ST. JULIAN'S CHURCH
SENGLEA
700 YEARS OF HISTORY
By
FABIAN MANGION
1311…….. When Malta
was under Aragonese domain, the original chapel dedicated to St Julian, with its
adjoining cemetery, was built. It was a few meters above sea level and facing Castrum
Maris (Birgu) on the other side of the creek. At that time, this chapel
stood alone in a wooded area, sought for hunting, which has long disappeared and
buildings today surround the church.
1539……..
Fra Diego Perez de Malfreire, Prior of Portugal and resident chief
military engineer and architect of the Order of St. John, petitioned the Council to
pull down and rebuild the old church, which was in a dilapidated state. He did
this at his expense, and to his own design and plan.
1565…….. During
the Great Siege, this chapel served as a sacramental church where services were
held and sermons preached with great devotional fervor. It was a
place of solace and spiritual comfort, besides being a refuge for the besieged
local population, the knights and the soldiers
1575…….. 19th
February: Mons. Pietro Dusina, as an Apostolic Visitor, visited this Church and
received a deputation of Sengleans who asked him to raise their city to a
parish. Until 1581, when Senglea was officially ratified as a parish, the church
of St Julian served as a vice-parish church. Don Erasmus was the first Vice
Parish Priest at St. Julian's. This was the first time ever such a title was
given to a church in the Maltese Diocese.
1588…….. Father
Vincent Caruana, who in 1592 became Senglea's second Parish Priest, gathered a
group of youngsters in St. Julian's Church and helped them in their studies at
secondary school level. This was one of the very first schools in Malta.
1612…….. The
Congregation of the Onorati was founded in St. Julian's Church. The main aim of
this Congregation was to help those in need.
1624…….. 2nd
November: Bishop Baldassere Cagliares offered this Church to the Discalced
Augustinian Friars but these Friars remained here for only six months.
1693…….. January: The worst earthquake in history hit Malta. The Church of St. Julian was damaged severely.
1699……..
Raimondo Di Domenico painted an artistic icon of St Julian, the saint who, after
Maria Bambina, the people of Senglea chose as their patron to take care of them
from Heaven. This is a small effigy showing the saint's upper
1699……. When Father Michael Testaferrata was Parish Priest, and following a petition by Don Gian Luca Caetani, the curator of the Church, it was decided to pull down the church which was in a dilapidated state.
1712……..
The rebuilding of St Julian's Church was completed following the plans laid by
Lorenzo Gafa who kept Malfriere's proportion and design in the church's facade.
The year 1710 can be seen on the Church's facade to indicate when that part was
completed. One can also see the Coat of Arms of Bishop Davide Cocco Palmeri.
Built in a Doric style, the Church is surmounted with an elliptical dome and
topped with a stone lantern with window lights.
1729……..
A small bell cot with two bells was removed from the Church's facade, and a
four-sided belfry was built instead on the side facing Two Gates Street. This
belfry was built according to the design of the Senglea born Francesco
Azzopardi. During the same period, the sacristy was also enlarged.
1730……..
2Th January: Bishop Paolo Alferan de Bussan visited this Church so as to honor
by his presence the titular feast of St Julian. He also granted an indulgence of
four days for all those who, on this day, visited this Church and recited an Our
Father and a Hail Mary in honor of the Saint.
1774……..
When Giov. Cannine Pellerano was bishop; the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
was established in St. Julian's Church. In connection with this Confraternity, a
new altar was erected and dedicated to St. Vincent de Paule, a Frenchman who had
been canonized a few years earlier.
1781……..
11th December: Bishop Vincenzo Labini initiated his first Pastoral Visit to
Senglea Parish by visiting the Church dedicated to St Julian.
1786……..
18th January: Bishop Vincenzo Labini inaugurated his second Pastoral Visit to
the Senglea Parish by first visiting St Julian's Church.
1821........
Giovanni Baptista Bonomo painted the titular image of St. Julian. The painting
shows the Saint in the Knight's garb. In background, one can see a perspective
view of Fort St. Angelo and Fort St. Michael. Above this painting, one can read
a quotation take from the Book of Prophet Isaiah: "Protegam Civitatem
Istam" (I shall protect this city)
1836........
6th May: A petition presented to Pope Gregory XVI was accepted. This petition
asked for a Plenary Indulgence for all those who visited the Church on the feast
day of St. Julian and prayed for the Pope's intentions.
1868........
The statue of St Paul on the external corner of the church was sculptured in
stone by Mastru Anton Busuttil. The statue is almost a perfect imitation
of Melchiore Gafa's statue of the Saint found in St. Paul's Collegiate Church in
Valletta.
1881........
31st March: The solemn translation of the relics of Saint Onoratus, with the
participation of the Confraternities, Clergy and Chapter, was held from St.
Julian's Church to the Collegiate.
1921........
As part of the festivities to mark the solemn Coronation of the statue of Maria
Bambina, all Collegiate Chapters were invited to participate. They were welcomed
in the Church of St Julian.
1927........
March: The Holy See accepts the petition and gives permission to hold
permanently in St. Julian's Church the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.
Permission was also granted to hold in this Church the Liturgy of candle
blessing on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the blessing of ashes on
Ash Wednesday together with the liturgy of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum.
1941........
During the Second World War, almost all the building in Senglea and around St.
Julian's Church was demolished due to enemy attacks. Although the Church itself
stood still, it suffered due to bomb explosions.
1944........
During the Second World War, the miraculous statue of Jesus the Redeemer found
refuge in Birkirkara's Collegiate Church. After it was brought back to Senglea
on July 9th, it was kept in St. Julian's Church till 1947 when the Oratory of
the Holy Crucifix was rebuilt.
1958........ 26th February: The solemn translation of the Vero Lignum (a small piece of Christ's Holy Cross), was held from St. Julian's Church to the Basilica.
1998........
Since it was in a severely dilapidated state, the belfry, built in 1729, was
pulled down and rebuilt in conformity to its original measurements and design.
The four bells and their accessories were also restored. One of the bells in the
present belfry, the one facing East dates back to 1723. The one facing West has
1905 inscribed on it. The other two, those facing North and South date back to
1906.
2001........
St. Julian's Church went through a thorough restoration from the inside.
The
Titular Feast of St. Julian's is celebrated annually on 27th January. Feasts in honor
of St. Rita of Cascia on May 22nd, and in honor of St. Anthony of Padova on
June 13th are also held annually.
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