to exist.

The miraculous crucifix at St. Marcellus church in Rome.

In desperation, the friars of the Servants of Mary decided to carry the crucifix in a penitential procession from the church of St. Marcellus, eventually arriving to St. Peter’s Basilica. The authorities tried to prevent the religious procession, but the people in their collective desperation ignored the prohibition. The image of Our Lord was carried through the streets of the city for several days by popular acclamation. When the crucifix returned to its place, the plague stopped completely, and Rome was saved from being exterminated. Since 1650, the miraculous crucifix has been carried to St. Peter’s Basilica during each holy year. Pope Francis also prayed before the Holy Crucifix on March 15, 2020, asking for an end to the scourge of the coronavirus that has taken so many lives around the world. That image was moved to St. Peter’s and it was present for the historical ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing that Francis gave a year ago in St. Peter’s square, on March 27, 2020.

Our Lady of Sorrows

My childhood church on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

I wrote this prayer as a meditation on this solemn day dedicated to our Sorrowful Mother, with the special devotion directed towards her especially in the Maltese Islands:

            O Mother of Sorrows, we witnessed you crying under the Cross, seeing your Son taking his last breath. The same breath you gave Him 33 years earlier when you gave birth to Him in the stable of Bethlehem. Then they brought down his lifeless body and placed it on your lap. Who knows how many times as a toddler, you welcomed Him on your lap, to nurse Him, to calm Him, to nurture Him, to put Him to sleep. But now he was much different, bloody, tortured and without any life.

           And now you prepare to give Him back to whoever gave Him to you from Heaven. What can I ask of you dear Mother in this moment of so much sorrow, anguish and pain? I cry with you, with Mary Magdalene and with John, the beloved apostle. Give me one drop of His precious blood so that I can be saved. Give me one drop of your tears to feel satiated. Give me one breath coming from His heart. Give me your hands so that we can walk together and find consolation in each other.

            Now I pray with the same courage that you showed on the way of the Cross and on Golgotha, fill us with that sacred courage we so desperately need nowadays. Help us on our own journey, during which we have none of the sorrows which you experienced. We had none of the thorns that were forced into your Son’s head, and none of the troubles and problems you faced. But we ask you nonetheless for your help in facing our own trials and tribulations. And walk with us through the alleys, the streets and hills we face each day. Today we cry with you dear Mother Mary, stay close to us, to dry the tears from our eyes. We cry with you today, not because we feel sorry for you, but because we know that only you can console us.

Help us to overcome the trial we are experiencing right now as a nation, as a world in distress because of the pandemic. Just as you consoled your Son and so many others, console the families of those who have lost loved ones over the past 13 months. Help us to see the end of coronavirus and may we see our lives return to normalcy. 

The Annunciation

The Annunciation by Emvin Cremona

The Annunciation has been one of the most frequent subjects of Christian art. Depictions of the Annunciation go back to early Christianity, with the Priscilla catacomb including the oldest known fresco of the Annunciation, dating to the 4th century. It has been a favorite artistic subject in both the Christian East and as Roman Catholic Marian art, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and figures in the repertoire of almost all of the great masters. The figures of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel, being emblematic of purity and grace, were favorite subjects of Roman Catholic Marian art, where the scene is also used to represent the perpetual virginity of Mary via the announcement by the angel Gabriel that Mary would conceive a child to be born the Son of God. A few churches in Malta are also dedicated to the Annunciation of Mary, and I share with you one of the most beautiful paintings by my favorite Maltese artist, Emvin Cremona. This is the main altarpiece in the church of the Annunciation, also known as the church of St. Dominic in Vittoriosa.

Holy Week Exhibits – part 4

This is a typical Good Friday procession in miniature. It was displayed 2 years ago, complete with all the statues and people taking part in the devotional procession. One can admire the detail in each piece, as well as the background, a typical Maltese street, complete with traditional balconies, doors, lamp posts, windows, etc. The figurines are 2 inches high and the entire display was set up in a large room, spread out around the corners and sides of the hall. Next week we will see the actual procession in photos I took two years ago. (click on each photo to enlarge)

Holy Week Exhibits – part 3

These are more modern artefacts done by young people and displayed over the past few years. It is truly edifying seeing young people showing and sharing their faith through their inventive artwork and creative imagination.

Holy Week Exhibits – part 2

More exhibits from Malta, everything in miniature. Many of these items are hand-crafted by young enthusiasts who dedicate so much of their time in creating religious items to be displayed. These photos show an entire church in miniature, created in a simple garage, maybe 15 feet by 40 feet, but shows the altars spread around with the various statues which are part of the Good Friday procession, which will not be held again this year. But more pictures from these processions will be featured here over the next few days in this blog. (click on each photo to enlarge)

Holy Week Exhibits - part 1

                     

Once again, the much-anticipated exhibitions of Holy Week with statues, miniature churches, altars of repose and so much more, will be postponed this year because of Covid-19. So many young craftsmen and enthusiasts look forward to this time of the year, but like last year, all activities where people congregate are not allowed this year. Nonetheless, over the next few days, I will share with you some photos from past exhibits to enter the spirit of Lent and Holy Week.

Miniature statues representing scenes from the Passion.

Plates and plaques made from rice, salt and semolina.

My favorite painting

                   

One of the paintings that struck me the very first moment I saw it is the 'Triptych of the Holy Rosary' by Hans Suess Von Kulmbach (1510,) which is treasured in the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, Madrid. The two side panels show the Presentation of Mary, with St. Joachim and St. Anne at the bottom of the steps, while the other one shows Mary’s parents in a loving embrace. The center and more prominent panel is very descriptive, and shows the Crucifixion encircled within the Rosary beads, each Hail Mary symbolized by a rose flower. The 5 Our Fathers are symbolized by 5 crosses, also symbolic of the 5 wounds of Christ. A scene from hell is shown in the bottom, with two angels above and two others below, one of whom is seen saving a baby and the other holding scales in his hands.

The 4 layers of saints are described as follows, from top, left to right:
1. With God the Father and the Holy Spirit are seen Mary and a variety of angels.
2. Melchizedek, David, Moses, John the Baptist - Peter, Mark, Paul and Luke.
3. Lawrence, George, Erasmus, Stephen, Holy Innocent baby - Gregory, Jerome, Nicholas, Charlemagne.
4. Clare, Agnes, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria - Anne, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Helen.

A letter to St. Joseph

A statue of St Joseph by Maltese artist Emvin Cremona

Dear St Joseph,

    Today being your feast day, I thought of writing you a few lines mainly to show my gratitude to you for all you did for Jesus and Mary his mother. Very few people are greater than you, because who was ever closer to Mary and Jesus than you. You married Mary even though many people were suspicious of you, and you were patient enough to raise Jesus from his birth to the day you died, and left him as an orphan and his mother as a widow.

Joseph, you showed your greatness by your humility. By being humble and quiet and staying always in the background, your image shone forth majestically and we admire the simple life you led, and your courage in taking Mary as your wife, in spite of the gossip that was going on from other people.

I can only imagine how special and happy was that house in Nazareth, raising Jesus as a baby, a toddler, a young boy and as a teenager. A few questions come to mind:

-    Was he obedient to you and his mother? Did he go to sleep on time? Did he get up on time? Did he say his prayers? Did he obey at home? Did he have any sleepovers? Did he have any girlfriends? Did his friends know how special he was? It hurts me to read that the people of Nazareth threw stones at him when he visited them years later!

-     Did he play any tricks on you and Mary? Since he was an only boy, he couldn’t blame his brothers and sisters if something went missing, if something broke. Did he always do his chores? Did he go to school, which were probably different from our schools? Did he do his homework?

                        

  Dear St Joseph, we admire your kindness in dealing with other people. When a stressful situation appeared, you always let Mary handle it, like when Jesus was lost in the temple for 3 days, or like the wedding at Cana, when they ran out of wine. You always stayed in the background, and this also shows that you were respectful of others and avoided any quarrels and conflicts.

     I ask you finally St Joseph to keep our families in your prayers. Just as you protected your family from Herod, from harm and from those who hated you, your wife and your Son, please protect our families and children from danger. I beg you also, please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We need more priests and sisters to work in our parishes, schools, hospitals and other places. And I ask you also to remember those who work, those looking for work, especially husbands and fathers who lost their jobs. And finally help us to overcome the present plague we are facing as a nation, as a world in turmoil and with so much uncertainty ahead of us.

 

Signed – your friends in Malta

Spiderweb

Once in a while I come across something that nobody else can see. Hundreds of people pass by an object and ignore it, and don't even see it. Then I observe it, spray some water, and within a few seconds, you see one of nature's marvellous miracles - a spiderweb, highlighted even more dramatically by the tiny droplets formed by the spray of water. Enjoy this photo, and click on it to enlarge it.

St Patrick – Irish Blessings

                      
      One of his famous quotes credited to St. Patrick is called the Breastplate of St. Patrick:

“Christ shield me this day:
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me”

And as the world turns green today, here are some Irish blessings which should cheer you up.

May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,
May the sun's rays from the Irish sky warm your face,
May the children's bright smiles warm your heart,
May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
May God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
And may you be in heaven
Half an hour before the devil knows you’re gone!

Advice from parents

A local magazine entitled ‘Sunday Circle’ recently interviewed a few parents and asked them what advice they would give their children as they are growing up. I chose the best advices, listed here in no particular order:

1.      Don’t ever change what is good in you just because society or someone else doesn’t like it.

2.      Be good and respectful to others, even if they hurt you, or make your life difficult , or even if you don’t agree with their opinion.

3.      Please do listen, not just hear, what others have to say to you.

4.      Whenever you’re going through a rough time, the best way to get through it is to learn from it.

5.      Always stand up for what you believe and do not judge others so quickly.

6.      Be kind to others. Kindness is always repaid – maybe not immediately, but always in the long run.

7.      Be a humble and caring person. In our selfie-obsessed culture, life may seem like a popularity contest, but know that you are more valuable then the number of 'likes' you get. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

8.      Be proud of who you are, respect others and your environment - and chase your dreams.

9.      Be in touch with your strengths and  and use them creatively.

10 . Try to regulate turbulent emotions and connect with persons who really love you, so as to build the ability to bounce back from adversity.

11 . Show integrity in everything you do, and be compassionate towards others.

12 .  Accept constructive criticism. Be assertive – because your ideas, your opinions and contributions matter. Say sorry when necessary and mean it. Be grateful for the people close to you and for all your blessings.

The Ides of March

Vincenzo Camuccini - The death of Julius Caesar

The Ides of March is the 74th day in the Roman calendar, corresponding to March 15. It was marked by several religious observances and was notable for the Romans as a deadline for settling debts. The Ides began a ‘holy week’ of festivals celebrating Cybele and Attis. Attis was born and found among the reeds of a Phrygian river. He was discovered by the goddess Cybele, who was also known as the Magna Mater (Great Mother.) A week later, on March 22, the solemn commemoration of Arbor intrat ("The Tree enters") commemorated the death of Attis under a pine tree. The day was formalized as part of the official Roman calendar under Claudius (d. 54 AD). A three-day period of mourning followed, culminating with celebrating the rebirth of Attis on 25 March, the date of the vernal equinox on the Julian calendar. In modern times, the Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar was stabbed to death at a meeting of the Senate. As many as 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, were involved. We often say to each other when something negative or dangerous is about to happen....'Beware the Ides of March....' Hopefully nothing bad will happen, although someone must have said this a year ago, as the Covid-19 pandemic was just starting to engulf the entire globe.

Being a Light to others

There are many ways in which you can encourage someone who is sad or disheartened. A phone-call, an e-mail, a letter, a card, a text message - they're all ways by which we can uplift someone's spirit. There are even extraordinary situations when a person is desperate and is nearing the end, even through self-harm or suicide. And something happens that saved that life in the last minute. Listen to this true story that happened in the USA. I shared this incredible story in my homily today, mostly in a virtual way, since because of a Covid-19 surge in cases,  once again people cannot attend churches for a while.

One of the many small churches and denominations in the USA is called ‘Almighty God church’ (remember the name because it’s important.) It was a Christian church of which there are many in America. So the pastor of this church one evening called his wife to tell her he was being delayed and will arrive home late. But his wife never answered the phone. He waited half an hour, and called again, and she answered right away. When he asked why she didn’t reply earlier, she said the phone never rang. No problem, the story ended there.

Two days later, the pastor was at his office, and a young man called him, and asked him why did he call him on Saturday night. The pastor was confused, but then he remembered the first phone call he did to his wife, and apologized deeply for the wrong number he had called. But the young man said: ‘no, no there’s nothing to apologize for. Let me tell you my story. I am going through some tough times, and last Saturday night, I decided to commit suicide. And I remember praying ‘Lord, if you are there, show me a sign that you still love me.’ And at that particular moment the phone rang, and on the caller ID I saw written Almighty God  (the word church didn’t fit.)’ It was obviously the name of the church. And this young man thanked the pastor, because at that time he realized that God still loves him. And the wrong phone call he received by mistake, saved his life.

Being Positive

Life is not fair, but it’s beautiful.

When in doubt, take a few steps at a time.

Life is too short not to enjoy it.

Your work will not take care of you when you feel sick. Your family and your friends will do this.

Don’t buy things that you don’t need, and will probably never use.

Save for things that are truly essential.

Never compare yourself with others.

Everything can change in a split second.

When you feel burdened with too much  to accomplish, take a deep breath.

Get rid of the stuff and junk you’ve accumulated over the years.

Whatever does not kill you, will surely make you stronger.

It’s never too late to be happy. But this is ultimately your choice.

Don’t be too much concerned about what others may think about you.

Time heals everything.

Any situation, however ugly or beautiful, will eventually pass away and will change.

Don't take things too seriously.

Believe in miracles.

If we were to remove our problems from our lives, and look at the problems which other people have to worry about, I am sure we will choose our own problems again.

The best is yet to come.

Life is not presented to us in a wrapped parcel with bows and ribbons – but nonetheless it is a gift!

The earliest Crucifixion image

                 

This is one of the earliest known depictions of the Crucifixion in Christian art. It was made in Rome about AD 420-30, at a time when the Roman empire in Western Europe was fragmenting. The panel is one of four, originally mounted on the sides of a small ivory casket, each carved with a scene from Christ’s Passion. This panel is exhibited at the British Museum in London. In this image the Crucifixion is combined with another scene of death: the suicide of the disciple Judas after he has betrayed Jesus. The stiff, clothed body of Judas pulls down the branch of a tree, and a spilled sack of coins lies at his feet. In contrast the exposed limbs of Christ still appear vigorous, and he gazes at the viewer, triumphant in death. A plaque over Christ’s head is inscribed REX IUD (King of the Jews). The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist stand to the left of the cross, while on the right Longinus steps from beneath the arm of the cross, just before he pierces Jesus’ side with a lance.

Crucifix exhibition

                     
Two years ago I was able to visit an exhibition of various crucifixes set up in  private home in Għaxaq, Malta. There must have been at least 200 different crucifixes hanging on walls or standing on appropriate stands. Some were made of wood, others of metal, ceramic, ivory, yet others of mother-of-pearl. The whole display offers a very devout meditation on the crucifixion and the passion of Christ. These 4 photos show only a section of this display, but it can help you as a meditation on the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Nun defies soldiers

                 
Kneeling before them in the dust of a northern Myanmar city, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng begged a group of heavily armed police officers to spare “the children” and take her life instead. The image of the Catholic nun in a simple white habit, her hands spread, pleading with the forces of the country’s new junta as they prepared to crack down on a protest, has won her praise in the majority-Buddhist country. “I knelt down … begging them not to shoot and torture the children, but to shoot me and kill me instead,” she said on Tuesday. Her act of bravery in the city of Myitkyina on Monday came as Myanmar struggles with the chaotic aftermath of the military’s overthrow of the civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, which started on February 1. As protests demanding the return of democracy have rolled on, the junta has steadily escalated its use of force, using teargas, water cannon, rubber bullets and live rounds. As police started massing around them, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng and two other nuns pleaded with them to leave. “The police were chasing to arrest them and I was worried for the children,” she said.  It was at that point that the 45-year-old nun fell to her knees. Moments later, as she was begging for restraint, the police started firing into the crowd of protesters behind her.

Monday was not Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng’s first encounter with the security forces – on  February 28, she made a similar plea for mercy, walking slowly towards police in riot gear, getting on her knees and pleading for them to stop. “I have thought myself dead already since February 28,” she said of the day she made the decision to stand up to the armed police. On Monday, she was joined by her fellow sisters and the local bishop, who surrounded her as she pleaded for mercy for the protesters. They stood by her to protect her and our people because she had her life at risk. Let us pray for an end to this struggle of power against common sense and the safety of the innocent people and children of Myanmar. (photos from the UK newspaper 'The Guardian.')