Ash Wednesday Procession and Mass
The Collegiate Church of St Lawrence in Birgu has an intimate connection with the Order of Malta. It was their first Conventual Church from the time of them arriving in Malta in 1530 until they moved to Valletta in 1571.
As in previous years, the Archpriest Canon Karm Busutill and the Collegiate Chapter invited the Members of the Maltese Association of the Order to commemorate with them the liturgy of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The Vice President of the Council, Dame Helene Zammit led the Members present. In attendance was also Fra Francis Vassallo.
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The evening began with a procession of the revered Reliquary of the Vero Legno, leaving the Monastery of Santa Scolastica to the St Lawrence Conventual Church. The Reliquary was donated to the church by Inquisitor Paolo Passionei in 1753 and consists of 20 relic theca and a filigree pectoral cross with the relic of the Vero Lignium, a scald from the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The face of Christ is said to mirror the face on the veil of the Veronica revered in Rome.
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Archpriest Canon Karm Busutill was the main celebrant. In his homily he reminded those present of the need of penitence while receiving on their heads ashes as a vivid reminder of their own mortality. He also dwelt on the message of Hope that is the central theme of this year’s Jubilee Year, the Collegiate Church of St Lawrence being one of those churches designated by the Archbishop of Malta for plenary indulgences.
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At the end of Mass, the public had the chance to venerate the Reliquary.
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