The customary dull and cloudy Good Friday weather did not deter the Maltese faithful yesterday, who turned out in droves as different towns and villages commemorated the Passion of the Christ.

On Thursday evening and Friday morning, churches draped Christ’s painting in purple or black velvet. As is the norm on Maundy Thursday, many observed the tradition and visited and prayed in seven different churches in and around their town or village, dressed in black clothing.

Representations of the Last Supper table were on display in many towns and villages on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday is full of tradition and customs that have survived the Second Vatican Council, which changed the concept of Good Friday from a day of mourning to a day of celebration.

However, the Maltese still cling to their customs – from the anchovy pastizzi to flags flown at half mast, some of which are attached with black ribbons. Other customs are derived directly from the liturgy, such as the prohibition of the ringing of bells from Maundy Thursday to Holy Saturday evening during mass. As a substitute, a number of parishes, such as Żejtun, still mount a wooden rattle, cuqqlajta, on their belfries and clatter the day away.

Roman Catholics hold no mass celebration after the commemoration of the Lord’s last supper on Maundy Thursday evening until the Easter Vigil celebration.

Carried by pallbearers, each of the statues which played a part in yesterday’s Good Friday processions represented a particular episode on the road which led to Christ’s death.

Between one statue and another (some 10 in all), participants are dressed as biblical characters. Many processions include men with heavy facial beards in penitence, bearing a cross and sometimes dragging chains as their punishment for sinning.

A high number of those who play an active part in this week’s traditions tend to describe the events surrounding Holy Week as more enjoyable than those held around Christmas, which continues to become more commercial every year.

The only sacraments given between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are confession and anointing of the sick. Holy Communion is given only in the veneration of the Cross Service held at 3pm on Good Friday.

People who go to church tonight will find a completely different church from the one they left yesterday. The Altar of Repose is gone, as are the statues. The high altar is all decorated again and there may also be red damask replacing the gloom. Helpers prepare to assemble the statue of the Risen Christ.

In the meantime, a group of women will have begun washing the floor, after which the chairs are put back in place. This transformation is carried out by hundreds of volunteers around the islands, who dedicate their Holy Saturday to helping dismantle Good Friday and assemble the start of Easter celebrations and Christ’s resurrection.