The devotion of the Qormi locals towards Christ the Redeemer goes back many years. Back when the old Parish Church of St. Sebastian was built, two side altars where constructed, one of which was dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. In this altar one can appreciate a painting of Jesus carrying the cross which is the work of artist Lazzaro Pisani, the same artist who painted the church’s main painting of St. Sebastian’s first martyr.
In 1984, Ms. Ganna Mifsud commissioned artist Chevalier Alfred Camilleri Cauchi to create a statue of Christ the Redeemer which for a number of years was kept in a niche in the old church overlooking St. Sebastian Street. This holy piece of art helped increase the devotion of the public toward Christ the Redeemer and recently in 2014 Parish Priest Fr. Joe Buhagiar asked permission from the Maltese Curia to get extensive restoration done to this statue.
The public’s wish was granted and the statue was sent back to the artist who originally created it with such love and passion for the restoration to begin so as to be kept in perfect condition. Friday 20th March 2015 shall be a special and long awaited day for the parishioners since a pilgrimage shall be held in the streets of Qormi accompanied by the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The pilgrimage shall commence at 6pm right after the blessing of the statue outside the old church of St. Sebastian.
At the end of the pilgrimage, the statue will enter the Parish Church of St. Sebastian for the very first time and will be kept in the church for the devotion of faithful Catholics. On Sunday 22nd March, the Philharmonic Society Pinto, St. Sebastian Band A.D. 1862 will be conducting a concert in honour of the restoration of the statue showcasing holy music and religious reflections.
The concert starts at 7.30pm under the patronage of Mons. Emeritus Paul Cremona. Everyone is invited to attend.