I agree with Alex Caruana Carabez and his well-written views on the Żejtun feast and the true meaning of the death of exemplary people like Fr Eric Overend.

According to our faith the death of a Christian is the resurrection to a new life. Therefore there is a certainty that Fr Eric and any Christian who seeks to follow the teachings of Jesus on earth will after death enjoy the beatific vision of Jesus. Hence while Jesus is the source of joy on earth despite any suffering, how much more is He the source of joy in heaven? Fr Eric would be delighted to see his parish celebrating within acceptable dignified limits.

The cancellation of the Żejtun feast was also recently discussed in TVAM. Pamela Hansen was correct when she stressed the fact that the feast is primarily a religious feast. There would be no feast without the Church. Therefore this fact has to be kept in mind and respected while considering the social aspect of these events.

Festas should be an outward expression of the people’s faith and this can only – where still non existent – be instilled in organisers and participants by the Church. The Cana wedding celebration and the basic significance of this Gospel episode for instance can provide the ideal context for a convergence. The festa when celebrated with dignity, together with the beautiful decor of our churches, testify to the reality that our religion is a joyful religion because there is no authentic joy as the joy presented to us by our faith when we “do what He says”.

There is a valid reason to suspend a festa if behaviour is not in line with established ethical guidelines but there is no reason to suspend a festa because of the passing away of a holy person. We have to keep in mind that although we are deprived of a physical presence this person is now enjoying the supreme presence of God.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies: and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26.