The oldest feature that has graced Maltese hospitals was yesterday transported to the new Mater Dei Hospital as part of the migration process from St Luke’s.

The feature is not machinery or medical equipment, but a 16th century crucifix that has been a permanent fixture in the main hospitals on the island throughout the past four centuries.

The crucifix was until yesterday housed at the St Luke’s Hospital chapel, and has given solace to countless worshippers in their hour of need as they despaired over their own or their loved one’s condition.

It was its turn yesterday to leave St Luke’s once and for all, and to take its place above the tabernacle in the main chapel at the Mater Dei.

The 16th century crucifix was first housed at the Sacra Infermeria, a hospital run by the Knights of St John, which was built in 1574. The building, which is now the Mediterranean Conference Centre, was renamed Hopital Militaire during the French occupation of 1798-1800 and until 1918 served as a station hospital for the British Military.

The crucifix was then transferred to the Floriana Central Hospital, the present premises of the Police General Headquarters. It was then placed in the St Luke’s Hospital chapel when it started operating after World War II. The crucifix was kept for veneration at the chapel which is run by the Franciscan Capuchin Friars.

Work on the transport of the cross started at 8.30am and it reached its new sanctuary at 3pm. Health Minister Louis Deguara presided over a short ceremony in the presence of the Director of General Health Care Services John Cachia, Mater Dei chief executive officer Marion Rizzo and Fr Bernard Mangion OFM from the Hospital Chaplaincy Service.

Fr Mangion read extracts from the Dialogue of St Francis with the Holy Cross and Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter Salvivici Doloris.