The naked angel

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.