Exhibition curator Susan Waitt tells Alex Vella Gregory how she hopes the Counting Prayers exhibition will rekindle an interest in Catholic traditions.

My grandfather used to take me to Mass every single day. At exactly 5.45 p.m., we would leave the house so that by 6 p.m. we arrived in time for the rosary.

The idea behind counting prayers is to create a mantra

I would spend a good 30 minutes quizzing him on everything and anything and he never heard an entire rosary with me around. I was a terrible child. It was with this thought in mind that I made my way to Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, home to a small exhibition called Counting Prayers.

Many people know this magnificent palazzo as St Dorothy’s Convent School, which recently moved to new premises in Żebbuġ. Since then, it has become an annexe to the cathedral museum and now serves as a cultural centre, offering exhibitions, events, and a splendid cafeteria.

I met up with Susan Waitt, the curator of this exhibition. Also present are Fr Edgar Vella and Marquis Nicholas de Piro, both members of the cathedral chapter.

The original concept was suggested by the Marquis de Piro, who together with the cathedral chapter, was researching themes around which to hold an exhibition.

“The idea of counting prayers is an ancient one and is found in many cultures across the world,” Waitt says. “We wanted to highlight this important tradition with special reference to its history in Malta.”

Fr Vella explains that the cathedral chapter stepped in to help the nuns at St Dorothy move from this palazzo to their new premises. It was deemed appropriate to retain the building as an extension of the Cathedral complex, aiming to hold exhibitions combining art and spirituality.

Initial thoughts that this might just be “Catholic propaganda” proved unfounded; the exhibition goes much deeper than that and the focus is not only on the Catholic tradition, but more specifically on the local interpretation of this ritual.

A good section of the exhibition is dedicated to rosary beads, but the exhibition explores various other paths. These include the devotions to our Lady of the Rosary, the different types of counted prayers and the presence of counted prayers in other cultures.

“The idea behind counting prayers is to create a mantra, a pattern so repetitive as to enable you to enter deeper into meditation. Nowadays it has been scientifically proven that such practices help clear the mind and refresh the body.”

I am a bit sceptical of Waitt’s assertion that mantras have physical benefits, but I can well understand the mental benefits.

“The rosary has brought comfort to the Maltese in difficult times,” Marquis de Piro says.

“It was recited in war shelters during the war. Many people, especially the young, seem to have forgotten this important tradition,and through this exhibition we want to rekindle interest.”

The exhibition, though at first appearing small, contains over 200 items that are arranged beautifully in elegant showcases, with everything clearly labelled. There are some exquisite examples of rosary beads, as well as paintings, silverware, and other related items. There is also an element of audience interaction.

One of the most interesting, if gruesome, exhibits is a small scaffold complete with noose. For centuries those condemned to death were placed under the care of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary of Valletta, who would take care of the prisoner’s physical and spiritual needs in his final days.

On the day of execution, members of the Confraternity would attend to the prisoner, and would hold a painting of the Virgin of the Rosary just as he was about to be hung. Visitors can climb up the scaffold and literally experience the final moments of the condemned.

It would take volumes to go through all that is contained in this exhibition, so I cannot offer better advice than to go and see it.

As Marquis de Piro puts it: “This exhibition barely touches the surface. I hope it will serve as a platform for renewed interest in this devotion.”

Counting Prayers is open daily until October 31 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m at Palazzo de Piro, Bastion Street, Mdina.