Seven Altars of Repose Christine and I visited yesterday.
In my childhood, after the celebration of the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday and on Good Friday morning, people either in organized groups or in family groups or alone used to go round Sliema visiting the churches that had Altars of Repose stopping at each church and saying a short prayer and saying other prayers ( or chatting) as they walked from one church to the other. A similar custom was in every town or village in Malta. Where seven churches weren’t in the vicinity, they used to walk out of the church and go in again until they made seven visits. Why seven I don’t know.
Christine and I, like others who had their own transport, started moving out of their towns or villages and visiting Altars in places away from their homes.
The majority of Maltese have given up this custom, either because they just don’t care or because they prefer staying in one church. In fact parishes organize sessions of prayers for those interested. However, Christine and I have continued to practice the old habit, each time taking my camera with me and taking pictures of each Altar of Repose that we visit. I must have thousands of pictures over so many years and just today the idea came to mind of making a whole album of all the pictures I have taken throughout these years.
Thank you so much, for your looks, for your comments and for the fav's on yesterday's picture. A Happy Easter to all.
What a lovely custom to visit 7 altars/churches! But I can imagine that most people give up on it. I also think it is a great idea to make an album with all the altars over the years. It would be interesting to see if they change over time.
Great collage and the two on the right are works of art.
If I may put on my catechist hat : the seven churches (or chapels) represent the seven ‘stations’, or stops Jesus made before being condemned to death. Not to be confused with the 14 “Stations of the Cross”. It's a catholic tradition. As you know what is important is not the going in and out of churches but the reflection one is encouraged to go through before we celebrate the greatest of feasts: Easter.
From an artistic point of view many of the altars are extraordinary works of art and though sombre communicate beauty, reverence and passion of the artists who put them up. It would be a marvelous idea to gather all the photos you took along the years.
Lovely captures and an interesting tradition.I have loved being in Greece with Rosie celebrating Easter,such great traditions there too,as it is more important there than Christmas . Their Easter is next weekend.
It sounds a lovely custom to me & also interesting to visit all these beautiful altars. So beautiful & a lovely custom you mustn’t let go. I did think of the Stations if the Cross when I first started to read but realise this isn’t quite the same.
A very Happy Easter to you & Christine & all your family.
Ian
If I may put on my catechist hat : the seven churches (or chapels) represent the seven ‘stations’, or stops Jesus made before being condemned to death. Not to be confused with the 14 “Stations of the Cross”. It's a catholic tradition. As you know what is important is not the going in and out of churches but the reflection one is encouraged to go through before we celebrate the greatest of feasts: Easter.
From an artistic point of view many of the altars are extraordinary works of art and though sombre communicate beauty, reverence and passion of the artists who put them up. It would be a marvelous idea to gather all the photos you took along the years.
May all have a blessed Easter.
A very Happy Easter to you & Christine & all your family.