|
Il-Ventartal ta' l-artal Maggur:
The Altar-front of the Main Altar:
Kien l-ewwel ventartal tal-fidda li qatt deher fil-parrocca taghna u zzanzan fil-festa ta' Santa Marija ta' l-1905. Originarjament kien sar ghall-artal maggur tal-knisja Kolleggjata ta' Bormla biex jintrama' ghall-festa tal-Madonna tal-Gilju. Tant hu hekk, li ghall-ewwel, il-medaljun tan-nofs li kellu l-ventartal kien bix-xbieha ta' Marija Immakulata. Gara li ghal xi raguni jew ohra, minhabba xi kwestjonijiet li nqalghu, dak il-ventartal sab rubu ghand is-Sur Patigniot. Il-prokuratur habrieki li kellha r-Rotunda dik il-habta kien Dun Ang Camilleri, li kif sama', hataf l-okkazjoni u ra kif jaghmel biex jakkwista dak il-ventartal ghall-knisja taghna, meta din kienet ghadha b'ventartal tad-drapp ghall-festa li, sabih kemm hu sabih qatt ma joqghod hdejn ventartal tal-fidda. Id-drapp tal-ventartal li ghalih qed nirreferu huwa dak stess li ghandu sal-lum jintrama' ghall-Ghid u ghalhekk nafuh bhala "ta' l-Ghid" u jintama' wkoll f'xi festi kbar ohra tal-knisja.
Meta l-ventartal tal-fidda nxtara mill-parrocca ta' Bormla ghall-parrocca taghna, kien jonqos li dan jitkabbar xi ftit, minhabba li ntsab li l-artal maggur tal-knisja taghna kien xi ftit ikbar minn dak ta' Bormla. Ghal dan il-ghan kien tqabbad id-disinjatur ta' hila Rafel Caruana Dingli biex jaghmel id-disinn mehtieg ghaz-zidiet li kellhom jikkumplimentaw id-disinn originali li kien tad-disinjatur u skultur imsemmi Abram Gatt ta' Bormla (1863-1944). Dawn id-disinji kienu jikkonsistu fis-simboli tradizzjonali ta' l-erba' evangelisti, mdawrin b'ornamenti bil- weraq li johorgu mill-kumplament tad-disinn ta' Abram. Inbidel il-medaljun tan-nofs u sar dak li juri 'l Marija Assunta u nbidlu wkoll l-armi li naraw fil-quccata tal-pilastri f'dawk tal-Mosta u tal-Papa San Piju X, il-papa ta' dak iz-zmien.
Id-disinn taz-zidiet minn Rafel Caruana Dingli (1851-1927) kienu gew moghtijin biex jinhadmu lid-Ditta Busuttil li baghtet barra l-ventartal u d-disinn taz-zieda biex jitkabbar. Dan il-ventartal kien inxtara bil-prezz ta' Lm250 u z-zidiet qamu Lm127, ghalhekk b'kollox kien gie jiswa Lm390 li jinkludi 13-il lira ohra spejjez. Il-flus biex sar dan il-ventartal kienu ngabru hekk: Lm275 minn gbir minn fost in-nies tal-Mosta, Lm90 mill-bejgh ta' flieles minn Marija Sammut, Lm20 mill-kaxxa tas-Sagrament u Lm5 mill-kaxxa tal-Qalb ta' Gesu`.
Fi zmienna l-ventartal qed jintrama' biss fl-okkazjoni tal-festi ta' Santa Marija u tal-Milied. Dari kien jintrama' wkoll ghall-festi ta' Corpus Domini, tal-Qalb ta' Gesu, tat-Tre Re, Tas-Siegha Mqaddsa u dik ta' San Pacifiku Martri.
Dik il-habta li sar l-ventartal tal-fidda ta' l-artal maggur, prokuraturi ohrajn bdew huma wkoll izejnu l-bqija tat-tmien artali l-ohra (inkluz dak ta’ Santa Filomena fis-sagristija) b'ventartali sbieh ghal festa ta' Santa Marija kif ukoll ghall-festa ta' dak l-artal li jkun. Ma ninsewx li kien fl-1860 li kien intemm ix-xoghol tal-bini tar-Rotunda u b'dan kollu, tul l-erbghin sena li gew wara, jigifieri sa l-ahhar ta' dak is-seklu, missirijietna ma waqfux jghammru dik il-knisja li kienu bnew b'tant tbatija, b'dawk l-affarjiet li kienu l-aktar ta' htiega u izjed ukoll. Lejn il-hrug tas-seklu XIX u l-bidu tas-seklu XX saru hafna minn dawk l-opri li normalment narawhom fl-okkazjoni tal-festa titulari. Fost dawn nsibu l-bqija tal-ventartali tat-tmien artali li ghandna li dwarhom se nghidu xi haga wkoll.
Il-Ventartal tal-fidda ta' l-Artal Maggur.
The silver front of the main altar.
This was the first silver altar-front in this church and was placed for the first time during the feast of the Assumoption in 1905. It was originally made for the Main Altar of the Collegiate Parish of Cospicua for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. In fact the central bas-relief used to represent this subject. However it was never placed in church and ended up at the residence of a certain Mr.Patignot. The zealous procurer Don Angelo Camilleri decided to purchase it as soon as he heard this fact. Up to then, the main altar was decorated with a altar-front made of cloth that despite its beauty could not be compared to a silver altar-front. This old altar-front is placed there for Eastertide and is known as the Easter altar-front; it is also place for other major feasts.
After this altar-front was bought from the Parish of Cospicua, it had to be enlarged, as the Main Altar in Mosta is quite larger than that of Cospicua. Therefore the clergy commissioned Raffaele Caruana Dingli to design some extensions for this altar-front to complement those already made by the Cospicuan Abram Gatt (1863-1944). These consisted of the Evangelical Symbols, surrounded by leaves that come out of Gatt’s design. The central bas-relief was changed and a new effigy of the Assumption was placed there. Finally; even the escutcheons at the top of the pillars were changed; today we find the coat of arms of Mosta and of Pope Saint Pius X, since this altar-front was placed during his pontificate.
These designs by Caruana Dingli were then given to the Busuttil Firm; this firm sent this altar-front out of the Island to be enlarged. This altar-front was bought at the price of Lm250 and alterations cost Lm127, therefore the total cost was that of Lm390, that included other Lm13. Collections were made as below: Lm275 from the villagers of Mosta, Lm90 from the sale of chicks by Maria Sammut, Lm20 collected by the confraternity of the Holy Sacrament and Lm5 collected by the confraternity of the Sacred Heart.
Today this altar-front is only placed for the Feast of the Assumption and for Christmas. In Old times it was also placed for the feasts of Corpus Christi, The Sacred Heart of Christ, The Epiphany, The Holy Hour and Saint Pacificus Martyr.
During the same period when this altar-front was executed other procurers began decorating the other altars (including St. Philomena’s Altar in the sacristy) with beautiful altar-fronts for the feast of the Assumption and for the feast of the altar.
One must not forget that after completion of the Church in 1860, during the following forty years, our forefathers never ceased to embellish the church they built with so much sacrifice with all that was needed to make it beautiful. Many of these masterpieces connected with the church’s altars were made in the late XIX – early XX century. Regarding the other altar-fronts we are going to talk about them soon.
Ventartal li jintrama fil-festi secondarji.
Gilded artal front for the secondary feasts.
Ventartal tal-fidda ghall-artal tal-Madonna tar-Ruzarju:
The Altar-front of our Lady of the Rosary:
Originarjament, l-artal tar-Ruzarju, kellu bhala ventartal tieghu dak ta’ l-imnrukkat bi gwarnic sabih ndurat ghal mieghu. Fi zmienna, dan il-ventartal qed jintrama fuq l-artal ta’ San Bastjan fl-okkazzjoni tal-festa titulari.
Minflok dan il-ventartal ta’ l-imbrukkat, fl-1980 sar wiehed sabih tal-fidda. Il-ventartal tal-fidda ghal dan l-artal, kien ilu gej sa mill-1933 tant li l-ewwel diinn tieghu kien ghamlu d-disinjatur u skultur imsemmi Carmelo Tonna tar-Rabat ta’Malta, imam dan qatt ma sar. Il-ventartal tal-fiddaa li jzejjen din il-kappella huwa ta’l-iskultur u disinjatur imsemmi wkoll Guze Galea tar-Rabat ta’ Malta. Hadmu l-argentir Tarcisio Cassar taz-Zejtun u sar ukoll bit-thabrik tal-prokuratur habrieki li kellha l-Fratellanza tar-Ruzarju, Dun Salv Magro. Il-ventartal huwa ddominat mir-riljev centrali u wahdani li juri l-Battalja ta’ Lepanto li kienet bejn l-Insara u l-Misilmin u li ntrebhet mill-Insara bl-intercessjoni tal-Madonna tar-Ruzarju. Fil-pilastri tal-gnub naraw fin-niscec l-istatwetti tal-Papa San Piju V u tal-Beato Alan de La Roch O.P. Barra mill-festa titulari, il-ventartal naarawh izejjen l-artal tal-Madonna tar-Ruzarju fl-ewwel Hadd ta’Ottubru, festa tar-Ruzarju. Matul is-sena wiehed wiehed jista’ dejjem jarah espost fis-sagristija that il-hames kapep ta’ l-apparat l-antik.
The first altar-front here was made of brocade with a gilded frame. Today it is used for the altar of St. Sebastian for the Titular Feast.
In 1980 a silver one replaced this altar-front. The idea for this came in 1933 when designer and sculptor Carmelo Tonna from Rabat did the design, but it never came into being. Joseph Galea of Rabat, Malta designed the present altar-front. Tarcisio Cassar of Zejtun also made it on commission of Fr. Salv Magro. The central panel that shows the Battle of Lepanto dominates this altar-front; a battle won by the Christians and that lead Pope Pius V to establish the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. On the sides there are the statues of Dominican Pope Saint Pius V and the Blessed Alain de la Roch O.P. Apart from being on display during the feast of the Assumption, this artistic altar-front is on display on the First Sunday of October, feast of our Lady of the Holy Rosary. During the year it is kept in the aforementioned sacristy, under the showcase with the five capes.
Il-Ventartal tal-fidda ta' l-Artal tar-Ruzarju: Il-Ventartal tal-fidda ta' l-Artal ta' San Pawl:
The silver front of the altar of Our Lady of the Roasary: The silver front of the altar of Saint Paul:
Ventartal tal-fidda ghall-artal ta’ San Pawl:
The Altar-front of St.Paul:
L-ewwel ventartal li sar ghal din il-kappella kien wiehed ta’ l-imbrukkat mill-isbah. Snin ilu kien jintrama ghall-festa tal-Konverzjoni ta’ San Pawl. Imma ghal Santa Marija, kien jintrama l-ventartal tad-drapp ta’ l-imbrukkat li kien il-ventartal original ital-kappella ta’ San Guzepp, billi dan ghandu gwarnic isbah. Fl-1986 sar ghall-artal ta’ din il-kappella ventartal tal-fidda fuq id-disinn tal-pittur Zejtuni Tuse’ Busuttil. Hadmu l-argentier Tarcisio Cassar taz-Zejtun u sar bit-thabrik ta’ Dun Salv Magro li kien il-prokuatur ta’ din il-kappella. Fil-panew wahdieni li jiddomina f’nofsu, naraw in-Nawfragju ta’ l-Apposstlul Missierna f’Malta. Maz-zewg pilastri li jidhru fil-gnub hemm l-istatwetti ta’ San Luqa Evangelista u ta’ San Publiju l-Ewwel Isqof ta’ Malta. Jintrama’ ghall-festa ta’ Santa Marija u dik ta’ l-10 ta’Frar. Matul is-sena jinzamm espost fis-sagristija ta’ fejn hemm il-bomba.
The first altar-front in this chapel was made of fine brocade. Usually it used to be displayed for the feast of the conversion of St.Paul (25th January). But for the Titular Feast the first altar-front of St.Joseph was used as it had a more beautiful frame. The present altar-front was made in 1986; it is made of silver on the design of Zejtunian Toussaint Busuttil. It was also worked in Zejtun by Tarcision Cassar , with the initiative of Fr. Salv. Magro, procurer of this altar at the time. The central and only panel represents the Shipwreck of Saint Paul on the Island of Malta. The statues on the side show St. Luke the Evangelist and Saint Publius , Malta’s first bishop. During the year, it is kept in the left-hand sacristy.
Il-Ventartal ta’ l-artal tal-kurcifiss:
The Crucifixion Altar-front:
Dan il-ventartal sabih tal-metall sar ghall-habta tal-bidu tas-seklu li ghadda fi zmien li kien prokuratur ta’ l-Agunija, Dun Karm Gauci. Rigward id-disinn, dejjem inghad li huwa disinn maghzul mill-katalgu ta’ fabbrika Taljana li kienet tahdem dan it-tip ta’ xoghol religjuz.
Il-ventartal huwa maqsum fi tliet panewwijiet ghamla ta’ medaljuni. F’dak tan-nofs jidher il-Haruf fuq il-Ktieb tas-Seba’ Sigilli. F’wiehed mill-panewwijiet tal-gnub naraw lil Santa Elena u l-Isqof San Makarju ta’ Gerusalemm jaghtu qima lis-Salib misjub ta’ Kristu. Fil-panew l-iehor jidher l-Imperatur Heraclius igorr fuq spallejh is-Salib ta’Kristu. Il-ventartal hallset ghalih is-Soldalita’ ta’ l-Opra tal-‘Buona Morte’, u dan jintrama’ fil-festa ta’ Santa Marija. Kien jintrama’ wkoll ghall-festa ta’ nhar it-3 ta’ Mejju (festa li tnehhiet mil-Liturgija). U ntrama minn madwar is-sena 1964 sas-sena 2004 fl-artal tar-Ripozizzjoni.
This White Metal altar-front was made in the early 1900’s when the procurer of this altar was Don Carmelo Gauci. It is said the design was chosen from the catalogue of an Italian firm that worked religious artefacts.
This altar-front is divided in three round shaped panels. In the middle one there is the Holy Lamb on the Book of the Seven Seals. On one of the side panels there is the effigy of St. Helen and St. Macarius, Bishop of Jerusalem venerating the Holy Cross. The effigy of Emperor Heraclius carrying the Holy Cross is found on the other side.
This artefact was paid by the Sodality of the ‘Good Death’ amd is exposed during the feast of The Assumption. It was also placed on its altar every 3rd May (until 1964),then feast of the Holy Cross. From 1964 till 2004, it used to be placed on the Altar of Repose during Holy Week.
Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal tas-Salib: Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal ta' San Guzepp:
The altar front of the altar of the Holy Cross: The altar front of the altar of Saint Joseph:
Il-ventartal ta’ l-artal ta’ San Guzepp:
The altar-front of St. Joseph:
Originarjament il-ventrartal ta’ l-artal tal-kappella ta’ San Guzepp kien wiehed ta’ drapp imbrukkat bi gwarnic ta’ l-injam argentat imzejjen bi skultura mill-isbah. Minn meta sari l-ventartal tal-metal, beda jintrama’ fit-Tridu ta’ San Guzepp (meta dan kien ghadu jsir) u fil-Milied.
Minflokk dan il-ventartal tad-drapp, ghal habta tal-bidu ta’ l-ghoxrinijiet tas-seklu li ghadda sar l-ventartal tal-metall, xoghol ta’barra (l-Italja) fuq id-disinn tal-katalgu. Hallas ghalih il-benefattur kbir tar-Rotunda, il-Kavallier Carmelo Dimech.
Fil-bassoriljiev tal-medaljun li naraw f’nofs dan il-ventartal jidher San Guzepp bhala l-kap tal-Familja Mqaddsa u l-Protettur tal-knisja. Narawh armat ghall-festa titulari u meta fil-parrocca ssir il-festa ta’ San Guzepp.
Originally this altar had an altar-font made of fine brocade with a silvered wooden frame that was beautifully sculptures. After the present altar-front was made it was still being placed for the Triduum of St. Joseph (when it was still being held) and for Christmas.
Later in the 1920’s a white metal altar-front was made in Italy on a catalogue design; Carmelo Dimech , a great benefactor of the Rotunda paid for this altar-front.
The bas relief in the middle of this altar-front there is a representation of St. Joseph as Head of the Holy Family and protector of the Church. This altar-front is exposed for the Titular Feast and for the feast of St.Joseph.
Il-ventartal ta’ l-artal tal-Madonna tac-Cintura:
The Altar-front of Our Lady of Consolation:
Din il-kappella ghandha l-ventaltar taghha tal-metall ibbanjat bil-fidda. Fil-medaljun tan-nofs tidher l-arma ta’ Santu Wistin ghax kien fl-Ordni Agostinjan li twieldet id-devozzjoni tal-Madonna tac-Cintura. F’nofs il-pilastri tal-gnub naraw zewg medaljuni tondi zghar bil-mezzo busti bassoriljev ta’ Santu Wistin u ommu Santa Monika.
Dan il-ventartal sar qisu lejn l-ewwel ghaxar snin tas-sekllu l-iehor fi zmien il-prokuraturi Dun Salv Grech u missieru, ghalhekk fuq nett fin-nofs naraw l-arma ta’ Grech. Il-vemtartal narawh armat fl-okkazzjoni tal-festa ta’ Santa Marija u f’dik tal-Madonna tac-Cintura. Dan il-ventartal huwa xoghol ta’ barra (l-Italja) u sar fuq id-disinn maghzul mill-katalgu ta’ l-istess fabbrika li hadmitu.
The altar-front of this chapel is made of metal and covered in silver. The central panel shows emlblem of the Augustinian Order since it has the greatest devotion towards Our Lady of Consolation. On the sides there are two bas-reliefs with the effigies of St.Augustine and Saint Monica.
This altar-front was made during the early XX century on commission of Don Salvatore Grech and his father. It is displayed for the feasts of the Assumption and Our Lady of Consolation. This also an Italian altar-front, its design being chosen from the firm’s own catalogue.
Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal tac-Cintura: Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal ta' Santa Filomena:
The altar front of the altar of Our Lady of the Girdle: The altar front of the altar of Santa Philomena:
Il- ventartal ta’ Santa Filomena:
The Altar-front of St. Philomena:
L-artal ckejken ta’Santa Filomena vergni u martri li hemm fis-sagristija ta’ fejn jilbsu l-qassisin, ghandu fost aqrmar iehor, il-ventartal tieghu wkoll. Huwa ventartal kollu ta’ l-injam u argentat. Ghandu disinn semplici imma helu bl-istemma tal-martri f’nofsu. Jintrama’ biss ghall-festa ta’ Santa Marija.
The small altar of this saint found in the right-hand sacristy has among other objects, its own-altar front. It is made of wood and silvered. Despite its simplicity it is very elegant and it has the Martyr’s monogram in its centre. It is displayed only for the feast of the Assumption.
Il-ventartal ta’ l-artal tal-kor:
The Choir Altar front:
Ghalkemm mhux tal-fidda jew metal, dan l-artal wiaq sabih u ghaziz, ghandu drapp u gwarnic li jiffurmaw ventartal tassew ta’ min jghozzu. Id-drapp huwa ta’ l-imbrukkat filwaqt li l-gwarnic argentat ghandu disinn u xoghol ta’ skultura mill-isbah. Jintrama ghall-festa ta’ Santa Marija u dik ta’ San Pacifiku Martri, li naturamlment f’dik l-okkazjoni ikun bid-drapp ahmar. La nafu min iddisinja l-gwarnic u lanqas min hadmu.
Although not of silver or metal, this magnificent altar is made of very fine cloth and has a beautiful frame. The cloth is fine brocade while the frame is silvered; making it a very fine altar front. It is displayed durig the feasts of The Assumption and Saint Pacificus Martyr (obviously with red brocade). However the artisan of this altar-front is unknown.
Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal tal-Kor: Il-Ventartal ta' l-Artal ta' San Bastjan:
The altar front of the altar of the choir: The altar front of the altar of Saint Sebastian:
Il-ventartal li jintrama’ fil-Kappella ta’ San Bastjan:
The Altar-front placed in the chapel of Saint Sebastian:
L-artal ta’ San Rokku, San Basstjan u Santa Rosalija qatt ma kellu l-ventartal tieghu, ghaliex f’din il-kappella jintramaw l-istandard, is-salib u l-lanterni tal-Fraatellanza tad-Duluri. Ma’dawn dejjem kien jintrama’ l-ventartal wisq sabih tad-Duluri. Dan il-ventartal bil-qalb minfuda tal-Madonna bir-raggi, irrakkmata bid-deheb fuq lama bajda, ghandu gwarnic indurate b’xogholmill-aqwa fl-injam fl-istil barokk. Dejjem inghad li huwa disinn u xoghol ta’ l-imsemmi Paolo Bugeja tar-Rabat ta’Malta li ddisinja wkoll il-pedestall tad-Duluri (ta’ Settembru) u l-gandlieri wisq sbieh tal-festa ta’ l-artal maggur.
Dan il-ventartal jintrama’ fil-festa liturgika tad-Duluri fl-artal tal-Kurcifiss. Dien jintrama wkoll ghal Santa Marija fl-artal ta’ San Bastjan, imam dan iz-zmien qed jigi espost biss fis-sagristija that l-istatwa tar-Redentur. Minfloku jintrama fl-artal ta’ San Bastjan, dak ta’ l-imbrukkat, li qabel sar dak tal-fidda, kien hu l-ventartal ta’ l-Artal tar-Ruzarju.
This altar never had its own altar-front as the Confraternity of Our Lady of Sorrows always occupied this. This confraternity has its own altar-front; white altar-front showing Our Lady’s stricken heart with rays emerging from it; a design made from gold thread. This altar-front has sculptured gilded frame attributed to Paolo Bugeja from Rabat (Malta) who designed the plinth of the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows and the candelabra of the Main Altar. This altar-front was also exhibited for the feast of The Assumption but today it is found in the right-hand sacristy. Instead a brocade altar-front is placed; before it used to be placed on the Rosary Altar.
Il-festa tal-patruna glorjuza u ghaziza taghna l-Mostin, taghtina okkazjoni mill-isbah biex filwaqt li nifirhu bit-tlugh ta’Ommna Marija fis-sema, filwaqt li nkunu fir-Rotunda armata mill-isbah ghall-okkazjoni, naghtu daqqa t’ghajn lejn il-ventartali li semmejna. Dawn wkoll huma wirt ghaziz minn dak li hallewlna missirijietna u ghalhekk ta’ min jghozzhom.
The feast so dear to the Parish of Mosta, is a good occasion not only to rejoice with the Assumption of Our Lady in heaven, but also to admire the beautiful altar-fronts in the decorated Rotunda. These are part of our forefathers’ heritage, therefore it is our duty to keep them in prime condition. |
