Thousands visit Ta' Ġieżu crucifix exposed on main altar
The miraculous crucifix venerated at the Franciscan church of St Mary of Jesus (Ta' Ġieżu), Valletta, was brought out of its niche yesterday for the first time in eight years and placed near the main altar.
Franciscan friar Fr Leo Ciantar explained that the crucifix was exposed in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's visit on April 17. This was also done in view of the fact that the Pope has declared 2010 as the Year of the Clergy.
Being Lent, Fr Ciantar said, the Church was extending an invitation to the public to confess on the occasion.
Asked how many people visited yesterday, he said "thousands". People even came over from Gozo by organised transport: "We couldn't even keep up with confessions."
"When the crucifix moves, the country does too," he said.
Drawing countless pilgrims, legend has it that the sculptor found the statue's head complete after awakening after a night's sleep. A debate among scholars about its author was concluded only two years ago, when Fr Ġorġ Aquilina, a historian, stumbled upon a document identifying him as Frate Innocenzo Da Petralia.
1 Comment
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
renald williams
Mar 13th 2010, 11:22
May one awake, move and visit the book of Jesus:
by taking the New Testament out of its niche from the shelf;
and place it in one’s hands, to read it all
May one appreciate what a great miracle: Christ did once and for all times;
Christ the Sinless has attracted and drawn to Himself,
those who confess to Him that they are sinners... peace and health wishes
Kwotazzjonijiet : Il-Katekizmu tal-Knisja Kattolika;
Pagna 43 Paragrafu 104
Fl-Iskrittura Mqaddsa l-Knisja ssib bla heda l-manteniment u l-qawwa taghha, ghax ma tilqax l-Iskrittura bhala biss kelma tal-bniedem, imma tilqaghha bhala dak li tassew hi, il-Kelma ta’ Alla.
Pagna 49 Paragrafu 131
Jehtieg li l-bieb ta’ l-Iskrittura Mqaddsa jkun miftuh berah ghall-insara.
Pagna 49 Paragrafu 133
Il-Knisja theggeg bil-qawwa kollha u tinsisti ma’ l-insara kollha biex bil-qari ta’ spiss tal-Kotba Mqaddsa jaghrfu lil Kristu Gesu’. Fil-fatt min ma jafx il-Kotba Mqaddsa ma jafx lil Kristu.
Pagna 50 Paragrafu 135
Il-Kotba Mqaddsa fihom il-Kelma ta’ Alla, u ghax huma ispirati huma tassew din il-Kelma.
Pagna 50 Paragrafu 136
Alla hu l-awtur ta’ l-Iskrittura Mqaddsa ghax nebbah in-nies li kitbuha, hadem fihom u bihom. Hu jizgura ukoll li l-kitbiet taghhom jghallmu bla zball il-verita’ tas-salvazzjoni.