CHAPTER  5

The miraculous statue of Gesu’ Redentur (Jesus the Redeemer)

Devotional Sanctuary

     Without any doubt the statue which daily attract most people to it, is the miraculous statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer venerated at the Church of Senglea. This old and venerated statue has on various occasions along the years attracted thousands of people who came to seek solace for their needs.

       The origins of this statue are unknown. We have no records of who made it or when. From old documents we can certainly deduct that the procession of Good Friday started before 1714. One can safely conclude that since in those early Good Friday processions the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was used, hence this statue is the oldest among the Good Friday statues of Senglea. Hence one can conclude that it is about 300 years old. One can also be sure that from its initial arrival in Senglea, this statue always was a great source of attraction and devotion. This theory is proved by the fact that when the Fraternity decided to build the Oratory in 1727, they had already decided then to allocate an adequate niche for this venerated statue. This niche made it possible for the people to venerate the statue of Jesus the Redeemer all the year round.

       Devotees can also win various indulgences as approved by the Church for the well being of the faithful. In 1762, Bishop Bartolomeo Rull decreed that whoever receites the Kredu (Creed of the Apostles) with sincere devotion in front of the statue of the Redeemer would gain 40 days of indulgence. Pope Pius VII issue a further degree in 1802, whereby whoever visited the statue of the Redeemer on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost or in the following week, can obtain Indulgenza Plenarja (Plenary Indulgence). In those days the feast used to be celebrated with great devotion on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost but we have no records which say whether the procession used to be held too. After some years, in 1922, Archbishop Dom Mauro Caruana decreed that 100 days of indulgence could be obtained by whoever said the phase Gesu’ Redentur Salvatur tad-dinja, henn ghalina (Jesus the Redeemer, saviour of the world, help us).

       The Redeemer became part and parcel of the history of Senglea in 1813. In that year, Malta was infected with plague which was leaving a lot of victims. The Clergy and people of Senglea made a solemn vow in front of the Blessed Sacrament. If Senglea were to escape the terrible outcome of plague they promised that hereafter, every year, for ever, they would hold three processions. One with the statue of the Vergin Mary (Marija Bambina) on the 8th September; one with the statue of St Roque, on the Sunday following the feast of the Assumption and one with the statue of Jesus the Redeemer on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost. Their prayers were heard and the plague did not touch the inhabitants of Senglea. These processions have been held ever since and the procession of Jesus the Redeemer, which is held on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, has taken the form of a purcizzjoni tal-weghda (pilgrimage to satisfy the vow made by our forefather).

     While there has never been any doubt that this procession should continue to be held, there could have been changes of the particular day on which it was held. As from 1925, the Catholic Church started to celebrate the feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of November. The Kapitlu tal-Parrocca (the Chapter of the Parish) expressed the wish to start holding the feast of Jesus the Redeemer on this same day. On the 4th April 1926, the Archpriest Dun Guzepp Adami made a formal request to the Archbishop Dom Mauro Caruana but this request was refused.

The devotion towards the statue of Jesus the Redeemer is very great. This is confirmed by the thousands of persons who throng the streets of Senglea every time that a procession or pilgrimage is held. Many people, from all walks of life and of all ages come to pray in front of the miraculous effigy every day. This devotion towards the statue of Jesus the Redeemer converted the church of Senglea into a living sanctuary.

As from 1978, this feast has changed its format. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the feast were being dedicated as tridu (three days service and prayers in preparation to a feast). On Saturday, a special service for the sick and the aged is held on the church’s zuntier (parvis) in front of the statue of Jesus the Redeemer. On Sunday the procession is held after High Mass has been celebrated. The Parish choir aptly named Marija Bambina, take part in these ceremonies like it does in all other parish ceremonies.      Recently, this procession has taken the form of a pilgrimage of penance. During the procession the most revered relic of the Vero Lignum (True Piece of the Cross) is also carried. As a sign of respect, this relic is carried beneath a baldakkin (canopy).

           Pilgrimages and recent history

     Through these years, since the statue was brought over to Senglea, it remained a centre of devotion. In special circumstances it was taken outside the confines of Senglea as the case demanded. The most renowned pilgrimage was that held on the 15th May 1814. It was held as part of the thanksgiving services following the deliverance of Senglea from the dreaded plague. For this pilgrimage the statue of Marija Bambina (Our Lady of Victory) was also carried out in procession along side the statue of Jesus the Redeemer. The pilgrimage stated from Senglea’s Parish Church (il-Vitorija), passed through the city of Bormla (Cospicua) and entered the city of Birgu (Vittoriosa).  In Vittoriosa the statue was taken into the church of the Domenican Friars which is dedicated to the Lunzjata (the Annunciation). Prayers were said and than the pilgrimage returned to Senglea following the same route.

       As from 1980, every 4th Friday in Lent, the statue of Jesus the Redeemer is carried out in procession along the streets of Senglea. This pilgrimage is led by the Archbishop of the Diocese. This pilgrimage is one of the various penitential pilgrimages held in various parishes of the island during the time of Lent.

The following is more history about this statue during recent time. In 1941, following some heavy air attacks, and when it was obvious that Senglea was going to be a prime target, the statues of Our Lady of Victory and of Jesus the Redeemer were taken to the Collegiate of St Helen in Birkirkara for safe keeping. When the war was practically over, that is on Sunday the 9th July 1944, the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was brought back to Senglea.

At first the statue was transported in private way to the church of Christ the King at Paola. There three days of prayers and special services were held as thanksgiving. The statue was than carried in pilgrimage form to Senglea. Since the church of Senglea was badly damaged the pilgrimage ended up at the church of San Filippu (St Philip) or more commonly known as the church of Porto Salvo (Our Lady of Save Haven). This church was to serve as temporary parish church till the main church was rebuilt. Between 1944 and 1947, the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was kept in the church of St Julians (also in Senglea). This small but ancient and historic church was the first church built in Senglea. It also served as vice parish church between 1575 and 1581. During the post war period this church used to be opened on Fridays so that devotees of Jesus the Redeemer could have time to show their respect. When in October 1947 the Oratory of the Crucifix was again in use, the statue was transported there to its rightful place.

During these last 25 years (up to end of 1999), the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was taken five times out of Senglea on various pilgrimages. On the 7th April 1974, the feast of Palm Sunday, the statue was taken to the Independence Arena, Floriana. There thousands of Maltese gathered to partake in the Via Sagra (Way of the Cross). This was part of the diocese celebration of the Holy Year as initiated by Pope Paul VI. On Saturday 2nd October 1982, a joint pilgrimage was held by the parishes of Cottonera (the parishes of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua), as part of the preparation for the Holy Year of Redemption.

During this same holy year, exactly on the 20th March 1983 (Passion Sunday), the statue was taken to Valletta. The pilgrimage started from the church of  Santa Marija tal-Portu Salvu (Holy Mary of Save Haven) or as is most commonly known of San Duminku (St Dominic), which is the Domenican parish church, and ended up in front of St John’s Co Cathedral where the Way of the Cross was said. On Wednesday 8th April 1998, following a request by the Drydocks Council and subsequent approval by the Curia, the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was carried by the dockyard workers themselves, during a pilgrimage organised inside the Drydocks. This pilgrimage was organised in such a way as to follow the stations of the Way of the Cross. The last time the statue of Jesus the Redeemer left Senglea was on Monday 7th June 1999. This time, on the occasion of the year dedicated to the aged, the statue was taken to the old people’s home of San Vincenz de Paule (St Vincent de Paule). There a special celebration for the benefit of the residents of this home was organised.

During these occasions, one could openly see the great devotion the people of Malta have towards the statue of Jesus the Redeemer. This attraction continues and many people keep on showing their love and come to visit Jesus the Redeemer in all their particular needs.

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