Following strong attendance over Thursday evening and Friday, thousands of faithful gathered at the Church of Santa Marija ta’ Ġesù (Ta’ Ġieżu) in Valletta for the annual exposition of the Miraculous Crucifix, forming part of the Lenten programme organised by the Franciscan community. Large crowds had already filled the church on Thursday evening, as it opened to the public for prayer before the revered Crucifix, with the high turnout continuing throughout Friday.
On Friday, the church remained open from early morning until 10:00pm, welcoming a steady flow of pilgrims and visitors throughout the day. Masses were celebrated in both Maltese and English at scheduled times, each concluding with prayers before the Miraculous Crucifix. A blessed holy card was distributed to attendees, while Franciscan friars were available throughout the day for Confession, offering spiritual guidance to those present.
Special arrangements had also been made earlier to ensure accessibility, including a dedicated hour for vulnerable individuals who could not attend crowded environments. Following this, the church opened fully to the general public, providing a space for silent prayer and reflection during Lent. Many attendees chose to step away from daily routines to spend time in devotion, contributing to the significant turnout observed over both days.
The event once again confirmed its importance within Malta’s religious calendar, continuing to attract large numbers of devotees each year. The Franciscan community in Valletta has now announced the next event in its Lenten programme, which will take place on Friday, March 27.
This upcoming celebration, Jum id-Duluri, will commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows and include a National Pilgrimage with the statue of Our Lady. The church will open at 6:30am, with Masses in Maltese scheduled throughout the day and English Masses at 4:00pm and 8:00pm. A Pontifical Mass at 9:30am will be led by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, followed by the recitation of the Rosary.
Later in the evening, at 6:00pm, the National Pilgrimage will be held and led by the Archbishop. The celebrations will also be broadcast on TVM2 and knisja.mt, allowing wider participation. Priests will be available throughout the day for Confession, as the event continues to offer opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual preparation during Lent.
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