With 10 processions in honor the Assumption
of the Blessed Mother yesterday, 10 beautiful statues were carried through the
streets of each respective parish. Among them is the one in the village of
Għaxaq (pronounced Aashaq.) The statue here is the work of Mariano Gerada, and
Mary is presented looking up towards heaven, with her right hand elevated and
the left hand held down on her side. Her elaborate halo makes her stand out
more, with the 12 golden stars surrounding her face. On her right side stands a
small angel with golden wings. Obviously the angel is a boy, presented naked.
The person who took care of the golden guiding that was done a few years ago,
Mr Horace Farrugia, told me a cute story once, when I interviewed him for an article
I wrote about him. He was working in his studio administering the gold leaf to
Mary’s robe. A woman from the parish of Għaxaq showed up with a little girl and
wanted to see the statue in the process of renovation. Horace told me that
previously the angel boy was clothed with some fancy drapery, but they decided
to remove it, leaving the angel completely naked. The parishioners accepted
this change in the long run and were happy with the restored statue, glittering
in gold and resplendent in beauty. However this little girl was so confused
when she saw the angel, and realized that he was different from her. She asked
her grandma why was he different, and grandma had to explain the simple
innocent question which all children discover as they grow up - that boys and
girls are different for a reason. And that reason is so that procreation can
continue to produce human beings, both male and female. Most angels in
paintings are presented as girls, but this one next to Mary is a boy, complete
with his precious jewels displayed for everyone to see, including inquisitive, concerned
and innocent little girls.
Wednesday, 16 August 2023
The naked angel
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