SENGLEA THROUGH THE AGES - 5 & 6

     Strina (New Year Gift), invitations and presents in Senglea of 200 years ago

       The giving of presents was always a normal thing to do. In olden times presents were most commonly distributed for Strina (New Year Day). As time went by, Christmas took over as the main day for the distribution of presents. Presents were not only given to children but also to those persons to whom one felt some obligation or wanted to keep in their good books, for future reference.

       Senglea, a small parish but with many links with people in high places in our islands always followed this tradition. The following is something about what used to happen about 200 years ago, something which has never been put to print before.

       Can Dun Salv Bonnici was an Archpriest of Senglea. He was a very melodious person and strove a lot to have the church of Senglea elevated to the state of Collegiate. Senglea is still grateful for his entire endeavour. In 1787 he wrote some notes so that Archpriests who followed him would know how to act and behave in relations to their superiors.

       Fl-Istrina: A ‘skud’ and six ‘irbajja’ were to be divided between the persons who help the Bishop during the feast in Senglea. The two servants accompanying the Bishop were given four ‘irbajja’ each. The master of ceremonies was given four ‘irbajja’.

       During Easter: The Bishop was given four hens and his vicar, two hens. The people sitting on the church tribunal were given two hens each.

       Glandlora (Candlemas): The Arch Priest used to take care to personally present a candle to the Grand Master, the Bishop, the Vicar and the Governor of the city of Senglea. The Procurator of the Collegiate used to personally hand a candle to the heads of the tribunals, the jurors of the Popular Council of Senglea and to the benefactors.

       For the titular feast special invitations were issued. The Grand Master was invited every year. The Arch Priest used to invite the Bishop of Malta and let him choose which function he wishes to lead, making it a point that he can lead all functions, if he wishes so. The Inquisitor was also invited to lead a function but his invitation was issued after the Bishop has given his reply and made his choice so that the Inquisitor could then choose from the remaining functions. Official invitations were also issued to the Governor of Senglea and the jurors who served our city.

       In 1812, the successor or Arch Priest Bonnici made an amendment to these notes. The Arch Priest Canon Vincenz Cachia felt that after 25 years some change was necessary. In fact a lot of changes were made because by that time we did have neither a Grand Master nor an Inquisitor and the cost of living had increased by about 25%. So he decided that for l-Istrina, the Bishop’s assistances were given two skudi not one and a half each; the servants and the master of ceremonies were each given one and half skudi each instead of one skud and two irbajja.

       In those days our currency was made up of a skud. The skud was made up of twelve irbija and each irbija was subdivided into twenty habba. Those people who earned one skud a day were rather well but not many were so lucky.

                                            SENGLEA THROUGH THE AGES - 6

                           The inauguration of the Penitentiary Mission on the occasion of the                           

                                           consecration of Senglea’s church in 1743

      The Bishop Pawlu Alferan de Bussan decreed that the parochial church of Senglea be consecrated on the 20th October 1743. These were difficult times for the Parish Priest Dun Fortunat Vella. The parish was then in the hands of the acting Parish Priest of Pro-Curat Dun Rafel Attard. The Bishop expressed his wish that for this occasion a mission of spiritual renewal be held as part of the preparation. Padre Costanzo, a friar of the Franciscan Minuri Osservanti (Franciscan Minor) of the community of St Mary of Jesus situated in Valletta, was chosen as the leader of this mission.

       The mission was opened by a penitentiary procession which was held on Thursday 10th October 1743 and which started at 2.30 p.m. The procession started at the parish church and it was led by the fraternity of the Crucifix followed by the clergy. The vice Parish Priest Dun Rafel Attard followed at the end of the procession carrying the Crucifix and flanked by two torch bearers. The litany of the saints was recited during the procession.

       When the procession arrived at the Senglea marina, Padre Costanzo was welcomed when he arrived by boat. He was accompanied by other friars of his Order. He was barefooted, had a thorn crown on his head and the Franciscan girth round his neck. He kept the same attire for the whole during of the mission, which was nine days.

       When Father Costanzo alighted from the boat he went down on his knees and kissed the ground. The Vice Parish Priest then handed the crucifix to Padre Costanzo and told him: I am handing you the body of the crucified Christ so that you can return to me the risen Christ’. Fr Costanzo, the missionary answered; By the grace of God, your prayers and the prayers of the community, together we implore God’s help.’ While still kneeling, the missionary intoned the litany of Our Lady in a penitentiary way.

       The procession then started its way back to the parish church. When the congregation arrived in the church, the missionary went up on the platform which had a huge crucifix on it and began his first sermon. He implored all those present to convert. He opened his speech with the following phrase: God sent me to you ……. This is His will that you convert.’

       The mission went on until the 18th October 1743; this is up to two days before the ceremony of the consecration of the church.