St Anthony the Abbot (2)

At St Mark's Conventual church, Rabat, there is a statue sculptured in wood, representing St Anthony the Abbot. Some say that it is very old. But it is only 200 years old.

It happened that I was carrying research work at the Cathedral Archives at Mdina to dig up writings about it. The document reads: "In the year 1806, the Confraternity of St Anthony the Abbot founded in the church of the Augustinian Fathers of this district, commissioned a wooden statue and paid from the confraternity to be carried in procession on the feast day of the saint."

It appeared for the first time in the entrance of St Mark's Monastery which was decorated with damask cremisi and torches for the occasion. This happened in the evening of November 9, 1806. It was brought from Zejtun where it was sculptured by Xandru Farrugia. (His house at Zejtun still exists, in Mater Boni Consilii Street). The entrance of the monastery, as well as its façade, were lit for the occasion with multi-coloured oil-lamps.

It was blessed and taken in procession to St Mark's Conventual Church on November 10, 1806. The Confraternity of St Anthony as well as the Augustinian Community took part. The procession was led by an Augustinian Father, assisted by a deacon and subdeacon. A band and fireworks embellished the occasion.

When the procession arrived at the church the Te Deum was sung. Afterwards votive vespers in honour of the saint were held followed by a sermon delivered by a Capuchin priest. The ceremony ended with the blessing of the Holy Eucharist.

The document ends: "Omnibus certior sua quia vidi et audivi, Deo testimonio" (I can certify in front of God what I saw and heard.)