On May 14, Times of Malta published an advertisement with the heading ‘Don Bosco amongst us’, which was nothing more than a display of an urn! The “official programme” included “worship by the faithful at St Patrick’s, Sliema”, a “carcade to Ta’ Pinu”, an “aux flambeau procession from Dingli Circus” as well as “the patronage” of the President of a supposedly secular State.

A month ago, the same newspaper advertised the “worship of the relic of St Faustina”. Last summer, it was the worship of the “arm bone” of St George and of “the blood” of St Lawrence. There was also the “worship” of something connected to Dun Ġorġ.

“What would Jerome say,” wrote Erasmus, “could he see the Virgin’s milk exhibited for money; the miraculous oils; and the portions of the true cross, enough, if collected, to freight a large ship?”

For some Catholics, the teachings of Jesus are not enough. They need sideshows to uphold their faith.

“If religious teachings were simple and clear,” wrote a French parish priest in his testament to his parishioners, “they would have fewer attractions for the ignorant. They need obscurity, mysteries, fables, miracles and incredible things.”