The devotion of the Way of the Cross started in the parish of Senglea in the 18th century, when the permission for its institution was granted by Bishop Vincenzo  Labini. The fourteen Stations

Of  the Cross are believed to have been painted by Francesco Zahra. Several of them were

damaged  in the last war and the 10th station was fully repainted by Carmelo Spiteri, after it

had been irreparably wrecked.

The first antependium for the high altar in this collegiate  church,  had been cast in 1865 by the brother silversmiths Busuttil on a design Vincenzo Bonnici.

Besides this antependia, the collegiate church of Senglea also boasts a silver antependium for every  altar  executed in the last years of the 19th century and the early  years of the 20th. Senglea -born Master Michele Degiovanni  designed some of them, among which those of the altars of St. Anne, the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Carmel.  Other antependia belong to the altars Our Lady of Sorrows, the Sacred Heart, the Holy Trinity, St. Francis, Our Lady of the Rosary St. Joseph and Our Lady of the Chain.

All the altars of the Senglea Basilica, are adorned with silver candlesticks, statuettes of saints, Gloria cards, missal covers and silver sanctuary lamps.

Some of the most beautiful silver Gloria cards shown here, belonging to the altar of the Sacred Heart were cast in the 19^th century, while the date 1758 is displayed on the Gloria cards of the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The Insigna of the Basilica

The big umbrella formed from alternating yellow and red stripes from which hang fringe-adorned pendants of opposite colour to the stripes, denotes the status of a basilica. Red and yellow were the old colours of Rome and the Roman Senate. These hues, as well as the silk refer to Rome and the Papacy, and hence denote the connection between the Basilica, the Holy See and the Papacy. The big umbrella is borne open in the procession held at Senglea by a specially appointed carrier wearing exceptional livery. When not carried in procession, the umbrella is placed closed on the chancel. At Senglea this big umbrella was inaugurated on the feast of Mary’s Crowning in September, 1921.

The Small Bell

The Maltese word tintinnablu is derived from the Latin word tintinnare, meaning to ring’. Hence it consists of a small bell suspended from a rather large decorated hanger on top of a pole. The bell is rung three times by means of a string by its bearer at street  corners, Originally such a bell was carried in Station Processions at Rome to announce their arrival. In a procession this bell is carried before the big umbrella by a bearer wearing festive garments. When not used in a procession, it is placed on the chancel. At Senglea this bell was used for the first time on the feast of Mary’s Crowning  in September, 1921.

The processional  Clergy cross boasts an exceptional design. The cross, in a Latin form is 212cm tall. On top of the crucifix there is the usual scroll with the letters INRI.  The base consists of a Corinthian style triangle adorned with three small angels on each side. Mary’s monogram encircled with twelve stars, the Papal tiara and the emblem of the Collegiate.

This gilt monstrance - 60cm tall - consists of a closed cube adorned by four small angels, dome shaped, Mary’s  monogram as a final, surrounded by twelve stars. The cube’s lower tier is decorated with emblem of the sun, the moon, Senglea, and the collegiate. The upper part is adorned with medallions of the Sacred Heart  of Jesus and Mary, and the Immaculate Conception, On the main façade there are the relics of the Madonna and St Joseph.  This masterpiece probably dates from the first decade of the 20 century.

The  silver  sanctuary lamp of the main altar and

one of the old crystal chandeliers that are hung in the aisles.

The vestry  erected in 1720 was one f the most beautiful vestries in the Maltese Islands. It contains baroque lockers  probably manufactured in 1728. To date these lockers grace the present church. They are embellished by exquisite carving works and include five showcases accommodating liturgical articles that in the past were made use of in this church.

In the vestry there are also two statues one made of wood and one of papier mache.

The papier mache statue is that of St Joseph which was made by Girolmu Darmanin in 1878.

The wooden statue is that of the Immaculate Conception and was made in 1804 by Marjanu Gerada.

This church boasts a fairly considerable assortment of chalices gifted by the numerous bishops and priests that some time or other served in this parish. Some of these chalices date back to the 18th century.

There is also a collection of antique silverware, including old fraternities’ medallions, basins and other articles, among which a pyx donated by parish priest Don Cosimo Talavera in 1634. These will be on show during Festa time.

The Capitular Hall

In the capitular hall which accommodates several cherished relics, including the old titular altarpiece, painted in 1850 by Tommaso  Madiona, expenses defrayed by the Senglea clergy Sodality.

Among the other canvases are included those representing St. Jerome, Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, Pope Pius IX,  St Sebastian Martyr;  Our Lady of the Girdle, the work of Stefano Erardi, and the Guardian Angel, painted by Francesco Zehra.

Other pictures include the paintings of Bishop Gaetano Forno, Senglea first Archpriest Don Salvatore Bonnici, Grand Master De Rohan and Bali Giacchino Britto, Ambassador of,the Order.  Two other pictures display the coats—of arms and portraits of several canons of the collegiate. Among these pictures number seventy portraits and one hundred and thirty different heraldic bearings of canons.

Among the pictures in the hall, is the portrait of Benedict XV the pontiff who on May 1, 1920, issued the decree of the Crowning of Senglea’s titular statue. The portrait of Archbishop Dom Mauro Caruana hangs here, for it was during his term of office that two very important events took place at Senglea: the Crowning of the Virgin Mary in 1921, and the dignity of Basilica given to Senglea parish church in the same year.

Three other treasured canvases feature the three Senglea bishops that served in the Maltese diocese: Bishop Ferdinando Mattei,  Bishop Salvatore Gaffiero and Bishop Emanuele Galea.