Ingratitude towards Dominicans

For the fourth time in 30 years, the stone statue of St Dominic in Vittoriosa, has been daubed with paint. It was an insult to one of the great saints of the Church, to the Church in Malta, and, most of all, to the community of Dominican friars of Vittoriosa.

The friars have served the population of Vittoriosa for nearly 500 years with utmost humility and dedication. In difficult times, they were always there to assist the seafarers, merchants, and the people working in the dock areas around Vittoriosa, in their spiritual and physical needs.

During World War II, when everybody left the area to seek refuge in less dangerous areas, and the friars' church and convent were destroyed by enemy bombing, they stayed behind to serve from the Inquisitor's Palace in medieval conditions.

Despite this, there are still people who, for some reason or other, cannot appreciate the friars' service and dedication. One must remember that for five centuries there was never one street in Vittoriosa which bore the name of St Dominic or any other Dominican saint. When a narrow street was re-named, there were protests from residents.

St Dominic was such a humble personality that he even refused to have churches dedicated to him, and in fact, all churches served by the Dominican friars are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Yet, many Dominican friars have left their mark on the Church: St Albert the Great, St Thomas Aquinas, both great theologians, and St Catherine of Siena, St Vincent Ferreri, St Rosa of Lima, as well as great reformers like Savonarola, were all Dominican friars.

The Dominicans of Vittoriosa are there to stay for many years to come. Hopefully, this cowardly episode will get the people of our glorious city to understand and appreciate the value of the Dominican community and its humble service.