The Holy Week and Easter in Malta and Gozo.
Holy Week and Easter in Malta and Gozo are celebrated enthusiastically and passionately. Malta is a predominantly Catholic country, and the religious aspect of the celebrations is a significant part of the culture. The Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. During this time, several traditions and customs are followed.
Easter Week
Even while the Easter season officially starts on Palm Sunday, Malta’s celebrations go during Holy Week, followed by the Easter Triduum on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. The commemorations begin on the Friday before Good Friday, with the ritual of bringing the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows through the village streets. If you want to view this march first-hand, Valletta is an ideal site to witness the historic protest. The most well-liked penitents in the procession go barefoot to observe the occasion or have big chains connected to their ankles. Holy Week continues with the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows through the culmination of the festivities on Easter Sunday.
The Lady of Sorrows
The Lady of Sorrows is a significant event in Malta’s religious calendar, celebrated with processions and other religious events. The day is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, who is revered as a symbol of the Virgin Mary’s pain and suffering during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. “The Lady of Sorrows” is a title given to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic tradition, particularly in the devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. This devotion reflects on the seven events in Mary’s life that caused her deep sorrow: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the child Jesus in the Temple, the meeting with Jesus on the way to Calvary, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the taking down of Jesus’ body from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.
In Catholicism, Mary is revered as a model of faith and perseverance in times of sorrow and suffering. The devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary invites the faithful to meditate on Mary’s experiences of grief and to seek her intercession for strength and comfort in their own struggles.
“The Lady of Sorrows” is also a popular theme in religious art, especially in depictions of Mary holding the dead body of Jesus after the crucifixion. This image is often known as the “Pietà” and has been depicted by many famous artists throughout history.
Overall, “Lady of Sorrows” acknowledges Mary’s role as a compassionate and empathetic mother who suffered alongside her son and can understand the pain of those who experience sorrow and loss.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter Sunday. All the parishes in Malta celebrate this anniversary. Palm leaves and olive branches are blessed with Holy Water at churches across Malta and Gozo. These blessed branches are waved by the faithful as they go in procession. Sacred palm trees wrapped into crosses or little branches of olive leaves are given to the faithful as a blessing.
Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent. The events of Palm Sunday are found in the four Gospels: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-48, and John 12:12-50.
Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul, as in the Palm Sunday festival celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday
In 2023, Maundy Thursday will be celebrated on April 6th. The pronunciation of “Maundy Thursday” is “MON-dee THURZ-day.” Maundy Thursday is celebrated to commemorate the Last Supper and remind Christians of the importance of service, humility, and love for one another, as demonstrated by Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, the three days commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On this day, Christians remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. Maundy Thursday is a Christian holiday celebrated by various denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and some Protestant churches. The word “maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandate,” which means “commandment.” It refers to Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to love one another as he had loved them, which he gave during the Last Supper.
In the Catholic Church, Maundy Thursday is also known as Holy Thursday, an important day in the liturgical calendar. On this day, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, during which the priest washes the feet of 12 people in imitation of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The Eucharist is also observed, and the consecrated hosts are then placed in a unique tabernacle, known as the Altar of Repose, where the faithful can come to pray and adore the Blessed Sacrament.
In addition to Maundy Thursday, this day is called Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Sheer Thursday.
Good Friday
Good Friday in Malta in 2023 will be on April 7th. Good Friday is a solemn and essential holiday in Malta. Many people attend church services and processions on this day. The Good Friday procession in Malta is a popular event. Many towns and villages hold marches with elaborate statues depicting the Passion of Christ.
Many people attend church services and processions. Many towns and villages hold processions with elaborate statues depicting the Passion of Christ.
Good Friday in Malta is a solemn remembrance day marked by several events. The Good Friday statues are removed from the churches in the morning and paraded through the streets. These statues are often carried through the streets by groups of men. In contrast, others walk alongside them carrying candles or torches. The statues depict scenes from the Passion of Christ, carried by members of various religious brotherhoods who wear colourful robes and hoods.
Easter
Easter in Malta in 2023 will be on Sunday, April 9th. Easter is a significant holiday in Malta, with a rich history and many associated traditions. It will surely be a time of celebration and reflection for the Maltese people.
One thing to remember when planning your Easter trip to Malta is the weather. During Easter time, Malta generally experiences a mild and pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F). However, it’s always best to check the weather forecast closer to your travel dates to get a more accurate idea of what to expect.
Kristu Rxoxt
Kristu Rxoxt is a religious statue that is an integral feature of the Easter parade in the Maltese village of Zejtun. The statue, which shows the crucified Christ, is renowned for its fine workmanship and accurate portrayal of Christ’s suffering.
Christ the Redeemer is the English translation of the Maltese name “Kristu Rxoxt.” The statue has a long history, with some sources stating that it dates back to the 17th century. It is built of wood and is embellished with clothing and accessories that depict the style and customs of the time.
The procession in Zejtun, starring Kristu Rxoxt, is an important event for the local community, drawing big audiences of locals and tourists. The pageant is usually held on Good Friday. It consists of a sad and emotional parade through the local streets, accompanied by religious hymns and prayers.
Is Easter Monday a Public Holiday?
Easter Monday is not a public holiday, but because it happens on the same day as a bank holiday, shops and schools might be closed.
In conclusion, Easter in Malta is a time of celebration, reflection, and tradition. Whether attending a Good Friday procession, celebrating Palm Sunday, or simply enjoying the mild weather and festivities, Easter in Malta is an unforgettable experience.
