Vetustior Glorior

L-Agostinjani f’Malta

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l-wasla tar-reli©juΩi Agostinjani fil-gΩejjer tag˙na tmur lura sewwa fiΩ-Ωmien. S’issa ˙add ma jista’ jg˙id b’çertezza meta l-Agostinjani waslu Malta. Madanakollu nistg˙u nqisu li l-ewwel g˙eruq talpreΩenza tag˙hom te˙odna lura g˙at-tieni nofs tas-seklu XIV, g˙ax dan hu l-perjodu li s-sorsi storiçi jindikaw. L-Ordni tal-A˙wa Eremiti ta’ Santu Wistin, jew kif mag˙rufa llum l-Ordni ta’ Santu Wistin (Agostinjani), kien ilu li twaqqaf bil-˙idma tal-Papa Innoçenz IV sa mis-sena 1244.

Fl-1256 l-Ordni tkabbar u ssa˙˙a˙ u sar jag˙mel parti mill-Ordnijiet Mendikanti. Sa mill-bidu tieg˙u bosta kienu l-komunitajiet fin-na˙a ta’ isfel tal-Italja u fi Sqallija. Kien minn hemm li l-ewwel reli©juΩi Agostinjani waslu fi gΩiritna.

Fil-linja tal-g˙an li g˙alih twaqqfu mill-Knisja, l-ewwel Agostinjani fitxew li jkunu qrib il-belt kapitali l-qadima, l-Imdina. Huwa fatt çert li l-Agostinjani tilfu l-kunvent tag˙hom u kulma kienu jippossedu matul l-assedju Tork tal-1429. Re©g˙u bnew kunvent ie˙or tefg˙a ta’ ©ebla ’l bog˙od mill-˙itan tal-belt tal-Imdina. Dan il-kunvent twaqqa’ mill-Maltin f’Lulju 1551 waqt ittheddida ta’ assedju ie˙or mit-Torok fuq Malta. Ir-ra©uni g˙al dan kienet li l-kunvent kien viçin wisq il-˙itan tal-belt u li t-Torok setg˙u juΩawh g˙al skopijiet militari. F’din il-©rajja l-Agostinjani re©g˙u tilfu kollox u sabu rwie˙hom ji©©errew u jittallbu ˙obΩhom. Tradizzjoni turi li s-salib talinjam fuq kolonna tal-©ebel fil-©nien ta’ quddiem l-Imdina jindika l-post fejn kien jinsab dan il-kunvent.

L-Agostinjani kellhom jistennew sat-28 ta’ Awissu 1555 biex jing˙ataw ming˙and il-Kapitlu Katidrali l-kappella Ωg˙ira ta’ San Mark u ftit djar im©arrfa li kienu jmissu mag˙ha. Din kienet tinsab fuq is-Saqqajja, barra l-Imdina. Din id-data hi importanti fl-istorja tal-Agostinjani f’Malta g˙ax meqjusa b˙ala l-waqt ewlieni ta’ bidu ©did u li minnu, ming˙ajr interruzzjonijiet, inbniet il-preΩenza solida tal-Agostinjani f’Malta u G˙awdex sa Ωminijietna.

The Augustinians in Malta The Augustinian Order was established in 1244. The precise date of arrival of the Augustinians in Malta is not certain, though it appears that they had established a presence by the second half of the fourteenth century.

During the Turkish Siege of 1429, the Augustinian Friars lost their first priory as well as all their belongings. They built another priory just outside the Mdina bastions. This priory was destroyed in 1551 by the Maltese themselves for fear that, with an impending Turkish siege, the priory would have been taken over by the Turks for military purposes, in view of its strategic location. On the 28th August 1555, the Cathedral Chapter donated to the Augustinian Order the chapel of St. Mark and a number of adjoining dilapidated houses at Saqqajja.

Il-Kunvent San Mark

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innufih ing˙ata bidu g˙all-pro©ett li kellu jibdel ix-xenarju tas-Saqqajja tas-seklu XVI. Minn kappella çkejkna u ftit djar im©arrfa kellha tinbena knisja u kunvent sabiex fihom l-patrijiet jaqdu l-missjoni tag˙hom g˙axxandir tal-Kelma. Ix-xog˙ol g˙all-ippjanar tal-kunvent ing˙ata lil Ìlormu Cassar. IΩda ftit li xejn g˙andna ˙jiel ta’ kif kien il-kunvent. Matul iΩ-Ωminijiet saru diversi interventi fuq il-binja ta’ Cassar u fl-1739 l-Agostinjani ˙assew il-bΩonn ta’ kunvent ikbar sabiex jaqdi l-˙ti©ijiet tag˙hom a˙jar. Il-kunvent attwali, ©awhra arkittetonika, je˙odna g˙al-ewwel nofs tas-seklu XVIII.

St Mark’s Priory Girolamo Cassar was engaged to design a larger Church and Priory in order to enable the Augustinian Order to carry out its mission in Malta. Over the years, a number of modifications were carried out and in 1739, the Church and Priory were constructed under the supervision of Andrea Belli. St. Mark’s Priory is a baroque architectural gem which, to date, serves as a centre of evangelisation and spiritual formation of Augustinian vocations. Its antiquity evidences its glory over the passage of time, which is why its motto is Vetustior glorior.

Il-perit Andrea Belli kien il-mo˙˙ wara din il-binja, xempju mill-isba˙ tal-barokk malti. Matul iΩ-Ωmen kien hemm interventi minn arkitetti o˙rajn. Il-pjanijiet ta’ Belli ntg˙aΩlu fost ta’ o˙rajn fuq parir tal-arkitett Ruman Valvassori b’approvazzjoni tal-Pirjol Ìenerali tal-Ordni f’Ruma. Bil-mod il-mod, il-kunvent ’il barra mill-Imdina, illum fir-Rabat, sar il-qalba tal-preΩenza Agostinjana, il-post tal-formazzjoni reli©juΩa ta’ dawk li ˙adnu l-˙ajja mfassla fuq l-ideal ta’ Santu Wistin u tal-iskola filosofika u teolo©ika tal-Ordni f’Malta.

MaΩ-Ωmien ing˙ata t-titlu ta’ conventus maior u tul l-istorja kien deskritt b˙ala domus celeberrima g˙all-osservanza ta’ ˙ajja reli©juΩa. Il-motto tieg˙u huwa: vetustior glorior g˙ax l-antikità tieg˙u hi xhieda tal-glorja tieg˙u mal-mixja taΩΩminijiet. Illum dan il-kunvent g˙adu jaqdi l-missjoni tieg˙u b˙ala post ta’ evan©elizzazzjoni u dar ta’ formazzjoni g˙allΩg˙aΩag˙ li lesti j˙addnu l-˙ajja reli©juΩa Agostinjana.

Hekk kif wie˙ed jersaq lejn Misra˙ Santu Wistin jintlaqat mill-binja maestuΩa u barokka. Il-faççata tal-kunvent toffri armonija g˙al ˙arsa li tixtieq timra˙ fuq l-abiltà talimg˙allmin tal-©ebla maltija. G˙alkemm il-bini ta’ quddiem ilkunvent jostakola viΩjoni aktar xierqa, xorta wa˙da l-portiku çentrali jilqa’ lill-viΩitatur b’sens ta’ kuntrasti ta’ dwal u dellijiet. Bieb kbir, sinjal ta’ akkoljenza daqstant ie˙or kbira, fil-linja tal-ispiritwalità ta’ Santu Wistin. Ta˙t il-gallarija nsibu x-xbiehat tal-virtujiet tal-karità u tal-©ustizzja li joffru viΩjoni ta’ ˙ajja. Il-post battal ta˙t il-gallarija ewlenija, imdawwar bissimboli tal-qawwa militari u amministrattiva, kien mag˙mul g˙all-arma tal-Gran Mastru Pinto, benefattur tal-Agostinjani fil-bini ta’ dan il-kunvent. Din, b˙al tant o˙rajn imxerrdin ma’ Malta, tne˙˙iet b’digriet ta’ Napuljun fil-jiem li kien f’dawn ilgΩejjer. Hekk kif il-˙arsa tkompli timra˙ ‘il fuq, jintlema˙ skud inkurunat bl-element ewlieni tal-arma tal-Ordni Agostinjan: il-qalb taqbad minfuda, sinjal ta’ nirien l-im˙abba li biha in˙akmet qalb Santu Wistin mal-konverΩjoni tieg˙u fi ˙dan Kristu u l-Knisja tieg˙u. Il-˙arsa tinfirex fuq il-lemin u x-xellug tal-portiku sabiex tapprezza x-xog˙ol fil-©ebla maltija.

Fuq it-twieqi tal-pjan ta’ isfel hemm simboli minquxa li jridu jwasslu messa©©: il-mitra u l-baklu, sinjali tad-dinjità episkopali ta’ Santu Wistin; il-ktieb tal-Kelma ta’ Alla u ç-çintura li biha jit˙aΩΩmu l-Agostinjani; il-qalb taqbad minfuda bl-im˙abba...

Ta’ min jinnota wkoll xbieha minquxa ta’ kappella çkejkna, li barra l-valur simboliku tag˙ha, tradizzjonalment kienet meqjusa b˙ala d-dehra talkappella çkejkna medjevali ta’ San Mark li l-patrijiet kienu kisbu.

Fl-2009 inbeda xog˙ol ta’ restawr fuq il-faççata talkunvent, b’mod partikolari fuq il-portiku çentrali.

Il-Portinerija

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ekk kif il-viΩitatur jirfes fuq l-g˙atba Ωonqrija u jid˙ol fil-kunvent jin˙akem minn ambjent kbir u solenni iΩda akkoljenti u silenzjuΩ fl-istess ˙in. L-ark barokk, inkurunat bl-arma tal-Ordni, kien jilqa’ lil min jid˙ol u fl-istess waqt jifred id-dinja ta’ barra minn dik ta’ ©ewwa. Mill-bieb ta’ dik li kienet tissejja˙ “il-portinerija” ’l ©ewwa kienet issaltan il-klawsura billi d-d˙ul ta’ persuni barranin kien ipprojbit jekk mhux bil-permess. Dan sabiex tit˙ares a˙jar il-˙ajja reli©juΩa fi spirtu ta’ ©abra, talb u studju. Wie˙ed mill-frajiet tal-kunvent kien jaqdi s-servizz importanti ta’ purtinar, ji©ifieri inkarigat biex jilqa’ bl-im˙abba kollha lil dawk li j˙abbtu bieb il-kunvent u jsejja˙ lill-patri mitlub mill-viΩitatur.

Dan l-ewwel kuntatt mal-a˙wa reli©juΩi permezz tas-servizz sempliçi talpurtinar kien ta’ wens g˙al bosta, speçjalment fqar ta’ kull tip li kienu u g˙adhom ifittxu l-g˙ajnuna. Il-bibien tal-kunvent filg˙axija kienu jing˙alqu mad-daqq tal-Ave Maria. Illum dan il-bieb hu miftu˙ sabiex jilqa’ fih lillviΩitatur u lil min jixtieq jaf a˙jar il-˙ajja tag˙na.

Fil-pjan ta’ isfel insibu l-ambjenti komuni tal-komunità: ir-refettorju, il-kjostru u s-sagristija. Biex wie˙ed jitla’ fuq hemm Ωew© tur©ien: wie˙ed Ωg˙ir u l-ie˙or imsejja˙ scala regia. Il-kuriduri ta’ isfel tal-kunvent kienu saru b’aççess dirett g˙all-©nien çentrali (il-kjostru). IΩda sa minn kmieni l-arkati ng˙alqu b’aperturi grazzjuΩi li j˙allu lok g˙al ammont ta’ dawl u arja ming˙ajr ma jesponi lil dak li jkun g˙all-qawwa tal-elementi.

The ‘Portinerija’ Historically, the “Portinerija” marked the threshold between the outside world and the cloistered priory where members of the Augustinian Order retired to a life of prayer, study and recollection. A great number of persons called at the “Portinerija” asking for spiritual or material help of the Augustinians. Today the Priory is open to visitors interested to know more about the Augustinian way of life. Beyond the “Portinerija” is a welcoming yet solemn environment which includes all the amenities that are typical of a Priory such as a refectory, a cloister and sacristy. Two sets of staircases, one of which is the scala regia, lead to the second floor.

Il-Kjostru

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l-arkitettura monastika medjevali kien jing˙ata valur g˙oli lil dawk il-partijiet tal-monasteri li kienu jg˙inu lill-monaçi jg˙ixu fi spirtu ta’ ©abra u kontemplazzjoni. Il-kjostru, jew l-ispazju çentrali li mieg˙u kienet iddur il-binja kollha kellu dan il-g˙an. L-Ordnijiet Mendikanti, li fosthom insibu l-Ordni Agostinjan, ukoll Ωammew dan ilprinçipju fl-arkitettura tag˙hom. G˙aldaqstant il-kjostru tal-kunvent kellu bosta g˙anijiet: joffri arja u dawl, joffri spazju fejn jinΩerg˙u si©ar tal-frott u ˙xejjex, kif ukoll bjar g˙all-ilma skont il-˙tie©a tal-kunvent... Imma fuq kollox kien joffri spazju fejn ir-reli©juΩ kien jog˙dos fis-skiet u l-˙emda, bostra drabi miksura biss mill-il˙na tal-g˙asafar li jkunu sabu kenn fis-si©ar tallarin© u l-lumi... u hemm jit˙arre© fl-g˙arfien u fl-istudju u jimxi ’l quddiem fit-tfittxija ta’ Alla. Billi l-˙ajja tar-reli©juΩ sa qabel nofs is-seklu XX kellha ritmu differenti minn dik tal-lum, u l-patrijiet kienu jqattg˙u parti kbira tal-jum fuq ©ewwa, spazji miftu˙a kienu jg˙inu sabiex l-ispirtu jimra˙. Millkjostru wie˙ed jista’ jie˙u idea tad-daqs ta’ dan il-kunvent, filwaqt li jdawwar ˙arstu u jilma˙ it-twieqi hekk imsej˙a “tal-widna” li jag˙tu g˙all-kmamar (çelel) tal-a˙wa.

Fiç-çentru tal-passa©© nofsani hemm il-˙erΩa tal-bir, mag˙mula mill-©ebla tal-franka. L-arma agostinjana, fuq il-quççata tag˙ha, tfakkar g˙al darb’o˙ra lir-reli©juΩ u lill-viΩitatur li t-tfittxija ta’ Alla hi l-mistrie˙ veru ta’ qalb ilbniedem u li Kristu huwa l-g˙ajn ta’ ilma ˙aj.

The Cloister The cloister was a central feature of monastic architecture which fulfilled multiple purposes. It brought air and light into the Priory. It served as an internal garden where fruit and vegetables could be grown. It contained a well from which water could be drawn. The Augustinian coat of arms features prominently on a well which is at the centre of the court yard, as a reminder that Christ is the source of living water as well as the refuge of searching souls. Above all the cloister was intended to be a welcoming space which was conducive to prayer and contemplation.

Scala Regia

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t-tara© prinçipali li jwassal g˙as-sular ta’ fuq huwa wie˙ed mill-isba˙ li hawn fil-gΩejjer tag˙na. Huwa tara© maestuΩ li jkopri arja wiesg˙a. Fil-parti ta’ isfel tinsab statwa tal-©ebel li turi lil Santu Wistin ta’ Ippona, liebes it-tonika im˙aΩΩma biç-çintura, li l-patrijiet jilbsu b˙ala sinjal tal-konsagrazzjoni tag˙hom. Fuq is-saqaf, quddiem din l-istatwa, insibu diversi simboli marbutin mal-missier spiritwali tal-Ordni, b˙ala Duttur tal-Knisja u Rag˙aj tal-Knisja. Hekk kif wie˙ed isib triqtu g˙al fuq josserva l-iskultura fi gwarniçuni kbar. Fl-indana tan-nofs insibu l-arma tal-Ordni Agostinjan. Meta t-tara© inkesa bl-ir˙am fis-seklu XX, sar b’tali mod li meta r-reli©juΩ ikun fi triqtu g˙as-sular ta’ fuq, waqt li jaqra l-iskrizzjonijiet mal-art, jiftakar f’dawk il-virtujiet insara li jerfg˙uh lejn il-kontemplazzjoni u l-˙ajja hienja f’Alla.

Scala Regia The principal staircase was designed by Andrea Belli and is one of the most beautiful staircases on the island.

At the lower part of the staircase is a stone statue of St. Augustine of Hippo, clad in a typical Augustinian habit, which members of the Order wear as a mark of their consecration. The inscriptions on the marble stairs are intended to remind the members of the Order of Christian virtues as they climb the stairs.

Il-Kampnar

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ekk kif wie˙ed jixref fuq il-kjostru, jilma˙ il-kampnar tal-Knisja, li popolarment hu mag˙ruf b˙ala s-Sultan tar-Rabat, billi hekk kif wie˙ed ikun tiela’ lejn ir-Rabat, huwa l-ewwel binja li jilma˙. Ir-rwol ta’ kull kampnar huwa li jkun sinjal ta’ preΩenza nisranija u, permezz tal-qniepen li jindaqqu fih, isejja˙ lill-poplu ta’ Alla g˙all-qima.

Dan huwa l-a˙˙ar wie˙ed minn sensiela ta’ kampnari li nbnew matul l-istorja. Il-kampnar attwali nbena fl-1911 permezz tal-˙idma ta’ Fra Nikola Mula Sciberras OSA. Fih erba’ qniepen.

Fuq il-quççata tieg˙u nsibu diversi simboli marbutin ma’ Santu Wistin u l-Ordni Agostinjan.

The Belfry Fra Nicola Mula Sciberras was instrumental for the construction of the belfry in 1911. The belfry typically serves the purpose of marking a Christian presence and calling the faithful to worship. It houses four bells and the stonework is marked with various Augustinian symbols.

L-Awla Kapitolari

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eta twaqqaf l-Ordni Agostinjan beda jitqies wie˙ed mill-Ordnijiet hekk imsej˙a Mendikanti.

B’differenza mill-Ordnijiet Monastiçi, b˙allBenedittini, il-Mendikanti kellhom sistema ta’ tmexxija pjuttost “demokratika”. Fost l-o˙rajn jele©©u huma s-superjuri li jmexxuhom g˙al Ωmien determinat.

Id-deçiΩjonijiet importanti jittie˙du f’dak li jissejja˙ “ilKapitlu”, ji©ifieri laqg˙a fejn, ta˙t it-tmexxija tal-Pirjol, l-a˙wa tal-komunità jiddiskutu u jiddeçiedu flimkien dak li hu g˙all-©id komuni. Il-votazzjoni sigrieta g˙all-proposti mressqa kienet issir permezz tal-“boxxlu”, kaxxa li fiha kull reli©juΩ jesprimi l-©udizzju tieg˙u billi jitfa’ boçça bajda jew sewda, skont il-kaΩ. Fi ktieb apposta jitniΩΩlu l-proposti mressqa u d-deçiΩjoni dwarhom. G˙aldaqstant, l-Awla Kapitolari hija wie˙ed mill-iktar postijiet importanti filkunvent. It-tiΩjin tag˙ha jixhed l-importanza tag˙ha b˙ala post fejn, b’mod kolle©jali, l-a˙wa jaqsmu flimkien l-ideat, jiddixxernu r-rieda ta’ Alla u jiddeçiedu skont il-©id komuni.

The Chapter Hall As the Augustinian order is a Mendicant Order and not a Monastic Order, it had a democratic set up. sMembers of the order would elect their own superiors and any important decisions were taken during the Chapter where the community would meet, discuss and take important decisions affecting the community. Meetings would take place in this Hall and decisions were taken by secret ballot. In order to communicate their decisions the friars would place either a black or a white marble in a particular box. The black marble signifying an answer in the negative and the white in the affirmative.

Fost l-opri artistiçi li jinsabu fil-kunvent San Mark, jispikkaw il-pannelli li kienu jiffurmaw polittiku (pittura maqsuma f’diversi partijiet). Il-pittura hi wa˙da raffinata ta’ skola pittorika ta’ Sqallija ikkommissjonata mir-reli©juΩi agostinjani fis-seklu XV. Tirrafigura l-Madonna fuq tron bit-tfajjel Ìesù fuq ˙o©orha. Il-partijiet l-o˙rajn g˙andhom ix-xbiehat ta’ San Pawl, Santu Wistin bl-ilbies episkopali fuq il-libsa agostinjana u Santa Katerina ta’ Lixandra, tradizzjonalment meqjusa b˙ala l-patruna tal-istudji fl-Ordni Agostinjan. Dan il-polittiku, impitter fuq l-injam, huwa meqjus ta’ pre©ju artistiku g˙oli. Sal-bidu tas-seklu XX partijiet minn dan il-polittiku kien jinsab fil-knisja.

Mad-dawra tal-kuriduri tal-piano nobile, g˙add ©mielu ta’ pitturi mhux biss iΩejnu l-ambjent iΩda jfakkru fil-patrimonju kulturali u spiritwali tal-Ordni Agostinjan. G˙add mhux Ωg˙ir ta’ pitturi j©ibu x-xbieha ta’ reli©juΩi agostinjani li matul is-sekli taw kontribut blistudju, bil-˙idma, bix-xandir tal-Kelma ta’ Alla u bil-qdusija. Fost dawn ta’ min wie˙ed jinnota l-pittura ta’ Fra Fran©isk minn Malta, l-ewwel reli©juΩ Agostinjan Malti li g˙andna tag˙rif dwaru u li, wara li fl-1386 in˙atar vigarju ta’ Sqallija, miet b’fama ta’ qdusija fl-1416.

G˙add sabi˙ ta’ pitturi o˙rajn juru x-xbihat ta’ qaddisin marbutin mal-Ordni Agostinjan: Santu Wistin, Santa Monika, San Tumas ta’ Villanova, San Nikola ta’ Tolentino, Santa Kjara ta’ Montefalco, Santa Rita ta’ Cascia u o˙rajn, xbieha ta’ patrimonju spiritwali attwali g˙al kull Ωmien. Fost l-artisti ta’ dawn il-pitturi nsibu lil Filippino Dingli, Pietro Erardi, Tito Troia, u Rafel Bonnici Calì.

L-Oratorju

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l-komunità Agostinjana issib ir-ra©uni tal-eΩistenza tag˙ha fit-tfittxija kontinwa ta’ Alla u fil-qsim tal-fidi.

Dan ise˙˙ b’diversi modi, iΩda l-aktar permezz tal-˙inijiet ta’ talb imqassmin matul il-©urnata, hekk li jitqaddes iΩ-Ωmien.

Fl-Oratorju, iddedikat lill-Imqaddsa Ver©ni Marija, Omm tal-Grazzja, il-komunità tin©abar ta’ kuljum sabiex fis-skiet u permezz tal-kant tas-salmi tfa˙˙ar lil Alla.

L-arlo©© il-kbir li jinsab f’nofs il-kuridur, g˙al dawn l-a˙˙ar 245 sena, kull kwarta fakkar lill-a˙wa fil-˙tie©a li l-˙in jitqaddes u fl-g˙oΩΩa taΩ-Ωmien b˙ala don ta’ Alla.

Il-Bibljoteka

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a mill-bidu tieg˙u, l-Ordni Agostinjan, kien jag˙ti importanza kbira lill-istudju. Dan sabiex iwettaq il-missjoni tax-xandir tal-Kelma ta’ Alla, kif xtaqet il-Knisja meta waqfitu fl-1244. G˙aldaqstant, fuq l-eΩempju ta’ Santu Wistin, li ˙alla warajh bibljoteka mimlija manuskritti kif ukoll g˙add kbir ta’ kitbiet, fil-kunventi agostinjani ma jonqosx dak l-imkien li fih, mhux biss jinstabu l-kotba me˙tie©a, imma wkoll il-©abra u l-kenn g˙all-istudju. Il-kotba huma, mhux biss ˙aΩna ta’ g˙erf, imma mezz ta’ tfittxija tal-Verità.

Fil-Kunvent San Mark, l-istudju sa mill-bidu sab il-post li jixraqlu. Fih kienu ji©u m˙ejjija reli©juΩi u saçerdoti b’formazzjoni filosofika u teolo©ika soda. Fil-bibljoteka m©edda g˙aΩ-Ωminijiet u l-˙ti©ijiet tal-istudenti tal-lum, u msemmija g˙al San Tumas minn Villanova (+1555), insibu wkoll g˙add çkejken ta’ inkunaboli u ta’ kotba li jmorru lura g˙as-seklu XVI.

Ir-Refettorju

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r-refettorju huwa l-post fejn ta’ kuljum il-komunità tin©abar sabiex l-a˙wa jaqsmu flimkien l-ikel, frott ta’ ˙idmiethom u l-providenza ta’ Alla.

Ir-refettorju l-antik baqa’ jintuΩa sas-snin disg˙in, meta l-komunità, issa içken fiddaqs, fittxet ambjenti o˙rajn fejn l-ispirtu ta’ fraternità jista’ jing˙ax iktar.

Ir-refettorju kien post çentrali fil-˙ajja tar-reli©juΩi. Santu Wistin, fir-Regola li kiteb g˙ar-reli©juΩi tieg˙u, iwissi li, filwaqt li l-©isem jie˙u dak li hu me˙tie©, il-widnejn g˙andhom jie˙du mill-ikel tal-Kelma ta’ Alla.

Fiç-çentru tar-refettorju hemm le©iju minn fejn kien isir il-qari ta’ kuljum waqt l-ikel. Filfesti u çirkustanzi speçjali kienet ting˙ata dispensa mis-silenzju. Kif wie˙ed jid˙ol fir-refettorju jsib Ωew© lavamani tal-fu˙˙ar.

Minn hemm, wara li jsir il-˙asil tal-idejn, ir-reli©juΩi bl-ordni kienu jsibu posthom, kul˙add skont il-grad tieg˙u mad-dawra talimwejjed sakemm issir il-barka tal-ikel. Fissilenzju kienu joqog˙du bilqieg˙da. L-ikel tal-a˙wa kien sempliçi... “dak li jg˙addi l-kunvent” kien jie˙u minnu kul˙add, mill-akbar patri sal-içken novizz. Fil-festi prinçipali kienu jg˙addu trattament çkejken

speçjali sabiex l-a˙wa jifir˙u flimkien. Millbanda l-o˙ra, sabiex setg˙u jsiru pro©etti kbar, mhux l-ewwel darba li l-patrijiet kienu jiçça˙du mill-ikel sabiex i©emmg˙u dak li jkollhom bΩonn g˙at-twettiq tal-pro©etti.

Is-sawm u l-astinenza f’numru mhux Ωg˙ir ta’ jiem tul is-sena kien i˙arre© l-ispirtu fid-dixxiplina spiritwali. Il-komunikazzjoni bejn l-a˙wa kienet isse˙˙ permezz ta’ sinjali sabiex ma jinkisirx is-silenzju waqt il-qari. Fir-refettorju kienu jit˙abbru l-avviΩi g˙all-a˙wa kollha mill-Pirjol, li kien joqg˙od fil-post ewlieni, ta˙t ix-xbieha tal-Kurçifiss li ssaltan fin-nofs tal-mejda prinçipali.

The Oratory The search for God and dissemination of the faith are of paramount importance to the Augustinian community. All this is achieved with the help of prayer. The Oratory, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Grace, is the place where the Augustinian community gathers at various hours of the day to recollect itself in prayer, meditation and to praise God. The Library In order to better accomplish its mission of spreading the Word of God, the Augustinian Order always attached a lot of importance to study. St. Augustine himself contributed in no mean way to the study of the Word of God with his numerous writings. In keeping with the Augustinian tradition, this library boasts of an impressive collection of books, numbering over 25,000, some of which date back to the sixteenth century.

The Refectory The refectory is the place where members of the Order gather during mealtime. St. Augustine firmly believed that besides physical sustenance one needed spiritual sustenance; food for the soul. He firmly believed that spiritual sustenance is found in the Scriptures.

Thus, in the past, during mealtimes one of the friars would read out passages from Scripture. Any announcement affecting the community would also be read in the Refectory.

L-imwejjed tar-refettorju huma tal-©ewΩ, mag˙mulin fis-sena 1666, filwaqt li l-post fejn joqog˙du bilqieg˙da l-patrijiet maddawra tar-refettorju sar fl-1779, minn injam tal-a˙mar bil-finta vena.

Fuq il-˙ajt tad-da˙la g˙ar-refettorju tinsab pittura li turi lil Santu Wistin bil-paramenti ta’ isqof, joffri l-qalb tieg˙u filwaqt li an©lu qed jinfidha bi vle©©a, simbolu tal-esperjenza qawwija tal-im˙abba ta’ Alla li g˙ex Santu Wistin. Hi xog˙ol tas-seklu XVIII ta’ pittur mhux mag˙ruf, (Ωejt fuq it-tila). Xog˙ol estensiv ta’ restawr u konservazzjoni fir-refettorju sar fis-sena 2009.

Il-Knisja ta’ San Mark

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ekk kif wie˙ed jo˙ro© mill-bieb prinçipali tal-belt il-qadima, l-Imdina, jilma˙ il-faççata u l-kampnar tal-Knisja Agostinjana ta’ San Mark. Il-vjal ta’ quddiem il-Knisja huwa msemmi g˙al Santu Wistin, ra˙eb, isqof u duttur tal-Knisja.

L-arkitettura ta’ dan il-vjal hija eΩempju mill-isba˙ tal-istil tipiku tas-seklu XIX. Quddiem il-Knisja, daqs li kieku qed i˙arsuha, jinsabu erba’ statwi tal-©ebel.

Dawn jirrappreΩentaw (mix-xellug) lil San Nikola ta’ Tolentino (†1305), l-ewwel qaddis agostinjan mg˙olli g˙all-©ie˙ tal-altari fl-1446; lill-Madonna taç-Çintura, patruna talOrdni Agostinjan; lil Santu Wistin ta’ Ippona (†430), missier spiritwali tal-Agostinjani; u lil Sant’Anton Abbati, eremit (†256).

Il-faççata tal-Knisja, hekk kif inbniet wara t-ti©rif tat-terremot li laqat lill-gΩejjer tag˙na fl-1693, hija wa˙da eleganti, sempliçi iΩda armonjuΩa fl-istess ˙in. Tag˙ti sens qawwi ta’ ser˙an g˙all-medda wiesg˙a li tkopri, imΩejna f’kull tarf b’Ωew© torçi kbar. Is-sempliçità tag˙ha ΩΩomm lil min qed i˙ares lejha milli jimma©ina dak li hemm jistennieh hekk kif jid˙ol mill-g˙atba ta’ dan it-tempju. Fil-portiku tal-bieb prinçipali tinsab ix-xbieha ta’ Santu Wistin imdawwar b’Ωew© an©li.

Hekk kif wie˙ed jid˙ol fil-knisja Ωgur li jintlaqat mis-sbu˙ija ta’ diversi elementi msawra matul iΩ-Ωmien, li flimkien jo˙olqu sinfonija li thenni lis-sensi. Dik li nbniet b˙ala knisja fl-a˙˙ar Ωmien rinaxximentali mill-arkitett tal-Ordni ta’ S. Ìwann Ìlormu Cassar, illum hija eΩempju mill-isba˙ tal-barokk malti, bl-influwenzi kollha li ©abu mag˙hom iΩ-Ωminijiet. G˙al min il-˙arsa tieg˙u tmur iktar fil-bog˙od, mill-ewwel jolqtu l-fatt li dan it-tempju huwa meqjus b˙ala l-prototip tal-Kon-Kattidral ta’ San Ìwann, fil-Belt Valletta. Il-proporzjonijiet, it-tqassim, l-arkitettura speçjalment tas-saqaf, u bosta elementi o˙rajn ifakkruna fil-knisja konventwali tal-kavallieri. Hi mag˙mula minn korsija b’saqaf “nofs bettija” u sitt kappelluni.

Attwalment g˙andha l-altar ma©©ur, altar tal-kor u sitt altari laterali. Fis-sena 2006, f’g˙eluq il-mitt sena millkonsagrazzjoni tal-Knisja, sar l-altar u l-ambone tal-ir˙am sabiex jaqdi a˙jar il-litur©ija skont ir-riforma tal-Konçilju Vatikan II. Il-Knisja nbniet flok kappella çkejkna li l-patrijiet agostinjani rçevew ming˙and il-Kapitlu tal-Kattidral fl-1556. Damet

tinbena tnejn u tletin sena. G˙al Ωmien twil fil-prospettiva kienu jinsabu Ωew© kwadri titulari: dak ta’ San Mark Evan©elista (skola rumana tas-seklu XVI) u ta’ S. Wistin (Mattia Preti, 1694) li attwalment jinsab fis-sagristija. Il-kor, fejn il-komunità tin©abar sabiex tfa˙˙ar lil Alla permezz tattalb u l-kant tas-salmi, kien mag˙mul fl-1855. Ta˙t il-kwadru ta’ S. Mark tqieg˙det statwa tal-ir˙am tirrappreΩenta lil S. Wistin je˙odha kontra l-ereΩija permezz tal-kitba tieg˙u.

The Church As one exits the main gate of Mdina, the belfry of the Augustinian Church of St. Mark is immediately noticeable. The Avenue in front of the church is named after St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. Four statues representing St Nicholas of Tolentino, Our Lady of Consolation, St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Anthony the Abbot, face the church. The facade of the church, as reconstructed after the 1693 earthquake, is elegant and simple.

The church was designed by Girolamo Cassar the same architect who designed St John’s Co-Cathedral. This church is said to have been the prototype of St. John’s Co-Cathedral. The church consists of a single nave with three side chapels on either side. The Church was built upon a site which the Augustinians acquired from the Cathedral Chapter in 1555.

The choir of the Church – the place where the community prays each day – was made in 1855. In the past, two paintings, that of St. Mark the Evangelist (16th C Roman school) and that of St. Augustine (Mattia Preti 1694) adorned the facade of the choir.

Eventually the painting of St. Augustine was moved to the sacristy and a sculptor was commissioned to replace Mattia Preti’s painting with a statue of St Augustine. The marble statue, made in Sicily in 1896, now stands beneath the painting of St Mark.

Il-Kappelli Laterali

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l-knisja hi mdawwra b’sitt kappelli, kull wie˙ed b’artal iddedikat lil xi qaddis partikolari jew xi titlu marjan. Tul is-snin dawn kienu l-post fejn ixxettlet, u kibret id-devozzjoni tal-poplu. Frott ta’ din id-devozzjoni dawn il-kappelluni ΩΩejnu b’opri artistiçi li g˙adna ngawdu sallum.

L-ewwel kappella, fuq in-na˙a tal-lemin hekk kif t˙ares lejn l-altar huwa dedikat lil Sidtna Marija tal-Konsolazzjoni, jew taç-Çintura. Fiha insibu pittura sabi˙a ta’ Stefano Erardi mag˙mula fl-1637.

TirrappreΩenta lil Marija Omm Alla, bit-tfajjel Ìesù.

Il-˙atar fid-drieg˙ l-ie˙or juri li marbuta ma’ din ixxbieha hemm ukoll it-titlu tal-Madonna tas-Sokkors.

It-tfajjel Ìesù qieg˙ed inewwel iç-çintura, b˙ala sinjal ta’ konsolazzjoni, lil Santa Monika. Fuq in-na˙a l-o˙ra nsibu lil Santu Wistin joffri l-qalb taqbad bl-im˙abba.

Ta˙t il-pittura prinçipali nsibu xbieha devota talMadonna tal-Parir it-Tajjeb, mag˙mula mill-Isqalli Arrigo Reno fl-1755. Quddiem din ix-xbieha kienet spiss titlob il-B. Adeodata Pisani u fuq it-tar©iet talaltar ˙asset fiha s-sej˙a g˙al ˙ajja monastika. Dawn huma tliet titli marjani prinçipali li l-Ordni Agostinjan xerred kull fejn kien.

Fuq ix-xellug insibu l-istatwa ta’ S. Rita (1381-1447/57), is-soru agostinjana meqjusa b˙ala l-Qaddisa talImpossibbli. Id-devozzjoni lejha hi mxerrda mal-erbat irjie˙ tad-dinja billi l-qaddisa twassal messa©© ta’ ma˙fra u paçi f’kull stat ta’ ˙ajja. L-istatwa hi xog˙ol fil-kartapesta ta’ ÌuΩeppi Cilia (1913).

Il-pittura fil-kappella ta’ San Ìwann minn Sahagun (1430-1479) jirrappreΩenta lil dan il-qaddis agostinjan spanjol, flimkien mal-qaddisin Gulliermu u Barbara. Ilqaddis qieg˙ed juri s-simboli ewkaristiçi b˙ala l-g˙ajn tad-devozzjoni qawwija li kellu lejn is-sagrifiççju

tal-altar. San Ìwann issielet bil-bosta favur il-˙addiema ta’ Ωmienu, li ˙afna drabi kienu jin˙aqru bl-in©ustizzji. Il-pittura hi meqjusa b˙ala xog˙ol ta’ Mattia Preti u Bottega.

L-a˙˙ar kappella hi ta’ San Glormu (347420), qaddis importanti fl-ewwel Ωminijiet tal-Knisja. Ittraduça l-Iskrittura Mqaddsa fil-Latin. G˙adda ˙afna minn ˙ajtu fl-Art Imqaddsa fejn kien jg˙ix ˙ajja axxetika f’Betlehem. Il-pittura tal-altar turi lill-qaddis f’mument ta’ talb u meditazzjoni fuq il-Kotba Mqaddsa. Il-pittur m’huwiex mag˙ruf.

Faççata ta’ din il-kappella nsibu dik iddedikata lill-Ispirtu s-Santu. F’dan l-ispazju kienet il-kappella l-qadima ta’ San Mark li l-patrijiet agostinjani rçevew ming˙and il-Kapitlu tal-Kattidral. Fis-seklu XVII din ilkappella kienet dedikata lill-Ispirtu s-Santu, it-Tielet Persuna tat-Trinità Qaddisa.

Il-pittura turi l-inΩul tal-Ispirtu fuq l-Appostli nhar Pentekoste, hekk kif qalb wa˙da kienu mi©bura fit-talb ma’ Marija, Omm Ìesù (Atti 1,14). Il-pittura hija tas-seklu XVIII. Il-kappella li jmiss hija ddedikata lil San Nikola ta’ Tolentino, saçerdot agostinjan (1245-1305). L-Ordni Agostinjan ra f’dan il-qaddis dawk l-elementi essenzjali u prinçipali li bih ir-reli©juΩ agostinjan jista’ jg˙ix bl-a˙jar mod is-sej˙a tieg˙u b˙ala qaddej ta’ Alla. Id-devozzjoni lejh hi mxerrda ˙afna. Devozzjoni popolari marbuta mieg˙u hija t-tberik tal-˙bejΩiet. Il-pittura ta’ din il-kappella turi lil Marija tnewwel ˙bejΩa

lil San Nikola fil-mument li l-qaddis kien g˙addej minn prova ta’ mard. Permezz ta’ dan huwa kiseb mill-©did il-fejqan.

G˙aldaqstant f’˙afna knejjes agostinjani fil-festa ta’ San Nikola nhar l-10 ta’ Settembru jitbierku u jitqassmu l-˙bejΩiet.

L-a˙˙ar kappella hija ddedikata lil Sant’Anton Abbati, eremit (251ç-357) li l-festa tieg˙u tkun iççelebrata fis-17 ta’ Jannar. Il-˙ajja ta’ Sant’Anton kellha influwenza qawwija fil-konverΩjoni ta’ Santu Wistin. F’din il-Knisja l-festa tkun iççelebrata permezz ta’ purçissjoni u t-tberik tal-annimali. L-Arçikonfraternità ta’ Sant’Anton Abbati u tal-Madonna taçÇintura tie˙u ˙sieb ixxerred id-devozzjoni lejn dan il-qaddis. L-istatwa artistika mag˙mula fis-sena 1806 hija tal-injam mag˙mula minn Xandru Farrugia. Ûew© statwi o˙rajn ta’ valur artistiku huma dik ta’ San Nikola ta’ Tolentino, li partijiet minnha huma attribwiti lil Melchiorre Gafà, u tal-Madonna taçÇintura mag˙mula mill-istatwarju ÌuΩepp Cilia. Din l-istatwa to˙ro© proçessjonalment fl-ewwel Óadd ta’ Settembru.

Is-saqaf attwali tal-korsija m’huwiex dak ori©inali. Qabel dan is-saqaf kien a cassettoni, kif jinsab f’erbg˙a millkappelluni. Kien f’nofs is-seklu g˙oxrin li sar id-disinn tat-tiΩjin tas-saqaf mag˙mul minn stucco fuq disinn ta’ ÌuΩeppi Galea.

The Chapels The first Chapel, to the left of the altar, is dedicated to Our lady of Consolation. A beautiful painting by Stefano Erardi, representing the Virgin and Child, together with St Augustine and St Monica, adorns this chapel. This painting dates back to 1637. The small devotional work representing the Virgin of Good Counsel dates back to 1755. It is said that Blessed Adeodata Pisani would often stop to pray in front of this image and that it was on this very altar that she was drawn to her monastic vocation. On the left hand side of the altar one finds the statue of St Rita, an Augustinian nun and patron saint of the impossible.

The next chapel is dedicated to the Augustinian saint, John of Sahagun (1430-1479). The painting is attributed Mattia Preti and bottega.

The last chapel is dedicated to St. Jerome (347420), an important saint of the early years of the Church. The painting portrays the saint in a moment of prayer and meditation. The work is of an anonymous artist.

On the other side of the nave, opposite the chapel of St. Jerome one finds the chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit. This is believed to be the site of the original chapel of St. Mark which the Augustinian community had acquired from the Cathedral Chapter.

The following chapel is that of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, an Augustinian friar (12451305). St. Nicholas used to spend many days fasting and when he was passing through a period of ill health, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to him and given him a loaf of bread. This apparition is portrayed in the painting in this chapel. A popular devotion associated with St. Nicholas is the blessing of the bread.

The last chapel is dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot (251-357) whose feast is celebrated on the 17th January with a procession and the ever so popular blessing of the animals. St. Augustine is said to have been greatly influenced by the life of St. Anthony the Abbot.

Is-Sagristija

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s-sagristija hija l-post fejn is-saçerdot ihejji ru˙u g˙assagrifiççju tal-quddiesa. G˙aldaqstant fiha jinsab dak li hu me˙tie© g˙al-litur©ija. Is-sagristija tal-Knisja San Mark hija mg˙ammra b’g˙amara tas-seklu XVIII, mag˙mul bil-finta vena.

Tiddomina fiha l-pittura ta’ Santu Wistin, ta’ Mattia Preti (1694).

KompoΩizzjoni mill-isba˙ li turi lil Santu Wistin, imnebba˙ minn Alla sabiex jissielet kontra l-ereΩija. Din il-pittura, flimkien ma’ dik ta’ San Mark, kienet fl-abside tal-Knisja sal-1893.

Il-Kurçifiss artistiku, li quddiemu tinbeda u tintemm kull çelebrazzjoni, huwa mag˙mul mill-kartapesta u j©ib id-data tal-1705.

L-erba’ pitturi mad-dawra tas-sagristija fihom ix-xbieha ta’ agostinjani li ˙allew marka fl-istorja tal-Ordni f’Malta u barra minn xtutna: Mons. Gaetano Pace Forno, Isqof ta’ Malta; Mons. Giovanni Maria Camilleri, Isqof ta’ G˙awdex (xog˙ol ta’ Edward Caruana Dingli); Mons. Pawlu Micallef, Pirjol Ìenerali tal-Ordni u Arçisqof ta’ Pisa; P. Fortunato Vella, l-ewwel Pirjol Provinçjali tal-Provinçja Agostinjana ta’ Malta, li twaqqfet fl-1817.

The Sacristy The Sacristy is the place where the priest prepares himself for the sacrifice of the Mass. The furniture in the sacristy dates back to the 18th century. The large painting of St. Augustine by Mattia Preti and dating back to 1694, dominates this space. The painting portrays St. Augustine being enlightened by God so as to be able to combat heresy. This painting, together with that of St Mark, was previously the titular altarpiece of the church.

Four portraits of Augustinian friars adorn the other walls of the sacristy. These are Mons Gaetano Pace Forno (who was bishop of Malta), Mons Giovanni Maria Camilleri (who was bishop of Gozo), Mons Paul Micallef (Prior General of the Order and Archbishop of Pisa) and P. Fortunato Vella, (the first Prior Provincial of the Maltese Augustinian Province of Saint Mark which was founded in 1817.)

Testi: Josef Sciberras OSA | SinteΩi bl-IngliΩ: Jessica Borg Ritratti: Miranda Publications, Christopher Azzopardi, Joseph Borg | Disinn: www.designedbyal.com Produzzjoni Komunità Agostinjana, Kunvent San Mark – Rabat 2009

AĂ“wa Agostinjani