The restored Crucifix and Our Lady of the Rosary.

Two statues, one of the Crucifix and the other of Our Lady of the Rosary, found at St Dominic parish church in Valletta, were recently restored by Manwel Zammit of Marsaxlokk. The restoration of the wooden cross was by Frankie Micallef of Valletta.

The Crucifix, sculpted in wood by Giuseppe Mazzeo da Vizzini in 1615, was first put up on the main altar of the old church built in 1571. When the old church was dismantled to make way for the present church, the Crucifix was taken to the convent dormitory. Old photographs preserved at the church show the Crucifix behind an altar and lit all year round.

When World War II broke out, the Dominicans feared that the church would be destroyed, thus making a vow to the miraculous Crucifix that if the church survived enemy action, they would transfer the cross to the side chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows to replace another one made of papier mache now hanging in the sacristy.

In fact, the church was not hit and the friars, dressed in their Dominican habit with red stoles, transferred the Crucifix from the convent to the church in procession where a great celebration was held.

The restored Crucifix was this year put up on the main altar during Lent for the adoration of the faithful.

The statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, also by Mazzeo da Vizzini, has been dressed in fine cloth by the archconfraternity of the Holy Rosary even though it is sculpted in wood.

During World War II, the oratory where the statue was kept was hit by bombs, with Baby Jesus carried in the arms of Mary being destroyed. The statue, however, survived the attack. The statue of Baby Jesus was replaced by another sculpture by Censu Apap.

Last year the archconfraternity inaugurated a new gold-embroidered dress for the statue, by Joseph Pace .

Historical information was provided by parish priest Michael Camilleri, op