UPDATED: St Helen's cross repaired

thats what we are trying to do Mr Schembri, but we do not wish toleave our contact here

@ John, i be away now be back after the 14 th Sept. have great week ;)

@ aldo

sorry darling!!!! was away for a lovely day trip to sicily so I could not see your messages.

yes I agree with mr Schembri give me a hotmail address and I will write you back

OMG - why don't you two guys just exchange hotmail email addresses ?? You make it look like an online dating service.

@ John

how about qawra palace hotel this sometime afternoon ?

@John

lets say today Saturday we meet in qawra next to qawra palace hotel at what time ?
during the day though evening i am busy ;)

@ aldo

I would love to how are we to make contact ? contact here is for all to see

@ John

its seems that its only us alone in here and we took over he he
shall we meet for a coffee some time ;) ?

@John
I don`t like the word Religion to be honest with you, so lets put it this way, we are Christians in Maltese `Insara` we follow Jesus Christ` through the Holy Bible, Christians are the first people of Christ. We do not have any human rules, like other religions ex Roman Catholics Anglican church etc, and pretend that these rules are inspired by the Holy Spirit, we don`t have (Idolatry)statues,Gold Silver or any riches in our churches we know what is in the Bible is correct and you don`t need to be a rocket scientists to prove it`s true, and we do not add or subtract any other rules simply cause the word of God states so in Rev.22:18-19 ... Mind you i was born and raised as a R.Catholic and when i started growing up i could see that there is no connection between RCC and God of Love in so many ways, going against the word of GOD !!

@aldo
May I ask as to what your religion might be since you are referring to " we"? I have a notion, but I do not dare make any assumptions. Please enlighten me. What denomination do you form part of?

@ John
Sorry mate but the man made idea of i find it in you, you created your own religion of self righteousness, so that you can live comfortable, same as the RCC did ? yes of coarse invented purgatory to make MILLIONS of money off the Living and off the DEAD! removed the 2nd commandment that of the IDOLATRY WHY ? cause she committed Idolatry herself ! unlike you John as we believe in God that created us, we kept on looking for the truth, cause we have FAITH, and the Faith is in Jesus Christ Alone coming from the Bible so YES Christianity followers of Christ.Where will find so many RC followers in Malta that left the untrue church to be followers of Christ alone. There are so many Positive things about GOD he sent his only Son Jesus Christ to start with to save us from all the sins Past Present & Future and so we can be saved if we believe, amongst so so man other positive things about God to long list to write them here. Keep searching John never give up ! Don`t into the trap of self righteousness like I was.

@aldo

do not put words in my mouth. I did not say you have a mental illness. I meant your mental situation as in your ideas, opinions. It has to be a mental situation. Should i clarify my english?? then you will accuse me of calling you illeterate! I repeat if you want to be happy do not adopt that sick american thrash. That is not God. God did not creat anything to cause a disaster. That is a man made idea of God. So delete from your head those ideas. Anything negative is not from God. I can name a few calculator type religions here but i do not wish to start a war of words here. I dislike your idea of God and his punishments. Man is punished by himself . So say something positive for a change about God and stop thinking about catastrophies and american thrash about God.

@john
yes I can see your type of God in fact, i met a lot them like you, calling me names saying that i have mental illness, un clever, weak what else ?
name me one thing in it which is not true and does not fit the scriptures !

@aldo

I really feel sorry for you and now I know why you are in that mental situation and state. When you take that link you gave me , it only takes a weak mind or a simple person to be petrified. That link does not frighten me. Only Evil humans do. If you are really clever and scrutinise the intention behind that link and can actually reason by logic its intent you will be disgusted as much as I was. Do not give out links like that to people like me. They will only pity your weakness and your lack of knowledge of God. If anyone attributes that type of info you gave to our God he certainly deserves everlasting damnation because it is a direct denial of the truth. I acknowledge that humans have done a lot of damage , but to come to those type of conclusions, check the scource and the intentions behind it. God is not into those things cleanse your mind , sit and think, stop that poison which is running through your veins and wake up to a simple life free from fanatic ideas. Our God is the God of nature of love

There are many things where I agree with you, but you must understand that logic is not easy for everyone, and unfortunately not everyone will be pleased with these ideas which are through reason correct. Do not attack the RCC church, you have undertaken a hopeless task. All you can do is discuss and teach. But remove all the fanaticism coming from the bible. God is not a calculator. God doesnt need praise God has created this Cosmos to operate peacefully without human disruption and misleadings. There is only one truth and that is Love . If one needs to discuss Gods perfection we discover how wrongly we have been mislead. God does not need praise , we should acknowledge and say thanks, but we are not going to turn our God into some jealous emperor who is constantly flattered by telling him how great he is. God is omnipresent in our hearts and minds. God s plan is harmony in his creation. Man has disrupted this harmony and to make matters worse has create gods in his (human) image.

@john
But also I must add that if you believe in God you can`t just start to create your own religion like the RCC and many others do, how can anyone say that God does not like to be worshiped, worshiping a saint is ok ? running around in the streets of your town with a statues made of paper covered in gold and jewels ain`t that worshiping ? so if we do it to only God that gave us life and he asked us for is that a bad thing ? he is not asking us to be walk on fire, just to praise Him in everything we do, he also did not ask for these churches we have full of riches, he is asking for us to be his churches, if we except him in our heart he will live in us and so instantly we are his church that he lives in, How can anyone that love Jesus even come to believe that Jesus Christ lives in a LOCKED up box inside the church ?
check out this movie Count Down to Eternity as Prophecies come to life before your eyes ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZNIeKFvPA

@john
Well is this a question of who done it first ? no ey ! so lets be reasonable here shall we, The Bible is not just any book here you have the words of Jesus written by man but inspired by God,i will paste you a link here about a movie you can check for yourself how prophecies did come true and some are really happening now, But I am with you here praying litany for hours or the rosary its not praying at all and not that i just believe so its also stated in the Bible New Test. Mat:6:7 not to use repetitive words, which are invented by the RCC. But yes I do believe that we have to glorify God in anything we do, since I gave up my life for Christ i started to understand whats what. You have to be in it to understand, open your heart,except Jesus in your life repent your sins and there and there you are forgiven, God awakes your sleeping spirit within you. With the spirit awake you will also be able to understand whats in the bible and read cause faith comes by the words of God,

@aldo
You may criticise the RCC for all I care. I suddenly see a shift in your arguments and adding Jesus in the pot. First of all I did it before you , secondly I am a person who believes in human dignity and reason. I am not a fanatic. I refuse to take any book written by a man without questioning its purity and intent. This idea of Adoring our God makes me sick. God is so perfect that This God does not need out worship. Just imagine if someone serenades you with some litany for hours, wouldnt you throw something at his head? I sometimes have to bear the divine mercy prayer which If I was Christ I would throw something at my own mother and sister for reminding me of that horrible passion I had to go through. Wouldnt you ? Lets be calm and accept facts. Religions are good only when they respect human dignity and move humanity towards peace. They should adopt any good coming out of each of them and they should respect different ideas. After all we are created diverse and in unity. Isnt this the main Wish of Christ? It is mine.

I am sorry John but you are so so wrong and write in the same time, of coarse we had the wrong doctrine from our beloved Roman Catholic Church, you said it your self our church came from other churches and like you said its difficult to explain here, you must know that a religion is a man made rules that we should NOT follow, the RCC and the likes are not in the grace of god like we all think, hehe you will throw stones me now ! all traditions of man that God did never approve starting from these Feasts but of coarse you will not understand you and many others if you don't study carefully the bible and examine it. Jesus Christ was never a religion ! men made religion, we should be Christians followers of Christ, there is where we are all on the wrong path we follow the Church full of abomination who made deals with kings of the earth like Hitler Mussolini and Franco, they were set up to win and conquer the world, and set up a millenium for the pope, Of coarse this is all beyond us !

@joseph Schembri
I like your question and so i shall answer. People in their mental situations sometimes create idols and saints and what have you . The church in its long history and traditions has put on a pedestal good people and declared them saints for us to follow and become saints as well while following their good example. unfortunately this goes back thousands of years and the church was born from another church and adopted a lot from others. Mythology has had its say too and many so called saints hardly ever existed and so did narcissus and peter pan and so many characters . Yet today other narcissuses do exist and other helenas do exist. People want a more visible help to get to the point. I know that this is too difficult to discuss here but one thing for sure statues make a lot of people happy. Many hardly realise that they are made of wood. Go tell the maltese walking after Our Lady of sorrows that they are actually walking behind the wrong image!!! Our lady is telling us as you look at my vision you should remember the sorrows of others who are suffering.

@John Zammit: What do you exactly mean when you mention St. Catherine and St. George and the "simple" people who choose them? What about St. Helen? Is she a saint for sophisticated people? Please shed some light on my confusion.

Dear Mary, I too do not believe in statues covered in Gold , the vatican does. But then humans need something to parade around be it a shoulder high, be it a sexy footballer or a half naked britney on a bus. Simple people choose a saint man made like st catherine or st george, or any of their likes. My God does not like to condemn, my doings condemn me when I hurt my fellow men. You see my dear Mary you, like many others imagine a God in your image , He made us in his image. I like to be in the image of my God the creator of love mercy and forgiveness. He is the God who fed the thousands who cured the sick and the blind. He never condemned but we ourselves condemn. Just listen to those lovely words on the cross we refer to as his seven last phrases. Why do you always attribute condemnation with God. God is so pure in love that it is US ourselves who created hell. He only made a heaven. He Made Cosmos, we made chaos. This is my God my sweet Mary.

@ john zammit

most scriptures i see here are from the testament, and besides the word of God is for the past present and future ! Seems to me that your God does not live in your heart at all ! cause if he does for sure he will condemn you from speaking like that, you God seems that its only a God that you invented for your own that suits your needs and you desires, but i am sorry to tell you that The God is not something like you have created ! You see my God does live in me cause i watch what i say, i don`t need statues covered in gold and jewels or photos of God like you do to run in the streets of your town with, The so modern you say you are you should be away from all that cause they have been happening for 100`s of years, so why do you still do them ? your Gods are made out of paper, They don`t talk listen move or walk !
you don1t have idea what God is made of !

Worship the creator not the creation dear john !

quothes and numbers from the old testament only make you take the bible ad litteram. Biblical interpretation is a very complex science and it pains all scriptural experts and many a time they are baffled. I cannot and do not recognise the God of the old testament. He is only the God of the jews exclusively. Today I am proud to state i do not acknowledge that God, because my God is nothing but perfection and to let me express my free will is part of his plan of freedom . in other centuries i would be burned at the stake and believe me your prayers would be unheard by your so called god. My God is very different, he lives in me and channels all his love through me and others. I can name a few who like you take the bible ad litteram , when that happened Galileo was nearly burnt. But then science makes us closer to God. God is omnipresent in out lives. Yes please pray for me I hope that your God has ears. I am looking for solution to a problem at the moment. he is testing me to the limits but means well.

@ john zammit part 3.

But of coarse God is LOVE, if God is not love you are not here expressing yourself at your own free will, God left us FREE to believe and know what we wish, BUT also, gave us guide lines to go by if we wish to be in His Grace.So, Love can be known only from the action it prompts.God`s love is seen in the gift of his Son. Love had it`s perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Con 5:14 Eph2:4 3:19 5:2. Christian love is the fruit of his Spirit in the Christian, Gal 5:22, Christian Love has God for its primary object, and expresses it self first of all in implicit obedience to His Commandments, John 14:15, 21,23; 15:10; 1 John 2:5, 5:3; 2 John 6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing is the negation of Love to God.

I will pray for you that one day you will open your heart to the Lord and to the Lord alone.

@ john zammit part 1.

But of coarse God is LOVE, if God is not love you are not here expressing yourself at your own free will, God left us FREE to believe and know what we wish, BUT also, gave us guide lines to go by if we wish to be in His Grace.So, Love can be known only from the action it prompts.God`s love is seen in the gift of his Son. Love had it`s perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Con 5:14 Eph2:4 3:19 5:2. Christian love is the fruit of his Spirit in the Christian, Gal 5:22, Christian Love has God for its primary object, and expresses it self first of all in implicit obedience to His Commandments, John 14:15, 21,23; 15:10; 1 John 2:5, 5:3; 2 John 6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing is the negation of Love to God.

I will pray for you that one day you will open your heart to the Lord and to the Lord alone.

@ john zammit part 2

Jealous here is referred to as an Adjective, "jealous" This adjective occurs 6 times in the Old Testament .The word refers directly to the attributes of Gods justice and holiness, as he is the sole object of human worship and does not tolerate man`s sin Exod.20:5 The adjective `qanno` also means "jealous" Josh 24:19 Nah 1:2

As a verb "to be Jealous; to be zealous" At the inter-human level it has a strongly competitive sence. In its most positive sence the word means "to be filled with righteous zeal or jealousy" ~ "righteous" "to be righteous, be in the right, be justified, be just. God "is righteous" in all of His relations,and in comparison with Him man is not righteous.

please check in your copy of the bible if own one, And if you have a book of Concise Concordance and Concise Dictionary will sure help you out.

@aldo lombardi

I forgot to tell you , that before you order my beheading or burning me at the stake, I really cant stop my laughter at your comments. My God is a very Happy God and is mostly concerned to see us all happy healthy and developing. God doesnt need our praise or worship. All he wants us to be loving to one another and to grow in harmony and peace. When we take st Helen out in our old streets seeing happy faces and simple people enjoying themselves , that is what God wants. Be it st Helen or a carnival float or a samba dance, the most important thing for us humans is to be happy loving and free from hatred and pains. That is the true God . If your god is the god of jealousy, then i am sure he must be running a brothel where all the prostitutes are competing between themselves. My God does it better he lives in us, shines in our happy faces and lives in those hearts who really know and believe in love. with all apologies aldo dear.

@aldo Lombardi
your quotes only show how fundamentalistic you are, and show the lack of knowledge when it comes to God. Quoting from any book and saying that God is jealous is enough to show how bad that source is. God is not jealous. Jealousy comes from sin and it leads to evil. Logic tells us that the Old testament was written by people and blamed on God. My God is a God of love, and not a God of jealousy. I am not jealous of anyone who has a picture or a statue of myself. On the contrary I would feel honoured. In the case of the old testament quotes , I am disgusted how you can attribute those thoughts to a God who is loving kind Perfect Omnipotent and above all A God who has done and does nothing which doesn't come out of Love. So please Aldo whoever you are eat your heart out. your god does not exist. It is the God of the jews who always wanted a super power as their god who hates their enemies and exhalts only them. Aldo your god might be a jealous one, Mine is loving. tough luck.

@ John Zammit

IS THIS HOW YOU PAY HIM BACK ?

all he asked is to PRAISE ONLY HIM !

Not to mention its the first COMMANDMENT : thou shalt have no other God before me !

Exodus 20: 4 and 5

4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images,or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"

5: "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me"

@ John Zammit
So you are calling the the word of God in the Bible is garbage ? Fine thats up to you !
you are the one who has to answer to God on judgment day ! so you are free to your opinion of coarse ! on self righteousness !
But this if you believe in God then I must correct you !
then you must go with what the bible says and what Jesus Christ wishes if you want to enter into his Father Kingdom !
I see everyone here Praising Idols (graven images)and saints full of Gold and riches, which is taken you all away from praising God !
God didn't want this for himself it`s stated clearly enough that he is a Jealous God !
You are making all these Saints as your IDOLS and Gods, don`t you realize ? how they blinded your site and focus from The LORD that loves you so much ! that he sent his only son to take all your SINS away ! IS THIS HOW YOU PAY HIM BACK ?

@ Aldo Lombardi , idolatry can be directed at oneself too and is the worst types of its kind. I would refer such stupidity to the garbage and let villagers express their traditions as they used to for hundreds of years. The island with its customs and traditions is a beautiful society and community. Without such traditions what will take their place? I shudder to think in this day and age. So please Aldo Lombardi and your cronies stifle yourselves in your dark wine bars and let other people be.

@joseph Schembri, The procession takes place on a sunday morning where people just stand on the sides of the streets and see the procession go by as in a defilee. It is quite peacefull and there has never been any incidents. Yes the Statue is a work of art and is admired both locally and internationally. There have never been reports of any incidents during processions. So there is absolutely no need to protect from any flying bottle pot holes or what have you. As regards to the countless useless wires going haywire everywhere , that is a different story and should be addressed immediately so as to avoid any incidents with other larger vehicles. What worries me most is that during the feasts business parasites are taking advantage of a situation to make money on the festa organisation itself by placing horrible movable kiosks and taking all the profits while those who provide the lights decorations and sacrifice their free time to decorate the village get nothing but criticism and branded iffissati. Thanks to them they provide a bit of entertainment to many old villagers who for them the once a year festa would mean a special day out.

Rita Spiteri says it all.

Idolatry at it`s best BIG TIME !

But now i see N.Vella, that if i understand well you are with me on this one ;)

Such people have no faith whatsoever it`s unbelievable the comments i read here !

@B.Callus: Yes I agree with you it was a bizarre accident and thank God no one was hurt. Believe me when I say I hate all this exegerated picque in our Maltese Feasts but is a fact and please do not try and hide it. Harm is no good for nobody and no one gains from it. I did mention the incident and other incidents to give an example of the usual stupid maltese phrase when something happens "Sehtuna Ta San or Ta Santa..ghamlulna xi ghajn." I believe festa enthusiasts should focus first on knowing God through at least the examples of their patron saints and give their energy of improving their feast in general without harming nobody. BTW send my regards to Marlon the Laserboy!

@ N.Vella

There is nothing wrong with the word worship at all , as long as you worship ONLY GOD !

It seems to me that nobody in here reads the Holy Bible and understand it .. shame !
well let me point out another 2 important scriptures that not even the roman catholic church even seems to care about ....

Not to mention its the first COMMANDMENT : thou shalt have no other God before me !

Exodus 20: 4 and 5

4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images,or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"

5: "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me"

kien hawn hafna li hadu gost li gralna ek imma haga najdilom ,jek thares lejn il wicc affaxinanti ta santa liena tinsa li gara li gara u tibzax salib namlulha iehor u isbah! gheziez beltin imbilli ajjartuha il ground thozzu fl ilma qedin ax tkomplu tqawwulna qalbna u tkabbrulna l imhabba li ga ghandna u ha jibqa ikollna sa mewtna al padruna.l ahhar haga hi li din l istorja gabuha fuq l ahbarijiet ,sites etc.etc. haga posittiva hafna tafux! ax santa liena hija wahda jek mux l isbah statwa ta malta alek gabuha! kiku kinet ta xi hadd iehor ma kinux igibuha ax mux importanti! VIVA SANTA LIENA ,L OMM TAL KARKARIZI ,U L GHIRA TA BOSTA !!

@Aldo Lombardi

if this is not worship,what is it then? and why the word worship is disgusting to use is such context i fail to understand.

@ Joseph Galea
Quote
"If we worship the saints whether they are the real ones or the statues, we will probably end up without any, depending on the calibre of the shells. :-) But if we worship them, then maybe they will keep us safe. ;-)"

It`s a very disgusting thing to say Mr.Galea ! to worship Saints

Seems clearly to me, that you don`t read the Bible at all ! cause if you do, you would know that in Isaiah 42:8 its states that....

"I am the Lord,that is my name,and my glory I will give to another neither my praise to graven images"

@John Zammit; I don't know much about this sort of art, but if the statue is such a priceless work of art why go around with it in streets full of hazards?.. you know: potholes, overhanging decorations and dare I say it?: people swigging beer with the occasional fight just a beer bottle's throw away.

I would like to second M Aquilina for a very good blog. Yes there are people with a brain on this island , but when one looks at other blogs, I would need the chemist afterwards.

No problem about the Times reporting this small incident. I was only struck by the irony of having so much spleen vented on statues and fireworks and so little meaningful dicussion on reports on this same website about foreign affairs with potentially serious repercussions on our future.

To F. Williams

Just a small correction, We Vittoriosa people do not offend your domnican feast (Valletta), neither the Vittoriosa Domnican Feast! We are what one can call local rivals. Believe me, your Valleta Domnican feast is the last on our thoughts! As regards the Big Pole you mentioned, it was just an accident which could have resulted in serious consequences but thanks god, no one was hurt.

it was nonesense to report this accident (to one of the most beautiful statues) as flash news. and all those who commenetd against the feasts, band clubs etc etc, do so because they are not part of any of these! May be all those who are against feasts should stop enjoying their hobbies first, then we will stop enjoy feasts!

What about the poles and street deco on the pavements I'll say it again you have to walk in the middle of the road if you have a buggy

@ Rita Spiteri
People who decorate streets for feasts are no selfish creatures you want to depict, no festa organizer will take risks to put others in danger. They take all precautions to avoid accidents They work all year round and certainly, they will not take any risks to ruin their work. The Naxxar tragedy has nothing to do with street decorations. it was a careless person who caused such a tragedy. Even those who work in fireworks factories and are accustomed to fireworks manufacture won't dare to take such risks either. Illegal manufacture of fireworks occur through the world and accidents from such abuse occur. No person sound of mind would put himself, his family and neighbours in danger.
Unfortunately like with any other issue in this world there will always be somebody who will break rules. Are all Maltese thieves because some other Maltese steals?
If this was a serious country, no government body would issue a permit for a road to be built near a fireworks factory as in the case of Lija. In case of an accident if a fatality occurs will it be the fault of fireworks or because MEPA issued the permit?

News Alert: Who Cares

@Gavin Ellul
If you want to break both legs break them, you can even break a third one if you've got a spare.If you want risk a range of pains from back pains to burns or play with fireworks risk it I don't really care but when it effects me I care you see I don't like hearing or seeing fireworks in the middle of the night I don't like living next to a garage full of explosives,I don't like walking in the middle of the road with the buggy because there are poles on the pavements and street decorations all nice and pretty for the feasts so if you men want to do something to pass the time be considerate and think of the irritation and most of all the DANGER you are putting other people in

@ Rita Spiteri: why are you so feminist about this matter? I cannot understand how this article provoked such a response form you! Judging from your comment we men shouldn't do anything!!! What the hell?! I enjoy my football, I break both of my legs if necessary because it's part and parcel of every sport, I will keep on enjoying fireworks and I will continue helping others in putting up decorations in my village, albeit risking a range of pains from back pains to burns!! But they form part of activities WE ENJOY doing. And you mention drugs too... God this is really a case of missing the woods for the trees!! If someone wants to do drugs, no band club, external feasts committee or fireworks factory will keep him from experimenting... it's up to the person to choose not to!

@ M. Aqulina: the times does report news from the caucasus, but the news items do not satisfy you, you can always log on to other international websites which provide you with footage of the incidents. But if the newsroom deemed St. Helen's cross as a worthy news item why stop them??

While discussing such a topic, please do spare a prayer for all those who died as a result of the fireworks factory in Birkirkara. Let's keep first things first. I was a staunch supporter of feasts but after so many incidents I have become alienated from them.

what a waste of web space...such things are not national news, they should be published in the parish newsletter if published at all. Is this such an important topic for most of you? Thought other issues would have top priority spot when it comes to discussions.

Amazing how much interest on a broken piece of wood which has been repaired. Maybe some more reflection could be afforded to situatons which are less easy to resolve and with a larger bearing on our tomorrows, like the reports from the Caucasus for instance.

Why is it that some people (men in particular) have to find an excuse to do something eg..better decorating streets and have feast as a hobby instead of taking drugs, better to go hunting instead of taking drugs ,better to work with fireworks instead of taking drugs, better playing sports and breaking a leg instead of taking drugs and so on and so forth. Better I go do some dusting ,Washing the floor/cloths.do the dishes and start cleaning instead of taking drugs:)

Some comments about all this matter:

1. Please stop all this non sense. This is all non sense!! I was amazed by the level of intollerance shown in many of the comments. All this is proving my theory about our nation!! We are very intollerable and unfortunately our hearts have been contaminated with deep hatred, violence and anger for each other! My question is, WHY? WHAT FOR? WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE BY THIS?

2. I was equally amazed to see how the comments varied from one subject to another. They alternated from sacred to very very very low comments. What amazes me is that we maltese people, and i say ALL OF US, do think that we are experts on every subject which exists on earth. It is enough to read the daily or sunday papers or read certian comments on internet to see for yourself what i am saying.

3. Please do end this tragic comedy. It was an accident and thats all. Yes i amdit we maltese people need to be educated. We need to be educated on what IT MEANS to believe in Christ & to be a catholic. ALL OF US!

what a shame in 2008 and still believing in statues and stone . i know that in those days faith is dwindling, but to believe and idolise a statue its pure crap. heard that imgarr parish accepted 10,000 maltese liri for someone to carry the piece of wood. where does the money go? and y does the church and its ppl demand us to forget maerialism and than when you go to churches its all glittery and golden.

I hope that Paul Borg learnt his lesson.

It's true everyone got shocked with this accident, but the feast didn't get ruined.Whoever said that it finished in disaster is not true. And I am proud that I was part in the procession with the band of tal-bagri.one should notice the people we had throughout the procession... We had a very good feast, with no fights.....Well done Karkarizi...

@ Nadia Camilleri

If we worship the saints whether they are the real ones or the statues, we will probably end up without any, depending on the calibre of the shells. :-) But if we worship them, then maybe they will keep us safe. ;-)

I spent the last 30 minutes also, literarly wasting my time reading some unbeilevable comments by some of the writes here. How can a person who doesn't know anything about the Birkirkara vs. valletta rivalry, say that in 2008 no one is insulting one another. To that particular person/s I urge them to watch a video of today's football match between valletta and sliema, and notice the "Tghawgilkom is-salib" singing by 3/4 of the Valletta supporters present at the Ta'Qali.

And what about all those silly comments targeting people who are "iffissatti" ? I regard myself to be a very loyal Birkirkara supporter when it comes to football and other matters related to my town, so what ? Don't you have any pastimes ? I'm sure that most of you like to watch films, read books ecc ecc ... some have more negative habits, that of criticizing other writers as antiquate and so on. Do you know that we are living in a democratic country ? If you are not a patriote, than we don't care, but for goodness sake stop attacking people who keep our Maltese culture alive.

Shame on The Times for calling such a minor accident "DISASTER"

It seems that some people in this word, are only interested in the SALIB of others, instead of taking a look at their personal problems and try to resolve them.
@ Rita Spiteri: - better decorating streets and have feast as a hobby instead of having lot of free time without doing nothing leading to depressions and other similar things that laziness can bring with it. Well done for those KARKIRIZI who every year make their efforts to have a better feast each year.

What worries me most when I read some of the negative comments dished out by vultures who love to destruct more than to be constructive, is that hardly anyone has ever noted that village feasts are not something invented by the iffissati. It is a natural feeling to celebrate. Without critcising other non religious celebrations, I would like to remind that these iffissati who as some pointed out , thanks to them we provide a little spectacle as well to the thousands of tourists who delight and share with us a little bit of joy. Of course celebration with dignity is what we seek. Just imagine our Malta without our feasts. I would like to say something then to our economy and the jobs feasts create. I am really amused that such a trifle incident should attract so much attention. But then some people would hardly have anything to talk about if St Helen did not break her cross. Pity for some that it has been repaired. Of course one has to be carefull and preserve our treasures. Our beloved St Helen will always be considered as a national work of art a european heritage.

is- salib jinkiser u jsir iehor biss l-istatwa majestuza ta` st elena se tibqa tpaxxi l gzejjer maltin bis-sbuhija u l-arti li harget minn idejn l-iskultur bravu salvu psaila
viva sant elena imp. awg. l-ghaxqa u l-ghira tal-maltin kollha

@ Rita Spiteri
People who work hard to decorate the streets for the feast also work hard to earn a living. They are hard working people who love their families and make all kind of sacrifices for them.
They don't only contribute through their work for feasts alone, but whatever good cause might need, simply because they have a generous heart. Working to organize a festa makes you appreciate how to work in a team and to take your share of responsibilities.
One will find that festa volunteers are also people who have no drugs or drinking problems simply because they give their energies and efforts for something they love. They are people who appreciate the cultural heritage of these islands and work hard not to make this country a cultural wasteland.
For all of those who tell the rest to get a life - I met many festa enthusiasts and all of them are terrific people who don't think only about the feast for 365 days. I am amazed how they manage to keep up with all their hobbies, work and family.

Paul Borg is more than welcome to give his time and energy towards the pastoral needs of the Parish and it's people.

One tries not to comment ta ima how can I?...I just read the article on the hard copy of the Times of Malta and may i quote this....."Birkirkara's feast of St Helen yesterday ended in DISASTER........................."(The TImes of Malta Monday,August25,2008)... is this the right news given to people?? Yesterday evening the statue of st helen was temprarily repaired and no urgency was shown whatsoever!!!

Il-kobor ta' Sant' Elena mhuwiex il-fatt li sabet is-Salib ta' Kristu imma f'li ghexitu tul hajjitha kollha, wettqet il-karita mal-fqar, sarfet il-pozizzjoni li kellha fl-awtorita ghall-gid tas-socjeta u baqghet fidila lejn zewgha sa' l-ahhar minkejja li halliha u mar ma' mara ohra.
Salib ta' l-injam jissewwa imma xorta ma jtellifx mis-sbuhija artistika u imprezzabli ta' l-istatwa maestuza ta' l-Imperatrici ELENA

VIVA SANT'ELENA, IL-GAWHRA PREZZJUZA TAL-KARKARIZI

Someone wrote I should not go to feasts I certainly Don't go to feasts I try to go as far away from home as I possibly can in the week of my hometown feast and I cant not look at the decorations I have to keep my eyes open while I'm driving around Malta Because some people have to work for a living not mess about hanging bandalori and having sleepless nights worring about the feasts

Referring to Mr Paul Borg comments on our parish lacking the necessary parish commodities which are in accordance with todays synod, I think he should make himself available to the parish activities before he fires any such remarks. People who do not frequent our churches are completely oblivious to what is going on in our parishes. There are iffissati but our parish church with the largest socio cultural historical heritage in the Maltese islands is the provider of hundreds of missionaries abroad. They were all brought up under the infuence of bokkli bolli and what have you . These developed in their hearts a love which cared other hearts. Beside all that we have all the necessary amenities, and another, the money is not being spent on the restoration of the church. Birkirkara collegiate funds are funding mr paul borg himself if he has any idea to what he is talking about. The church property devolution act has denuded St Helens foundation of its dowry and endowment and went to the general public. I would ask Mr Paul Borg to be more specific before he speaks out. pastoral care comes from kind people .

@ Gavin Ellul
In your last reply, you chose to compare festa with football, and yes, I can understand your point, but why can't these pastimes coexist in harmony, which in Birkirkara, they do. I am not a fireworks fanatic, but I can empithise with those that are, as I hope non football enthusiasts understand and appreciate our pastime. The feast of St.Helen has been a pillar of our society for decades and football has become the same. We don't have to choose between them as we are proud of both. I will reatriate my original point: why did the Times think it was such a big issue? Superficial damage to the cross in an unfortunate incident? No injuries, no mayhem, just a simple mishap. That was the crux of my argument.

I agree that it is nice to have a feast once in a while and I like our feast in B'kara. However I feel that B'kara S. Helen Parish church has lost it true focus.

I frequently go to mass as St. Helen's and feel that the whole parish is a hostage of a few 'iffissati' that all that they are intrested in is festa, basilka kollegjata, societa borgia, and all the other things from the past that have no actual relevance today. Did you know that B'Kara St. Helen is the only parish in Malta without a Youth Centre and a proper Pastoral Centre? Well money is only being spent on the restoration of the church........and these people are only intrested in that. I have tried to help in pastoral work but I got put off by this people.

The 'iffissati' would be doing a better job if they used their time for pastoral work and educational activities for the B'Kara youths instead of thinking about privilages, bokli, bolli and backstabbing the chaplin.

karkariz.

Broken cross apart I think that the statue of St.Helen is an artistic masterpiece and only the blind will deny................The Basilica is even more impressive.........lets use this incident to be proud of our jems and our culture, what makes you and me Maltese .Whether you accept it or deny it this is exactly who we are!!

The Times has managed to generate hundres is not thousands of hits to its website by sending out sms's. It is a well known fact that the feast attracts the largest ammount of people, and hence a Flash News SMS created all this feedback.

Was, still is and will be by far the most beautiful feast on the Island. A very small incident indeed didn't need such coverage. Apparently it has already been fixed.

Rita, Elenio et al, your posts don't even merit one's attention to read, let alone reply.

Viva Birkirkara, u Viva Santa Liena.

@Aldo Lombardi
Where in the bible does Jesus himself say that you should adore him?
John 20:17 Jesus said I ascend to my God and your God.
John 8:28 Jesus said, "I do nothing of myself”
John 14:28 Jesus said, "My Father (GOD) is greater than I am"
Luke 23:46 Jesus said "Father (GOD), into thy hands I commend my spirit"
Matthew 24:36 Jesus told his followers that no one (including Jesus) knows when the judgment day will come, only GOD knows.
John 5:30 - John 5:32 - Luke 5:16
What about those statues who are attributed miraculous powers?
and finally, who still believes that St. Helena found the true cross of Jesus? there is no true cross of Jesus since the only piece carried to the execution site was the cross piece (Patibulum) and to top it all the cross was 'found' more than 320 years after jesus's death! Helena must have been a better archaeologist than indiana Jones!

I hate to say this, but a lot of you are falling into what italians call 'falso moralismo'. For example, let's take the money problem. Some claim that it would be better for the feast organisers to raise money for charity rather than decorations, fireworks etc. Well I would like to clarify a few points: 1) I attend many feasts, even those held INTERNALLY (which are of utmost importance too...) and I can easily say that many barbecues, lotteries and fund-raising activities are held B'RIZQ IL-BENEFICENZA, and the money is donated to charities. 2) Who on earth are you to deprive people of their past-times? Why should the FESTA people lose out, and not other activities? I have never heard any of you criticise Joe Caruana Curran, Victor Zammit, Victor Scriha etc who fork out/forked out in the past thousands of maltese liri to the 'benefit' of their football clubs. Yes, I agree on moderation, but not on extermination of our culture. And @L.Micallef, yes such things do generate comments in Malta. Are you ashamed? In Italy accidents happen in mountains, are you claiming that those who live in the south of italy shouldn't comment? Please...

Ghalkemm kellna dik it tragedja zghira, xorta kellna festa mil isbah u mil aqwa. Ahna il karkarizi nafu niccelebraw u naghmlu festa BOMBA.. minn naha ta zewg baned, Ghal isem il patruna taghna Santa Helena the one and only, l-isbah statwa f'malta :P

u btw armar tal festa sbieh, li kieku ma jkunux huma qas tinduna li waslet festa, toroq jidru hafna sbieh, ghal min ma jifimx jew jobod il festi jalaq halqu. accidents happean, is salib seta nqasam ma x'imkien ihor.

VIVA SANTA LIENA GHAL DEJJEM --- VIVA BIRKIRKARA --- VIVA IL- KARKARIZI

I am not a 'Karkariz', and neither do I hail from 'is-City', but it is still sad to hear about any damages occurring to any form of sacred art which represent the supposed models to our lives, be it a statue, cross, painting, chapel etc. The effort, talent and money dedicated to these works of art are to be wholly appreciated by believers and non-believers alike (that is, if both factions are culturally and artistically mature). For example, the Vatican is flooded daily by Japanese, Chinese and other races which do not necessarily believe in Roman Catholicsm but tend to appreciate art. Therefore in my honest opinion comments such as 'who cares', 'the decorations are an eye-sore' (???!!!) and 'serves them right' verge on the ridiculous. If one doesn't appreciate art there's no problem whatsoever but he/she must make an effort not to offend anyone.

Albeit, in this day and age I cannot understand how some individuals still live in a state of paranoia...'ghax tas-city joboghduna u rridu nkunu ahjar minnhom' - we as a nation must grow up. If it's not politics, it's football, feasts, other patron saints, band clubs etc... you name it.

@Victor Caruana

The statue of St Helen was INDEED produced from solid wood (in 1837 by sculptor Salvu Psaila), and it is acknowledged by historians as one of the very few similarly-made statues in Malta. The cross, of course, was added afterwards, and is undoubtedly made of wood inferior to that which was transformed into a magnificent statue. The model for the statue is said to have been a lady from Bkara, and one must admit that she must have been a beauty!
Regarding the incident itself, it was rather minor and had no effect on the celebrations apart from the disappointment that the statue had been damaged.

Paganizmu Papali!!!!!
Ahjar il-flus li se tonfqu jmorru ghal karita, nahseb Santa Liena tapprezza aktar!!!!!!!

It's not the first statue that was damaged. Some years ago in Tarxien the Statue of Our Lady of Doctrine was also damaged by a wire were electic bulbs wehe hanged with. The head of the Madonna was broken from the neck. So what?

St. Helen's statue is an artistic and beautiful statue. I am sure that the cross will be mended as new.

It could have been worse. They could have dropped the whole statue like they did with San Gorg in Toronto.

viva san bert!!!!

Reply to Victor Caruana - regarding your comments about the material that the cross is made of, i encourage you to make your own investigations. you'll receive the answers clearly after you finish your investigation ;) your comments show that you have no idea about the statue of St.Helens. be informed before you start doubting.

Reply to Rita Spiteri - something that you don't like doesn't mean that is is awful and disgusting. it's matter of opinion and tastes. pity that your tastes differ from the tastes of the majority ;)

and finally to The Times - thanks for the free promotion of our feast. However, I still think that this minor incident was taken out of proportion. As you can clearly see from the photo, the cross was just hit without any big damage. I don't believe it should have been in the news. Next time I suggest you inform all Malta that there were no accidents during the feast and that all organizations (including both band clubs) worked together peacefully to oraganize a successful feast.

@Matthaeus Grasso . When you are saying that this one of the best (if not the best) feast of Malta that means it is the most popular feast. So Everyone have to be up to date if it is one of the best (if not the best) feast...

Wee St Helen faired better then St George in canada, did you all see the video on youtube? go on have a laugh, Thank god that no one was injured not even the karkarizi self esteem

So The Sunday Times thinks it is more convenient to send a sarcastic SMS Flash News about the cross, rather than inform us about immigrants landing ashore??

Jaħasra! Where are we focussed in 2008! Unbelievable!

To Victor Caruana

Just for your information, the statue is made of solid pine (arznu) wood. The cross is just complimenting the statue. It was made hollow on purpose, just not to add extra wieght to the already heavy statue. The cross is 'interzjat'.

If the cross was made out of solid wood, it would have made damage to the statue.
Anyways, after a few hours it was repaired as if nothing had happened in the morning.

Rita Spiteri, you sure have a poor taste.

Thank God it did'nt break the statue arm. I think they better buy a new cross than repairing an old one!

ok cross repaired.. feast passed.. PERIOD!!

@ Elenio Cassar - Have you thought about moving so that you don't here the din? Oh no silly me - I forgot - Feasts are held in EVERY town and village.

@victor caruana..
the cross is not made with the same material as the statue is
i know this for a reason that i used to lift lieni on my sholders in previous years but i cannot do this anymore because of lifting up problems
lieni is made of wood and for a statue it is enourmously heavy, for people that do not know this
lieni has 3 crosses the original one is never used when every year she makes her 2 and a half hour route in birkirkara this one is the weak material, this one is very light and easily broken
the other one is made from this material as well and is used only for emergencies.
as you can see on the picture the cross is not attached to the fingers of the statue it is just resting on them and inserted in a small space next to santa lieni feet.
The original cross is not used because we all know that she enters the church running up the ramp, and if anything happens we cant risk that the cross will slip out and lands on people,
this is unlikley to happen but is just a precaution..

How pathetic that such a small incident should generate so much comment. Have we nothing better to think about.

How I agree with Rita Spiteri - those so called decorations are the worst in kitsch and camp and the horrendous blasphemy that I hear from the people putting up those decorations just goes on to prove that all this 'festa' madness is pure paganism.

It is only the weak minded who enjoy this sort of thing and tourists are at BEST bemused. I tried taking foreign friends to a festa or two but it was just plain boring - watching drunkards evict bowels and stomach in public is not the sort of entertainment that the tourists we keep hoping for like to watch.

Pagan nothing but pagan that was Gods will for the cross to broken !

worship no one else but the Lord and Jesus Christ cause the only salvation is true him Jn 14: 6 ` I am the way.. no one comes to the father except through me`

Ghalkemm jiena Qormi, xtaqt nikkummenta fuq dak li qal certu Victor Caruana fir-rigward ta` dan l-incident. Is-salib tal-vara maestuza u monumentali ta` Sant`Elena ma hux solidu u ma jistax ikun. Bilfors ried isir hafif ghax altrimenti kien jikser id-il-vara li qed thaddnu. Nassigura lil dan is-sinjur miskin li l-vara hi ta` njam solidu, biex inkun preciz injam ta` l-arznu.
Ktibt ghax apparti li jdejjaqni min hu pruzuntuz, inhobb l-arti u allura bilfors taffaxxinani din il-vara imponenti, kapolavur ta` Malti bhalna, Salvu Psaila.

Vincent Azzopardi

Mrs.N Cammilleri...I would like to make you clear that worship a saint is not the correct terminology we must use to describe the Maltese festas...Its Veneration....for the Maltese "Iqimu l-Qaddisin" u mhux "Jadurawhom"....you got completly wrong all the festas....about Fanatizmu and Parrokjalizmu...its everywere in the Mediterranian sea....the Pride of being from a certain village....proud of the band club....proud of the artistique value of statues....but for sure that is not worship in the sense tadura but tqim.

This is just a false attack the Catholic Church which as you know pushes forward the imitation of the Saint....and the feast is done...altough it does not always happen....to glorify God for what he did with the Saints....the feasts are getting on the right track thanks to the Synod....it just need a refine on fireworks and some othe exagerations...but we're on the right track...I think at least

We Valletta people seem to have super special celestial powers. Those who offend our dominican feast feel the pain. In B`kara a cross of a beautiful statue was damaged and in Vittoriosa the BIG flag pole crushed down. We can also control the weather in February!! Beware we are "God`s Hammer"!!!!!
Hope we can guess the super 5 for some time in a row so hopefull we can save the Cali paintings! Come on, why on earth the B`kara folks had to get us involved!? Grow up and just enjoy your feast!

And please, please, all of us stop this pityful nonsense of offending each other saints!

The statue of St. Helen is a masterpiece in solid wood by the great Vittoriosan Sculpture Salvu Psaila arounf 160 years ago. If you have any doubts just come and try to bite it, if you're not afraid to leave your denteture fixed with her.

The Cross is not part of the statute. On the first day of the feast week the 70 year old solid wood croos would be dressed to the statute in a very beautiful ceremony by the procurator of the feast. If you have doubts about this also just go to You Tube and hit on St. elena Feast and you see a clip of this that took palce on 18/08/2008.

This beautiful ceremony takes place in the Collegiate Basilica of St. Helen in Birkirkara of course....the first and most prestigous Collegiate Basilica on the Islands.....the greatest title held by any parish church in Malta and Gozo. If you're not a historian like I am, just don't try to doubt this.

Idolatry Alert!

@ Rita Spiteri

Dear Rita, if you don't like them, don't look at them or don't even go to the festas. Or else next time try decorating the streets yourself. If you don't like them it doesn't mean that others don't. Do you know how time consuming all the putting up of decorations is? Do you know how dedicated most of the patrons are? Do you know what a large amount of money is spent? And all the time used putting everything into place and organising, weeks before and after the festa. it's all voluntary work. It's tough work madam, you don't even know about it. Sleepless nights, worries, time away from the family or friends, etc etc. You would imagine the disappointment of someone who has worked so hard to read such a post made by yourself.

So please, be considerate. If you don't like them, let the others do, but leave such comments to yourself.

Is this a bad omen ?

someone commented about the how nice the street decorations were I think they look digusting and bombastic yuck how awful and I don't mean in B'kara only they're all over the place a real eyesore

You see? Nothing to be cross about.........

Better feast year after year , this small incident should not effect the overall enthusiasim and dedication of all involved in the feast preperations but encourage us B'Kara people to continue to work together . Results speak for themselves. Surprises from both band clubs are becoming a tradition thus making us looking forward for next year for an even better feast.

VIVA SANT ELENA , IL-GAWHRA TAGHNA IL-KARKARIZI

KARKARIZ U KBURI

By the way and for the record. It was said that the statue of St. Helen is solid wood. Now it has been proved that it may be plywood - or how else one could explain its fragility?

Probably it was manufactured by an old Hamrun woodworker who excelled in fuljetta.

An inquiry should be held and the material used for the statue determined and explained by the appropriate authorities

@Amanda Muscat thanks for the free publicity you gave to our beloved forum. Not necessary but always welcome ;) How come you're browsing the forum, mela mhux tal-festa llum?

Relax, these things happen, after all the statue bearers are human beings not robots. And I don't understand all this fuss for a very minor accident. Fortunately nobody got hurt and the feast can go on as usual.

@ To all the iffissati who did not like my previous post.
You have every right to enjoy your feast in all your fanaticizmu and parrokjalizmu. As I have every right to feel disgusted with the exaggerated bombardment we had to go through all week.

Much ado about nothing....everything is back in place. Viva Sant' Elena!

On the one hand the accidents is being described as a non event. on the other hand the statue and feast are being described as the greatest in malta! and this by the same persons!!! if it's the most beautiful statue in malta then whatever happens to it must be news. like when a mad man attacked michelangelo's pieta at the vatican sort of!

to Nadia Camilleri,

i think you should have wrote Worship not Warship. they have a totally different meaning.

Has anyone got the incident on video? Perhaps s/he would be kind enough to upload it on youtube? Thanks.

What all tis "Get A Life " Talk. As belivers of Christ ond all the saints, the CROSS is our life.
On a personal tone i care more to hear and read when and how soon the Holy Cross of St.Helen will be resrored and I will pray the Lord will help in choosing the best carpenter in the country to fix this very unexpected and tragic accident.

I still don't get what all this fuss was about. What next - a newsitem about the President's broken chair being repaired? Why is the Times reporting insignificant stories? And apparently notifying people via text messages as well? I thought this was a serious, professioanl newspaper...

@ Elenio Cassar:

The irony in it all is that you're named in honor of St. Helen...

What'sthe big deal? It's just a piece of wood in the form of a cross! And a statue representing a saint! Why all this fuss?

If we warship our saints (the real ones) just as much as we warship these statues, then Malta would easily become heaven on earth. Get a life cos this is really patetic!!

VIVA IL-GAWHRA TAGHNA IL-KARKARIZI
2008?

Everyone is entitled to his beliefs and traditions, and I feel lucky to be on an island which is so rich in both... but if only matters that can impact Malta's future were reported so enthusiastically as this, such as illegal immigration, for example.

that is good to hear.

I was having sleepless nights over that cross.

kien daqsxejn ta incident zajr ta ftit sekondi... ma gara xej kbir u m ghandux alfejn isir dan l ghageb kollu. grazzi u viva sant elena

Oh marelli how disgusted I am at all this spite in this tiny blog here....how much hdura and nies m'ghandhom'x x'jaghmlu u fanaticizmu u parrokjalizmu (oh yes.. this is parrokjalizmu too)....
ONLY IN GOZO imsieken... kemm ghadhom lura.......
oops!

PUMM PUMM PUMM IS-SALIB!!!

Who cares get a life

So what? Just get a carpenter and have it fixed. no tragedy and no news!

When I moved to B'kara 9 years ago, I was impressed how much decorations there were in the streets and I thought to myself how careful one has to be so not to hit any of them during the processions. This year they were a bit unlucky. But I'm sure it's a minor accident and should not shame the Karkarizi. I think nobody on this island beat them on street decorations especially Main Steet and Valley Road.

What a load of rubbish? It's pathetic and shows the crass ignorance of the bulk of the people on this rock! And these are comments by literate people; just imagine if the illiterate ones were able to convey their thoughts in writing! No wonder that loud noises, bangs from petards day and night rocking people in their beds are a national pastime. And these deafening noises heard over half of Malta are called celebrations! All this hell is considered a sine qua non to the village festas, be it Qormi, Zebbug, B"Kara, Mqabba, Qrendi, Gharghur etc etc etc Never mind the sick, the elderly, the babies, the cats, the dogs; all in the name of devotion to the patron saint. The louder the bangs the better; the longer they last the more reverence is shown to the patron saint - to hell with the sick, the elderly the babies, the cats and the dogs They can go and get stuffed. . No wonder that the people of this city state are at the bottom of the EU list in the field of education.

we are definetly not encouraging fanaticism but i guess some of you prefer to just ignore traditions and criticize the present maltese culture.
we were only frustrated by the fact that a useless sms was sent when usually this service is used for much more serious news. it was clearly evident that it was solely done to ridicule one of the most celebrated festa in malta...
@ clint e taliana- i have all the rights to look into YOUR forum. but i guess that now,being banned and all, you might be afraid/shy to show the general public what the 'not all the city' faithful are saying.
Amen
VSE

I cannot believe that just an article stating that there was a minor accident with St. Helen's statue cause such stupid arguments about who has the best feast between B'Kara people vs. rest of Malta.

Accidents do happen ... St. Helen's cross got broken and that is a fact... fullstop.

There's no need for Birkirkara people to boast that they have the best feast ever on the island and for other Maltese people to hit at B'Kara's people.

Surely that up there God does not organize competitions between the saints and the different titles of the Holy Mary.

So please, grow up and get a life.

I'm from Birkirkara like the majority of you. Without pointing any fingers, why are so stupid to just laugh at each other's disgraces? Why don't we look at the brighter sides, the feast went on without accidents and almost perfect. Come on, Its time when we should be cheering not pointing fingers!!
Secondly, about the guy who wrote about the fireworks....I live very close to where the fireworks are launched and we heard strong noises. However, its just one week out of 52, come on how are we to attract tourists if we keep on trying to blackmailing our own culture. However, I agree with you to a degree, there should be a more sensible time limitations for fireworks (this does not apply to only B'kara but all the country)!

Happy feast...and may Saint Helen bless us all (even city guys!)

So Clint Taliana seems to be bullying people not to voice their opinions now, by politely asking Amanda Grech not to "victimise herself by inducing (sic) tas-city people... Either the city people seem to be in an avanced stage of labour at Mater Dei, otherwise I take it as some sort of veled threat... Maaaa, should we run and hide now? Should we board our windows in fear of an enemy attack?
Grow up Clint and stick to the football forums.. At least not so many people will notice you there.

to Elenio Cassar

It s a shame for you to say ' serves them right'. it looks like that you are the kind o f person li tiehu gost bid deni. taf x jghid il malti? Min jobzoq fis sema jigi go wiccu and another saying 'min jixtieq id deni jigi daru

so I think you had better shut your mouth and kept such opinions to your self. you would have made yourself a better person.

also what is wrong with thetimes sending sms regarding what happened to the cross?
just another piece of news.

Is this 2008?????

@ Amanda Muscat - Easy solution to your pain... just don't look in OUR forum, and enjoy your feast like all the Karkarizi are doing.

Don't vicitmize yourself by inducing tas-city ppl in this.

MAMMA MIA WHY I WAS BORN IN MALTA??!!! PFFF WHAT KIND OF PEOLPLE LIVES IN THIS ISLAND!!. FANATICSM IS NOT GOOD IN EVERYTHING. I CANT BE HAPPY HEARING THIS NEWS FOR SURE. I APPRECIATE THAT ST HELEN STATUE IS MARVELLOUS. PLEASE BKARA AND CITY PEOPLE STOP THIS TA ...IKBRU!!!!!.

Heavens Almighty! And you all say that you have a life? Give us a break!!!!!!!!!
It was just a disjoined piece of wood from the cross of a statue! I bet, for some it's more of a dilemma than certain things that are happening in the world!
Pffffttt!

l-Ghuda Mqadsa tas-Salib diga imsewi u ilejla min jigi Fil-Kolegjata Bazilka taghna ha jarah kif ikun is-soltu u kif tadi il-festa issirlu it-tiswijit mehtiga !

VIVA IL-GAWHRA TAGHNA IL-KARKARIZI

Those individuals who rejoiced at the damage suffered by the statue of St. Helen are really sick... as are those who think that an incident to one of the most beautiful (if not the most beautiful statue in malta!) is not news worthy!!
Sticks and stones(and bottes sometimes!) may hurt our collective bones but fanaticism will hurt our faith. so stop it already will ya?!

@Antoine Spiteri--maybe ure right in saying not all the "city" people but i would suggest popping in a forum by valletta supporters and i tink most of them being from the "city" then comment

Thanks God that the statue is not damaged.
Viva Santa Liena

Only in Goz.... wait a moment....?!
'Only in Gozo' rings a bell. Heard that a couple of times but it seems it's NOT only in Gozo
so it goes:
NOT only in Gozo and NOT to be forgotten

Paganism and nothing else!

I hardly find this ground-breaking news that merits an urgent news flash by sms! Or maybe it could be deemed as some kind of perverted joy to a few of our football rivals across town who are singing praises of joy this morning thanks to The Times? I have always found these sms's to be informative and precise, especially while abroad, but today's urgency makes me somewhat suspicious. It's not as if this grand statue was completely desroyed, injuring scores of people!
To our dear friends who are rejoicing at this news, sticks and stones may break my bones.... but wooden relics, albeit suffering minor material damage, like the faith, can never be destroyed..

First of all everyone must keep in mind what the cross represents so please respect must be shown.
Secondly no one should make fun of unfortunate accidents especially when it regards "Arte Sacra".
Thirdly, while I understand that fireworks is not appreciated by everyone kindly note that no one forgot Birkirkara's loved ones and our friend from Valletta who lost their lives at St.Helens fireworks factory last year. Various prayers were recited in their memory and for their loved ones.Furthermore minutes of silence were observed on separate occasions during celebrations and the salute in their memory cried in the summer skies as us all.
For sure St.Helen's cross will soon regain the admirable splendour.
St.Helen protect us all !

Dear Amanda . I am from Valletta (tac city) and i wasnt happy that a statue or part of it ends up broken. I like feasts and I was present when the inccident happen. You cant put everyone in same plate... its not the first time that our feast in February ends up disrupted due to bad weather so I can say the same re ST Helen supporters that they will be happy seeing our feast stopped due to rain??? Everyone is proud of his statue but lets not be patetic please always mentioning the city people.... Belti

@Amanda Muscat & Matthaeus Grasso: you guys are really paranoid aren't you.. One would have thought that fans of the feast would have thought that this is news and not the other way round!

Get a life!

I don't think this should have been a news, if you start reporting such small accidents you will need a lot of space and paper.
I think some comments down here are exagerated and some are taking the opportunity once again to criticise the local feasts.
Thank God the statue itself has not been damaged, I'm sure the damage will be repaired in no time.

A Cassar
Attard

I, like Amanda Muscat and Mattheus Grasso, was somewhat surprised to receive this item of news as "flash news" via sms. I suspect that quite a few rivals from the football scene must have had a jolly chuckle before lunch, thanks to this all so usgent breaking news. I also suspect that this was the sole reason this sms was sent. It wasn't as if the statue was totally destroyed, injuring scores of people (God forbid) and that it was something the nation should be alerted to!
Sticks and stones may break my bones.... and maybe wooden relics, but our faith will live on..

Matthaeus Grasso

Mela anke fil festa you're the best? Football you're the best? kollox you're the best?

Wishfull thinking my friend

@ Kieth Muscat
Please make sure you have your facts right before commenting. There were 25121 admirers not 25000 as you stated.

i guess the 'Valletta based' times of malta made a lot of people happy today!:O:S shame on you, sending this useless sms to everyone!

Big deal. Now what follows? A day of mourning? Tzk...

How come you didn't change your name Elenio?

I recall years where fireworks at B'Kara feast were much more than those of this year. Also looks like Mr Elenio lives far, very far from Qormi, or else is never on the island during their festas.

There go the fanatics again! Matthaeus don't you think that damage sustained to the most beautiful statue commemorating one of the the best if not the best feasts in malta (Your words not mine) is not news worthy?
Amanda. we know you're proud of your patron saint as are all the maltese proud of theirs but yours is described as persecution mania.
Keith as for the statue of St.Helena being the most beautiful in malta. that is open to discussion because if you ask each maltese they'll say that theirs is the most beautiful and they'll all probably be right. so stop reading hidden messages in all that you read and enjoy your feasts without in any way making the celebrations hell for those who don't want to celebrate with you.

paganizmu at its best !!.......

@ Elenio Cassar ....do you really know wat is happeneing or what?? lbierah filghaxija inghata salut lil dawn lhames vittmi + inghata xi hin silenzju ukoll fil-pjazza ta birkirkara.....Ghandek idea li s-sena l-ohra il-festa ma saritx b'rispett ta dawn l-vittmi u l-familji taghhom??....ghandek idea li l-familji ta dawn l-vittmi xtaqu li jinharaaq xi nar li kin gie mahdum min dawn l-vittmi ghall festa ta' din s-sena???? GHANDEK IDEA??? jew just kellek aptit tparla fil vojt???

quoted Elenio Cassar "Ah well - serve them right!"
are we the so called fanatics OR are YOU the one who enjoys the bad things happening to tohers???

unbeleivable comments!!!!

How come this news was also sent by sms from the service timesofmalta.com gives??usually much more serious news are sent......maybe to make some people from some "city" or other happy????

No doubt this is an unhappy accident BUT also NO DOUBT this accident will be repaired soon .....AHNA L-KARKARIZI KBURIN BIL-PATRUNA TAGHNA jghid x'jghid kulhadd u hasra li jezistu nies li hadu gost bdan li gara!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think that you ( Times of Malta ) had to send this sms alert to everyone in Malta ? I think that by sending this type of message, you were trying to reticulate one of the best (if not the best) feasts in Malta.

Anyways, we still had a marvelous feast just like always, and such a minor incident didn't stop the large number of people who attended from having a great time.

Viva Santa Liena !

Ah well - serve them right! If nothing else for the unbearable gelignite bombardment that has shaken the whole neighborhood (including nearby villages) all week. The unfortunate dead (and their families) of last year's tragedy seem to have been very quickly forgotten. Shame on you all, you so-called St Helena fanatics!

still that didn't stop 25000 people from admiring the most beautiful statue on the Maltese Islands, running through the people!
Viva Santa Helena Imp. Aug.

I am extremely disappointed to hear the news that the Cross of the statue of St Helen has been damaged. When I lived in Malta, I always went to this feast and it has a special place in my heart .
However, what disappoints me most is the fact that this is all the result of typical Maltese amateurism: clearly, there were no Risk Assessments, planning and risk mitigation carried out. Was this incident waiting to happen? A lesson to the organisers.

Thanks God that the impact didn't break the arm of one of the most beautiful statues we have in Malta.