St Publius in the Litany

I refer to the weekly column On The Dot (June 8) under the subtitle Omission.

The author referred to the Episcopal consecration of Mgr Joseph Spiteri, the new Apostolic Nuncio for Sri Lanka, particularly to the repeated omission of the invocation of St Publius in the chant of the Litany of the Saints.

It is to be clarified that, ironically enough, the first omission of this kind occurred during the Episcopal consecration of Mgr Paul Cremona, and when the attention was brought to this omission the unofficial reply was that it was unintentional.

However, it happened again and one tends to query whether this time it was a genuine omission or otherwise. The point made by the author of the column, asking the Curia to explain, is supported by many, as otherwise, it gives rise to conclusions, that is, whether the Maltese Ecclesiastical authorities really believe in what is stated in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28, 1-10.

It is pertinent to recall the cult of St Ġorġ Preca for St Publius. He made it a point, every year, to call at the Floriana parish church on the liturgical feast of St Publius to say Mass. This shows the keen devotion St Ġorġ Preca had to one of our patron saints. Unfortunately, his example is not given the importance it deserves by the local Church. It is not possible to list all the occasions when the intercession of St Publius was invoked in the past, particularly to curb the spread of epidemic diseases, and during religious conflicts, to mention two examples.

In the same weekly column, the author also stated that a solemn concelebration would be held on June 29, at St John Square, Valletta, to mark the end of The Pauline Year. That evening the statue of St Paul will welcome the statue of St Publius, which will be brought in procession from the Floriana parish church.

The national celebration, taking place later on this month, can be considered as a prelude to the celebration taking place in the coming year to mark the fourth centenary of the declaration of St Publius as one of the patron saints of Malta, by Bishop Tommaso Gargallo.

Finally, I would suggest that the Curia should circulate clear directives to all parishes in Malta and Gozo, urging them to include the invocation of St Publius, St Ġorġ Preca, the blessed Ignatius Falzon and Maria Adeodata Pisani in the chant of the Litany of Saints.