Appendix  I

An 80-year old manuscript gives detailed information on the style and design of the building of the church, and on the works of art, and decorations in the Sanctuary of Jesus of Nazareth.  It is worthwhile to bring to light some of these priceless works singled out in the document which, one has to bear in mind, was written when the temple was still in its original small size.

The style of the church is Ionic, the pillars are Corinthian, and the capital- stones are carved Vignola-mode.  The design and direction of the building are proper to architect Francis Wettinger; the master builder was Charles Dingli.

The original painting of Jesus of Nazareth, destroyed during the War, which hung over the main and only altar of the Sanctuary, was a copy of the picture found in the parish church of St Mary in Monticelli, Rome, and which, in 1854, moved its eyes.  The painting, and two others depicting the hearts of Jesus and Mary were the work of Professor Attilio Palombi who also decorated the church of St Paul Shipwrecked in Valletta, and, in 1910, painted the cupola of Floriana’s parish church.

In the aisle niches of the Sanctuary, we find the Twelve Apostles which are the work of the renowned sculptor Giulio Moschetti.  The figures of St Mark and St Luke, on both sides of the church facade, were also sculptured by Moschetti who was either an Italian or a Sicilian.  On 7 May 1910, the "Malta Herald" published the following news item:  "Giulio Moschetti died a few weeks ago at Catania.  Moschetti was a very eminent sculptor, of great artistic taste.  He was well known in Malta where he lived for several years, much admired for his great abilities in the art of sculpture.  Malta can boast of having many excellent, artistic and beautiful works executed by him amongst  which, we may mention, the two stucco groups on the Elementary Schools at Hamrun, the twelve Apostles adorning the Sanctuary of Nazzareno at Sliema, St Francis at Casal Qrendi, St Vincent and the bust of the late Marquis Bugeja, the marble monument of the late Bishop Scicluna at the Cathedral, a Bas Relief representing the Addolorata Cemetery, the busts of the late Professor L. Pisani M.D., Professor Galea M.D., Chevalier Galizia, Mr Costantino Mizzi, Dr Edward L. Vella, the Rev. Tartaglia and many others.

The late Giulio Moschetti, during his stay here, gave lessons in sculpture to General Sir G. Baden-Powell, then A.D.C. to the late General Sir Henry Smyth, Governor of Malta and to Mr Laxe, late Consul of Russia in these Islands.  He also executed various other works at Catania, one of which was the very artistic decoration and sculpture of the Teatro Massimo and, lately, a highly artistic public fountain which has been much admired."

Sometime before the beginning of 1939, the Conventual Council of our Sliema convent decided that the works of the series of figures symbolising Jesus of Nazareth were to be resumed as soon as the enlargement of the church was finished.

The Council planned that:

Jesus of Nazareth was to be the central figure surrounded by a chain of Old Testament personalities who fore-ran the Nazarene, and new Testament ones who mean the fulfilment of all prophecies in Christ.

The Old Testament was to be depicted by ten figures which were to be placed in the choir niches together with twelve others to be sited in the side-naves recesses.  The New Testament was described by the Twelve Apostles to which were to be added the statues of St Joseph and St John Baptist in the two niches of the aisle, nearest the main altar.
 
The Old Testament effigies would include:

(a)             four Patriarchs: Abel, Noe, Melchisedech and Moses.

(b)            eighteen Prophets:

                                                             i.      David,

                                                          ii.      Isaias,

                                                       iii.      Jeremiah,

                                                        iv.      Baruch,

                                                           v.      Ezechiel,

                                                        vi.      Daniel,

                                                     vii.      Hosea,

                                                  viii.      Joel,

                                                        ix.      Amos,

                                                           x.      Abdias,

                                                        xi.      Jonas,

                                                     xii.      Micheas,

                                                  xiii.      Nahum,

                                                   xiv.      Habacuc,

                                                      xv.      Sophonias,

                                                   xvi.      Haggeus,

                                                xvii.      Zacharias and

                                             xviii.      Malachias.

The Patriarchs symbolise the four modes of the divine mission of Christ on earth:

·       Abel as the spotless Lamb; 

·       Noes as the nailed Saviour;  

·       Melchisedech as the High Priest, and

·       Moses as the Legislator.

 

The Prophets symbolise Christ in his missionary service among men:

·       David portrays the Passion;

·       Isaias figures the Nazarene;

·       Jeremiah, the Incarnation;

·       Baruch means life on earth;

·       Ezechiel is the Prophet;

·       Daniel, the anointed Christ;

·       Hosea, the Redeemer;

·       Joel, Christ’s name as unique species;

·       Amos, the new law;

·       Abdias, Christ our Strength;

·       Jonas figures the Resurrection;

·       Micheas, the Ascension;

·       Nahum, Christ the Meek;

·       Habacuc, Christ as Jud

© Jesus of Nazareth Parish Church, Sliema, Malta. 2001