The Maltese flag to Pope Leo

A touching, patriotic and special moment took place this past week when Pope Leo visited a parish of the Sacred Heart in Rome, run by a Maltese priest. As parents were asked to greet the Pope, he went around talking to some of the parishioners, when a young boy offered the Pope a Maltese flag. He was so touched by the gesture, that Pope Leo stopped to speak to the boy and thanked him for the gift of a flag. He might have known which country it belonged to, but he may have also asked the boy, Gianluca Caruana,  which country it represented.  Pope Leo weekly visits various parishes in Rome, because after all, he is the Pastor and the Bishop of Rome. In this parish he encouraged the parishioners to to be a sign of hope and solidarity to those who are hurting for some reason or another.

Marianne Downing – 100!

Marianne with a caricature of her younger years

Another resident at Hilltop Gardens just turned 100 yesterday, and she has quite an interesting story behind her. She was actually born in a Rectory in Regensburg, Germany. No, No, not the daughter of a priest, but since her parents were a lawyer (father) and a doctor (mother,) they had the privilege to live with the local priest. During the war, she was sent to a Labor Camp in Poland, not a concentration camp, but still they had to do a lot of hard work. There she was known as a trouble-maker, but she was a also a heroine when she saved another girl’s life. When this girl was sick, nobody cared for her, and was left to die, until Marianne went into action. She stole a bicycle and pedalled to a hospital, alerting a doctor who came and saved the girl’s life who was suffering from scarlet fever, a contagious disease. Marianne later married her husband John in Berlin and became pregnant rightaway, awaiting the birth of her first baby – but a big surprise, as she delivered twins, Charles and Andrew, to be followed by Rupert a few years later. Later in her life, along with her husband, they did voluntary work in various areas, and traveled even to Papua New Guinea to help indigenous people there. Eventually they moved to Canada where they settled in Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Lastly they moved to Malta where they lived in Mellieħa, until Marianne moved with her son Charles at Hilltop Gardens Retirement Village, where they still live. Happy 100th Birthday Marianne !

St Joseph

Dear Saint Joseph,

Today being your feast day, I thought of writing you a few lines mainly to show my gratitude for all you did for Jesus and Mary, and for us all. Very few people are greater than you are! Because being so close to Jesus and Mary, you are also the most blessed and full of grace. Well, if you weren’t so special and blessed, God would not have trusted you with his two most priceless possessions, marrying Mary, in spite of all the gossiping that was going on before your engagement, and then taking the role of a foster father of Jesus, protecting him, educating him and raising him from infancy to adulthood. You are fairly unknown around the world, but at least at Christmas time your image explodes all around the world with the millions of religious Christmas cards exchanged between families and friends. We read in the Gospels that God always conveyed his messages to you in dreams and during sleep. This doesn’t mean that He wanted you to be passive, as if you didn’t know what was going on. We never see you in dialogue with Mary, or giving your opinion in stressful situations. But you let Mary handle all situations, as she dialogued with the Angel Gabriel, at the wedding at Cana, or when Jesus was lost in the temple - she spoke, and you were silent. You receive the message, and made sure it was worked out and implemented. That was your divine mission and vocation - to be a silent instrument in the hands of God. I bet you enjoyed teaching Jesus the carpenter’s trade and other duties and chores around the house at Nazareth. 

Please Saint Joseph, just as you protected Mary and Jesus, I ask you to protect our church, of which you are its special patron saint. Give us more vocations because we need priests and nuns to continue the work in parishes, schools, orphanages and hospitals. Give us good parents, responsible and loving, ready to sacrifice their lives for their children and families, just as you and Mary did. Please pray for all workers, that they may honestly give their share of labor and be dedicated in their mission, always admiring you as their patron saint, another feast of yours we celebrate on May 1st. Be patient with us, dear St Joseph, because we tend to be hard-headed and spoiled at times. Remind us always to be grateful for all the blessings that you and your Son and wife give us, day by day.

Signed - a friend and an admirer

Passion exhibits

Over the next 3 weeks, various exhibitions will be held all over Malta, representing several scenes from the passion of Christ, which are also featured in the processions which are held on Good Friday, and which I highlighted all of last week in my posts on this blog. These are hand-made statuettes and include also several designs and motifs seen during the Lenten season and Holy Week. Remember that everything is done by hand with incredible imagination and craftsmanship. Please click on each photo to enlarge each image.

Saint Patrick

St. Patrick was of Romano-British origin, and born about the year 389AD. His father, Calpurnius, was a deacon, and Patrick's own full name was probably Patricius Magonus Sucatus. When he was 16, he was captured in Britain by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. During six bleak years spent as a herdsman, he turned with fervor to his faith. Hearing at last in a dream that the ship in which he was to escape was ready, he fled his master and found passage to Britain. There he came near to starvation and suffered a second brief captivity before he was reunited with his family. Thereafter, he became a priest and eventually a bishop. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and probably responsible in part for the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons. In a dream vision it seemed “all the children of Ireland from their mothers’ wombs were stretching out their hands” to him. He understood the vision to be a call to do mission work in pagan Ireland. Despite opposition from those who felt his education had been defective, he was sent to carry out the task. He went to the west and north, where the faith had never been preached, obtained the protection of local kings and made numerous converts. Because of the island’s pagan background, Patrick was emphatic in encouraging widows to remain chaste and young women to consecrate their virginity to Christ. He ordained many priests, divided the country into dioceses, held Church councils, founded several monasteries and continually urged his people to greater holiness in Christ. He suffered much opposition from pagan druids and was criticized in both England and Ireland for the way he conducted his mission.  Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461 and was buried in the vicinity of the future Cathedral town of Down.

Nicole Kidman and her faith

The Australian actress Nicole Kidman received praise from her fans when she said yesterday in a pre-Oscars interview that she went to church before the  glamorous ceremony in the evening. She has always identified herself as a devout Catholic, attending church regularly with her family. When asked why it was important for her to maintain the routine even on a day as significant as the Academy Awards, Kidman explained, ‘it’s what I do every Sunday.’ Several of her fans applauded her for staying grounded even on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights, and choosing to keep a tradition amid the Oscar buzz. Like many attendees, Kidman was expected to appear in several of the major after-parties, but her two teenage daughters aged 17 and 15 will not be joining her. ‘No, its Sunday night. They’re on spring break, but they will just go home, have a bath and go to sleep.’Nicole’s committment to her Catholic faith runs deep, so much so that once she actually considered joining a convent and becoming a nun.  ‘I’m a spiritual person and absolutely believe in God. I loved the idea of being a nun, but I did not choose that path, but I was defintely drawn to it.’

Lebanese priest killed

What had become a symbol of persistence turned into a scene of martyrdom, when a Catholic parish priest was killed in an Israeli strike that hit the border village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. Father Pierre Al Rahi, who had chosen to remain with his parishioners, died alongside the community he refused to abandon. According to local media reports, Hezbollah militants infiltrated the Christian town, turning it into a target for Israeli airstrikes. Residents alerted Father Rahi, who reportedly went to confront them and ask them to leave the village. The strike that killed him occurred around the same time. Pope Leo, who had just visited Lebanon in December 2025, called the Maronite Catholic Priest Killed in Bombing ‘a True Shepherd.’ In Arabic, ‘El Rahi’ means ‘the shepherd,’ Pope Leo said ‘Father Pierre was a true shepherd, who always remained close to his people, with the love and sacrifice of Jesus the Good Shepherd. As soon as he heard that some parishioners had been wounded by a bombing, he rushed to help them without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon.’ In his appeal, Leo also called for prayers for peace in Iran and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children. May our prayer be a comfort to those who suffer and a seed of hope for the future.

Brother Bishops

Bishop Stephen and Bishop Gregory Parkes

Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Bishop Stephen Parkes of Savannah, Georgia, share a rare distinction: they are the 11th pair of biological brother bishops in U.S. Church history. The elder brother Gregory by 14 months, said he followed his brother Stephen into the priesthood a few years after they both graduated from college. The two grew up on Long Island, NY, in a family with three boys, and Stephen said he always believed his older brother would be the priest of the family. “When I was growing up, I wanted to be a physician,” he said. “And I realize now at this point in life, that God wanted me to be a doctor, and I am a doctor of souls.” He entered seminary one year before his older brother. After being ordained, both served as pastors at new parishes in Orlando, Florida, beginning in 2005. Father Stephen was assigned to The Most Precious Blood in Oviedo, Florida, and Father Gregory to Corpus Christi in Celebration, Florida. Now bishops of separate dioceses since Stephen was appointed by Pope Francis in 2020, the two still see each other multiple times throughout the year for retreats, meetings, and conferences.  

Gregory Parkes stands about four inches taller than his younger brother, but the two say they resemble each other in their pastoral leadership. “Our parents, when we were young, as kids, always gave us a very good example of what it means to serve God and to serve his people,” Father Gregory said. “As a family we were always very involved in ministry at our parish.” The boys served as altar servers, both parents served on the parish council, and their mother worked for the parish for a time. The family frequently hosted local priests for dinner or holiday celebrations. The two are the only surviving members of their immediate family, but they look back fondly on their home life as the first stage in their discernment. Their parents, Joan and Ron, passed away in 2000 and 2002 and their oldest brother, Christopher, died in 2017. Bishop Stephen said the memory of his parents still strengthens his vocation.  

Good Friday processions 5

This final post shows several statues taken out in processions all over Malta on Good Friday, and we visit today a few other parishes and admire a select samples that are just as impressive and devotional. The first one is from the parish of Vittoriosa and here all the statues are clothed in velvet and silk, presenting an elegant display of quaint drapery with beautifully sculpted faces and hands and feet. His first one shows the Agony in the Garden.

The second photo is the image of the dying Christ, a miraculous crucifix that is taken out in procession only on special occasions. Revered in a Franciscan church in Valletta, this crucifix was done by the Sicilian friar Innocenzo da Petralia Sottana around 1630. This image usually is taken out combined with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a week before Good Friday.

Next from Luqa parish, we have the ‘Ecce Homo’ (Behold the Man) image of Jesus with hands tied after the flogging, also holding a reed in his hands and robed in red. Then we have the close-up of Jesus the Redeemer, falling under the cross from Paola church. It is a tradition in Maltese processions that this statue is always preceded by a group of buglers, playing a solemn fanfare, most often scouts or bandsmen from the local band club. Lastly, we have a statue of Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross, from the parish of Zejtun. (click on each photo to enlarge)

Good Friday processions 4

We are today in the parish of  Zebbuġ following a long, colorful, and spectacular procession. The first statue shows Christ after the flogging, and eventually being shown by Pontius Pilate to the people with the words ‘Ecce Homo,’ (Behold the Man,) while the second statue shows Jesus meeting Veronica, leaving an imprint of his bloody face on a cloth she offered to wipe his face. The next photo shows a variety of Biblical characters parading solemnly through the streets of the local town. Then we see Roman soldiers on their horses, and even a chariot led by 2 horses. The last photo is the statue of Jesus in one of the scenes as he continues his road to Calvary embracing his cross. Tomorrow we’ll end this 5-day series by seeing some other statues from various other parishes which hold this procession on Good Friday.

 

Click on each photo to enlarge

Good Friday processions 3

We are now in Rabat with 4 photos worth describing. The first one shows 3 soldiers around Jesus as He arrives on Golgotha and is being prepared to be stripped of His garments and ready to be nailed to the cross. 

The second photo shows the contrast between gentleness and harshness. The gentle attitude is seen in the two children carrying various symbols of the passion, while the harshness is seen in the two soldiers, one of whom with a whip in his hands, after he had finished whipping Jesus when He was tied to the pillar at the flogging. The other Roman soldier is quite impressive in his proud and demanding posture. Most of these soldiers create their armor themselves and keep it at home, polishing it and ready to shown off during this annual procession. 

The 3rd photo is quite impressive as the man is carrying a huge cross in a belt, with another assistant ready to relieve him from time to time, as they alternate the weight of that huge cross, balancing it and making sure it doesn’t top over the crowd. The last photo is the crucifixion of Jesus with the three main characters next to the cross, John the apostle, Mary Magdalene and the Blessed Mother.

Good Friday processions 2

Today we visit the procession held in Naxxar parish, the same parish where I serve, highlighting two statues which appear towards the end of the Good Friday procession. The first photo shows a very elaborate crucifix with various symbols connected to the passion of Christ. As you observe this relic, see how many symbols you can recognize. 

The second photo shows the burial of Christ, a very ornate statue which in Mata is usually referred to as ‘The Monument,’ showing the body of Christ as he was laid in the tomb, awaiting his resurrection. The third photo shows Our Lady of Sorrows, which is always carried last in all Good Friday processions. This statue has also another two processions, one of which is held a week earlier, on the Friday before Good Friday, a holy day which everybody respects by fasting, prayers and confession. Another procession with Our Lady of Sorrows may be held on September 15, the liturgical feast of the Pieta’.

Good Friday processions 1

All this week I will be sharing with my blog visitors various scenes from the processions which are held on Good Friday in various parishes in Malta and Gozo. These first ones are from the Mosta procession, showing the statue of the betrayal of Judas, a group of Roman soldiers dressed in their typical armor, and an anonymous devotee with chains tied to his ankles, as he walks the length of the entire procession in bare feet with heavy chains which he will drag along as a form of penance. There are various characters taking part in the procession, most of whom related to some Biblical figure connected to the last few days of Our Lord during his Passion and Death.

The gift of water

Seeing Jesus in today’s Gospel asking a Samaritan woman for water shows his humanity, yet His divinity shines through in this beautiful conversation between the two of them. He offers her special water that needs no replenishing. Whoever drinks of His water will never thirst.  We ask today for this special water that nourishes and cleanses at the same time. Water can also be destructive as happens during a flood, but it also destroys original sin when a baby is baptized. We appreciate the gift of Holy Water that is used so often for blessings of everyday objects. The Samaritan woman could have reacted with fear. Yet she responded with courage, and brought the entire village to meet Jesus, who decided to stay with them for 2 days. So we thank you Lord today for this gift, and may we always feel nourished by Your life-giving water, and respond to your invitation with courage and gratitude. May we pray for those who face so much destruction by floods and heavy rain, mudslides and snow that melts suddenly on a warmer-than-usual March day.

Orvieto Crucifixion

There are many impressive depictions of the crucifixion of Jesus. As I was reviewing my talk about ‘Crucifixion in Art’ which I will be presenting in a week, I ended up fascinated by this bass-relief from the Cathedral Duomo of Orvieto in Italy. It dates 1301, and shows a sculpture showing 4 scenes from Christ’s last moments. You can see, starting from the bottom right hand corner, going clockwise: the betrayal of Judas, the entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday,  the flogging at the pillar and the crucifixion itself. 

4 angels surround these 4 panels. These scenes are located on the façade of the main Cathedral, on both sides of the main door. There are other scenes from the Bible, but these 4 deal specifically with the Passion of Christ. (Click on each photo to enlarge)

A lesson from the Redwoods

In Northern California, there are certain trees known as the Redwoods, which are very tall. They grow as much as 300 feet, which is 92 meters. What is strange about these massive trees is that their roots are very short, and they say close to the surface, so that they can absorb of the humidity and moisture from the surface, rain, dew, snow, etc. Now one may think that they are very vulnerable to high winds and storms that may topple them and see them collapse. But this can never happen because since there are many trees close to each other, their roots get entwined with each other, and so they strengthen one another. This is a great lesson for us Christians, as families, in our churches, in society in general, where we can support one another when we can stay close to each other, especially when we are struggling with the storms of our lives. The help we give to each other helps us to stay grounded and powerful. The fact that we are not alone, but someone is always close to us, helps us remain durable, reliable and forever strong. The photo is one I took in the summer of 2009 when I passed through the area of Northern California and meandered through a forest of redwood trees.

Prayer for Peace

O God we pray for this broken world. We pray for peace and hope to return to our troubled world. People are affected everywhere by natural disasters, conflict, wars, division, poverty and sicknesses. But this current war seems to be affecting many unfortunate countries who never expected to be involved so unexpectedly. Help us to turn to you as our source of hope and strength. Merciful Lord, we ask your Spirit to intervene and bring reconciliation, healing and peace, to all those who are affected and afflicted. Make the leaders of nations involed in this ruthless conflict to search for a civil way to agree on a much-desired truce and cessation of the use of all modern armaments, including long-range and short-range missiles as well as drones. Help us Lord, we need You close to us.

La Encarnacion

The Cathedral of La Encarnacion in Malaga, Spain is considered one of the most valuable Renaissance jewels of Andalusia. It stands within the boundaries of the now-vanished Arab wall, on the site of the original main mosque, the place where the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered the construction of a Christian temple just days after conquering the city in 1487. Its construction began in 1528 and was completed in 1782. These photos show various religious exhibits displayed during Lent and Holy Week in the cathedral, photos taken last year. Encarnacion means Incarnation. Please click on each photo to see a larger image.

  

Praying for Peace

Pope Leo XIV yesterday delivered a heart-felt message from the balcony at the Vatican. His message is for the entire world to pause and reflect on the damage being done with the terrible fighting and bombardment going on in the Middle East.  The pontiff warned that continued violence risks plunging the Middle East into an 'irreparable abyss'. He urged leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to abandon threats and arms in favour of diplomacy and dialogue. Pope Leo XIV emphasised that true stability stems from sincere negotiation, not military force. He called on the international community to assume its moral responsibility to prevent further bloodshed and promote peaceful coexistence.

Transfiguration

Raphael's depiction of 'Transfiguration.'

The Gospel reading on this second Sunday of Lent is always the story of the Transfiguration, an event that is also celebrated on August 6th every year. We see Jesus on Mount Tabor with Moses and Elijah as his clothes become dazzlingly white and this inspires St Peter to suggest that Jesus will let him build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Jesus hints that there is much work to be done, and rather than hanging out together on the mountain, they had to go back to continue the work still waiting for them. This also reflects on our attitude when we feel happy and relaxed – we hope it will stay like that forever. But we know that reality is much different, as there is always work for us to accomplish. Prayer is good and beneficial, but we also have to roll up our sleeves once in a while and work with others to bring peace and harmony. This masterpiece was painted in 1520 and is presently at the Pinacoteca Vaticana, at Vatican City.