This year the Archconfraternity of the Holy Crucifix established at the church of Our Lady of Jesus (Ta’ Giesu) in Valletta has continued with the restoration of the set of statues that are carried in the Good Friday procession. In recent months, apart from studying the texture of the statues and other relevant photographic documentation, the statue of Christ’s Scourging at the Pillar was fully restored.

As in the previous year, the work was entrusted to Fr Charles Vella, who is now known not only for the restoration of Our Lady of Sorrows but also for other artistic works, including the Neapolitan crib and other wax statues.

Fr Vella hopes that time will permit him to continue with the restoration of another statue before the Good Friday procession.

The Archconfraternity has no regular income and depends on the collections it makes during the processions of Our Lady of Sorrows, Good Friday and the special collection box fixed near the altar of the Miraculous Crucifix venerated at the same church.

During the past year the Archconfraternity has received some donations, but these are not enough. It would be of tremendous help if individuals and organisations, especially those of Valletta, could send a donation to the Archconfraternity so that the remaining statues can be restored to their former glory.

It should be remembered that most of them are the work of the best Maltese statue makers – including Saverio Laferla, P.P. Azzopardi and Carlo Darmanin.

Antoine Cesareo

San Gwann