The Malta Independent on Sunday
Two new developments for this year’s Qormi Good Friday procession
Joseph F. Grima The Qormi Good Friday procession dates back to at least the first half of the 18th century and, during all these years, participation has always been restricted to males – men and boys – except for a few years during which young girls formed part of a choir that used to sing hymns in front of the statuary group of The Crucifixion. Last year, young girls started participating by carrying scrolls, passion emblems, etc. This year will witness a development in the procession’s participants: for the first time, women will be taking part. Another development is concerned with the way that the statue of Christ’s Burial, popularly known as The Monument, will be carried in procession.
Female participation
The organising committee has decided in favour of female participants by intro- ducing a number of female groups and single participants spread over a few years. This was not possible in the past for a number of reasons, including the lack of adequate spaces for changing rooms for males and females. This introduction of the female element, wearing sober and appropriate costumes without any ostentation whatsoever, is not being carried out haphazardly or just to embellish the procession. The female personages will only be women mentioned in the Bible with a connection with the story of the Redemption or are mentioned in the four gospels as having been present during the days of the Crucifixion.
Therefore, this year will witness the introduction of a group of five women representing the Women of Jerusalem, whose names are unknown, but who were told by Jesus, according to the Gospel of St Luke: ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.’ This group will precde the statuary group comprising Jesus, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica and a woman holding a child that represents the Women of Jerusalem.
Next year will see the introduction of another group of five women who were with Our Lady at the time of Christ’s burial and who are known either by name or some other indication in accordance with the writings of the four gospels. They are: Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleophas, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, and a woman named Salomé. In the procession, this group will precede the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The following female participants will be introduced in the near future: the prophetess Anna who was present at Christ’s circumcision with the aged Simeon (who has been present in the procession for many years) and who praised and spoke about the infant Jesus, according to St Luke; two Jewish servants of the high priest who, according to St Matthew, recognised St Peter as a follower of Jesus but who then proceeded to deny Him; and Claudia Procula, Pilate’s wife, who sent him a message to “have nothing to do with that just man”, meaning Jesus.
From the Old Testament (I Kings, Chap. 21), there will be the introduction of Queen Jezebel, King Ahab’s consort, who conspired with her husband to condemn to death Naboth, the owner of vineyards they coveted, on false testimony. Likewise, Christ was also condemned to death by the Sanhedrin on false testimony. The figure of King Ahab has been present for many years in the procession.
Carrying the Statue of the Burial of Christ
Traditionally, this statue used to be carried by six bearers under the statue and hidden from view by a velvet cur- tain right round the four sides for the statue. When restoration and embellishment works were carried out on the urn in 2007, a new metallic framework replaced the former wooden one which was rotting away. But this resulted in the statue becoming too heavy to be carried and so wheels were added and the men used to push the statue on instructions from another man. Experience has shown that this method is not really practicable for a processional route that includes steep slopes, especially after a couple of unfortunate accidents as well. It was therefore decided to effect a few modifications so that the statue will be carried by eight men in the manner of the other eleven statues of the procession. This new method will be introduced this year.