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Since the early
years of Christianity, Marian Cult is believed to have been
introduced in our island. Among those, who with St. Paul and
the other 275 persons on board the ship bound to Rome, in the
year 60 AD was Luke the Evangelist. His Gospel gives us
details about the Annunciation and Christ’s birth as well as
his childhood, events that had connection with his mother.
Luke did not hesitate to put in writing the welcome our
forefathers gave to those unlucky passengers on board, on
being shipwrecked on our shores. (Acts 28, 1). During Paul’s
three-month stay in Malta, the Apostle of the Gentiles,
besides the miracles as was the case of Publius’ father, also
preached Christ who was "born of a woman in the fullness of
time". It was no surprise that the inhabitants gave the
passengers everything they needed to continue their voyage to
Rome.
Over the years,
the inhabitants venerated Our Lady, the Mother of Christ, whom
Paul preached in Malta. A particular wall painting in a
Sanctuary at Mellieha (Malta) several bishops returning home
from the Council, in which Mary was declared Mother of God (Teotokos)
are seen kneeling in prayer, venerating the effigy of the
Blessed Virgin. In the rural parts of Malta and Gozo, the
Sister Island, several chapels of different shapes and sizes
were built in her honor. The inhabitants used these places for
worship. Over the years, these were dilapidated or demolished
and reconstructed. Wayside niches and stone statues reminded
the inhabitants of their devotion to the Mother of God and
other saints.
After the
coming of Count Roger of Altavilla in 1090, after long years
of Arab domination, the Christian Religion regained a sense of
freedom of worship. Chapels in ruins were reconstructed,
others were built in different sites for the spiritual needs
of those practicing Christian faith. Among those being
restored, was the chapel dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady
at Birkirkara. The site seems to have been in an uncultivated
spot of this village. In the year 1402, the large area of
Birkirkara was already considered by the ecclesiastic
authorities as a parish. The rather strange name given to this
Marian Chapel "tal-Herba" might have connection with the site
where it was built. The translated word corresponding to Herba
is Ruins, because it might have been the case of the
reconstruction of the chapel, which was in ruins.
This chapel
became widely known on account of the miraculous cure of a
paralytic who happened to be in the vicinity and heard a bell
from the belfry of the chapel to inform the inhabitants that a
Mass would be celebrated. With difficulty the paralytic
managed to reach the Chapel; and with great faith implored the
Blessed Virgin to be healed. This lucky disabled visitor felt
a new strength invading his limbs. He could stand up without
using the walking aids. With tears in his eyes he gave thanks
to the Blessed Virgin for this extraordinary grace. This fact
became known all over the island. People from all walks of
life visited this particular chapel to venerate this special
effigy. They eagerly prayed for her intercession. Sick people
were brought here, others troubled by doubts, pains,
depressions and fears prayed Mary for her maternal help.
People in peril, on land and over the seas lifted their mind
to the heavenly mother to keep them sound and safe. Graces of
all kinds are mentioned and we have documentary evidence in
the so-called "ex voti". Evidently the chapel was becoming too
small to accommodate numerous visitors. So in the year 1640,
the chapel was enlarged and decorated. The facade including
the portico and the present belfry are dated 1797. Today the
Sanctuary has the form of a Latin cross with the cupola. These
are an addition to the chapel which were built in the early
twenties.
Devotion to Our
Lady is a common factor in the lives of all saints. This
implies striving to imitate her way of life, her virtues as
well as her commitment to do the will of God by word and deed.
Church going is not excluded and it is no wonder that this
particular chapel was visited by people in authority like
Grand Masters of the Order of St John, e g. Jean Parisot de la
Vallette (1557-1568), Fra Emanuel de Rohan Polduc (1775-1797)
as well as Church Dignitaries as Cardinal Luigi Traglia (July
1960), diocesan bishops during their periodic Pastoral Visits.
Popes granted special favors to the devotees of Our Lady,
venerating her in this particular Sanctuary. Pope Clement XIV
(1769-1774) and Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) granted special
indulgences. Pope Pius VI declared the marble altar with its
peculiar "turris eucharistica" a privileged one. Bishop Fra
Vincenzo Labini (1780-1807) solemnly consecrated "tal-Herba
Sanctuary" including the main altar, where he put in a solemn
rite the relics of the martyrs Innocenzo, Vincenzo, Urbano and
Faustus. Pope Santo, namely St Pius X, issued the decree
whereby the Holy Image of Our Lady with Child Jesus be adorned
with a golden crown. (This solemn ceremony took place on the 7th
August 1910 by the diocesan Archbishop Pietro Pace and the
Bishop of Gozo Fra Giovanni M. Camilleri. The decree issued in
Latin signed by H.E. Cardinal Rampolla on the 13th
February 1910, gives interesting information about the chapel
and its history).
The Knights of
the Order of St John made special donations to this chapel.
The original altarpiece, nowadays kept on a white marble altar
in the original chapel, was donated by Chev De Pierre.
Romualdo Doz was the benefactor of the silver front covering
the Mensa of the main altar. His coat of arms can be seen
embossed on the silver adorned with red velvet. De Rohan
donated an artistic silver chalice and a complete aspersorium
for holy water. Wignacourt donated a hanging silver altar
lamp. La Vallette offered a precious ganutill bouquet. In the
middle there are two small statuettes viz. a Maltese with a
flag in his hand, holding a Turk captive under his foot.
The crowned
altarpiece, which on broad lines may be considered a facsimile
of the original one gives us a picture of the Blessed Virgin
on a cloud, holding baby Jesus with her left hand. With her
other hand , Our Lady points to the Holy Souls imploring
further prayers, yet shortly to be freed from Purgatory.. The
figure of a Guardian Angel accompanying a child and that of St
John the Baptist, Patron of the Order, are on either side of
the altarpiece
The artistic
marble main altar was moved from under the cupola in the early
nineties and placed in front of the altarpiece in the Choir
space. This is the second time of the altar changed place. The
first change took place in the early twenties, where it was
situated at the remote part of the aisle. It had to change
place when the chapel was given the shape of a Latin cross,
Under the cupola, at present there is a marble altar mensa,
and a marble ambone and chair for the celebrant during mass
facing the congregation. The main pillars of the Sanctuary
were recently covered with "rosso di Verona" and "giallo di
Siena" marbles. Benefactors are proud to see this sacred spot
embellished as much as possible.
Artistic stone
sculpture on the two lateral doors of the aisle, the one on
the left, leading to a devout oratory where the corpo santo of
Santa Vittoria and a holy crucifix, while the other on the
right leading to the original chapel where the first
altarpiece on a white marble altar and two stone statues of
the virtue of faith and hope, is really beautiful. This
sculpture here is complimentary to that on the doors leading
to this small primitive chapel.
The Birkirkara
born artist Joseph Briffa showed his talents in painting the
vaults of the aisle, the transepts, the choir and the cupola.
Of course Briffa had no choice but to develop the theme of the
role Mary played in the mystery of salvation. In the cupola,
Briffa chose to paint Mary’s prototypes in the Old Testament
as Judith, Esther, Abigail, Anna, Ruth etc. He chose the
Annunciation, the presentation of Baby Jesus at the temple in
the presence of Simon, Jesus remaining in the temple
discussing with the wise men, the Pentecost and the
glorification of Mary in heaven, for the rest of the
paintings. His first works here were two lateral oil paintings
on the walls of the choir.
In a special
hall, which in the forties was the typical yard, we find a
collection of "ex voti". The initials V.F.G.A. mean that the
favor was obtained, after the vow was made. Here we find more
than a documentary evidence of all kinds of favors granted to
various persons who implored Our lady for her intercession in
their needs. These "ex voti" are important for their
historical, artistic, medical, cultural and spiritual value.
These merit a special mention and further study for their
implication would be appreciated. Significant indeed are the
walking aids, chains, pieces of ropes and other items which
affected those persons who were in peril, in pain, in
difficulty and in oppression. These persons mentioned by name
come from different walks of life.
Devotion to Our
Lady venerated here, is rooted in the hearts of many people
who make it a point to come and visit her every Wednesday and
Saturday, besides on other special occasion during the year.
Several couples prefer this place to celebrate their canonical
marriage. They want Mary to be present at their marriage feast
like the couple at Cana. Several mothers after giving birth to
their child visit the Sanctuary for thanksgiving and to offer
their offspring to the Lord. Special services are held on the
first Saturday of each month. These do not include particular
or personal devotions. This place was also used to hold
catechism classes and monthly meetings of the "Congregazione
Mariana" the members of the Carmelite Third Order and the
members of the "Fergha Ewkaristika". Monthly recollections for
members of the Catholic Action Movement are held here as
well.. We would like to pass to the next generation the faith
and devotion to Our Lady which was passed to us by our
predecessors. "Quod est in votis"
Infomation
taken from
www.malta.co.uk/KHS/herba.htm |
