Nidħol Ħdejn L-Altar Ta’ Alla – Ħamsin Sena Mid-Dedikazzjonita’ L-Altar Maġġur Tal-Bażilika Ta’ San Ġorġ
Francesco Pio Attard (Ed.)
Published by the Historical andCultural Committee – St George’s Basilica, Victoria

Nidħol Ħdejn l-Altar ta’ Alla – Ħamsin Sena mid-Dedikazzjoni ta’ l-Altar Maġġur tal-Bażilika ta’ San Ġorġ (1960-2010) is the name of the latest publication issued by the Historical and Cultural Committee of St George’s Basilica in Victoria. It was precisely on December 21, 1960, that the then Bishop of Gozo Mgr Ġużeppi Pace dedicated the new altar of the basilica in the presence of a huge congregation that gathered in the basilica to witness such a historical occasion.

The book has a presentation by Francesco Pio Attard, member of the committee and one of the minds behind the idea of this publication. Mgr Joseph Farrugia, archpriest emeritus of St George’s Basilica, is the author of the preface of the book. In his study he focuses mainly on the wide theological meaning of the altar and ties this theme with the historical milieu in which the altar was thought and designed by the able Roman sculptor and artist Carlo Pisi.

As a lecturer in Fundamental Theology at the University of Malta, Mgr Farrugia does not hesitate to delve into the anthropological significance of the altar even within ancient and pagan religions. However, in his article, Mgr Farrugia stresses the superior theological significance of the altar within the Christian religion.

Fr Roberto Gauci, who presently is the master of ceremonies for the diocesan bishop of Gozo, presents an interesting study regarding the historical-liturgical aspect of the altar mainly within the Christian milieu. The arguments regarding the orientation of the Eucharistic celebration are also well tackled, and Fr Gauci has words of praise for the parish’s decision to have the silver cross put in the middle of the altar during the liturgical celebration, since this practice has not only been recommended by Pope Benedict XVI himself but also helps the faithful to have a specific focus during their participation in the Holy Eucharist.

Fr Richard Nazzareno Farrugia, who at present is studying Moral Theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome, is the author of the second study in the volume. Fr Farrugia writes about the sacrificial aspect of the altar and tackles the image of the altar, the victim and the sacrifice as presented in the New Testament’s Letter to the Hebrews.

The second section of the book focuses more on the historical and artistic aspects of the new altar of St George’s basilica. It opens with a detailed chronology of the altar’s history covering the period from April 1949 to July 1967 when Bishop Pace blessed the baldacchino which towers over the new altar. Dr Eugene F. Montanaro, an authority on the artistic history of St George’s basilica, is the author of the article regarding Claudio Durante, the marble designer of the former main altar of the St George’s parish.

Paul Muscat, who holds a Masters in Art from the University of Malta, is the author of an important study focusing on the correspondence found in the parish archives regarding the commission of the basilica’s present altar.

Besides referring to the various letters and receipts regarding the altar’s commissioning by Rev. Anthony Grech Vella in the 1950s and 1960s, Mr Muscat contextualises the idea of the altar’s commissioning within the liturgical reform that took place in the Catholic Church at Vatican II and also in the light of the parish’s erection into a basilica minoris by Pope Pius XII.

This second section ends with a study by renowned young Gozitan artist and researcher Mark Sagona, whose study provides us with first-hand information about Prof. Pisi and his works and remains up to now the best biographical sketch that we have as to this Roman artist.

Nidħol Ħdejn l-Altar ta’ Alla is a must for all lovers of Gaulitana. The photos – though black and white – are clear and, as to the local ones, are in their majority being published in book form for the first time.

The book does not present heavy reading and can be read in one sitting, but one is not advised to read it in one go since it is full of theological meaning and some parts of it actually make for meditative reading. All in all, the book is a small literary masterpiece that commemorates an artistic masterpiece erected in honour of God and the Christian people of Gozo.

• The book is on sale from the parish centre, St George’s parish and from local bookshops.