Draped in Black

Some of the Maltese Baroque churches have a haunting and mystical way of decorating the inside with black tapestry during Lent. They stay until Good Friday, but the amount of work it takes to hang these small pieces of black cloth is enormous, as I’ve seen for myself in the church where I regularly celebrate Mass, the parish of Naxxar, dedicated to Our Lady of Victory. The main sacristan Godwin gets a little help from his friends, but there is still a lot of coordination taking place, climbing ladders, using an electric fork-lifter, and stretching to hang all the passion-related items. 

These two photos give you just a little idea of what the church looks like at this time of the year. Between the arches, the 9 statues that are part of the Good Friday procession are displayed for the congregation's admiration and reverence. There are probably another 3 churches who still have this custom of draping the walls in black.

More Passion Stamps

I share with you a few more stamps related to the passion of Christ, specifically those coming from small countries, but presenting beautiful and meaningful stamps nonetheless. We go today to Oman, Burundi and Niger. Throughout history, the small countries have always issued beautiful stamps, as was the case also in Malta, with a long heritage of historic stamps, particularly those issued in the 60s, 70s and 80s, designed by Emvin Cremona. 

Click on each stamp to enlarge

These specific stamps represent the Deposition of Jesus (Niger), the Agony in the Garden (Oman) and the Resurrection (Burundi.)

Greeting

A bus driver in an English town one day called the people to attention because he had an important announcement to make. All the passengers abandoned their mobile phones, or newspapers or books they were reading, and were attentive for the bus driver’s message. When he heard complete silence, he stopped the bus and told them ‘Kindly say Hello to the person sitting next to you, introduce yourselves to each other, and you will all see that you will have a wonderful day.’ There were smiles, and handshakes, and even a few hugs, as nobody expected such an announcement. Everyone was so happy, and within a few minutes there as a huge applause to the bus driver, who within a few minutes had changed everybody’s mood. Now let’s try to greet strangers with a simple Hello, even if we don’t know them. Even when you go to church, try to say Hello discretely to the person sitting in the same pew next to you. Then the sign of peace will be very meaningful for both of you and all those around you.

Miniature Passion statues

From now until Easter scores of exhibitions will be held all over Malta displaying miniature statues created on the original life-size statues that will be carried in processions on Good Friday. These were done by various crafty enthusiasts who are increasing every year, and passionately present the passion of Christ through these small figurines, some of them complete with real clothing, the bases on which these statues stand and other decorations that beautify the entire exhibition, attended by hundreds of people. Most of these statuettes are hand made and are the pride and joy of these craftsmen. More to come over the next 2 weeks.

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.