The cult of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ experienced a quantum leap during the early 18th century, as witnessed by the achievements of the respective Holy Crucifix Confraternities within the parishes of Birgu, Isla and Bormla. The standard set by the Birgu and Isla Confraternities was soon emulated by the community of Bormla, which had been founded in 1647. Indeed, no effort was spared in the crafting of a fine and spacious Oratory for the holding of the Confraternity’s meetings and the safekeeping of the Good Friday statues and related paraphernalia. This occupies the north flank and interlinks with the Parish, though its main entrance is in Oratory Street.
Bishop Paolo Apheran de Bussan laid the first stone in December 1731. The plans were entrusted to architect Giacomo Bianco, in turn assisted by Michele and Silvestro Cachia. Master mason Paolo Cachia oversaw the works which lingered on until July 1735. The Holy Crucifix Oratory of Bormla was then consecrated by Bishop Vincenzo Labini on 23 November 1783.
Façade
Access from Triq l-Oratorju is via a portal marked by elaborate sculpture and an overlying medallion holding a relief of the Holy Crucifix. The remaining expanse of the wall elevation is appreciably plain and is perforated by a series of window openings and by a small door leading down to the underlying crypt. The latter was employed for the internment of the deceased members of the Confraternity. Said elevation is further embellished by a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows set on a column and by a small belltower.
Interior
The proportions, sculptural decorations and accompanying works of art render this Oratory one of the finest Baroque examples in Malta. The list of prominent elements includes the main altar marble reredos crafted by Gio Antonio Nicolas, the altarpiece, overlying sopraquadro and flanking lunettes by Francesco Zahra, the coat of arms of Bishop Alphera de Bussan, and the wooden catherda, seats and lectern employed during the Confraternity meetings. Also of note are the statues of Jesus Praying in the Getsemani and the Scrouging of Jesus by Pietro Paolo Zahra, and Jesus Falling Under the Weight of the Cross and Jesus Crowned with Thorns by Francesco Fabri.
The sophistication of this fine Baroque ambience is further enhanced during the respective feasts since the Oratory is embellished with an imposing hoard of silverworks, in particular the hanging lamp by Giuseppe Guinaud, and the massive antependium designed by Abraham Gatt, modelled by Francesco Ellul and manufactured by the Firm Ghezzi, Milan.
Milestones
1647: foundation of Bormla’s Holy Crucifix Confraternity
1731-5: building of Oratory
1739: replacement of titular painting with present canvas by Francesco Zahra
1759: installation of first statue of Our Lady of Sorrows sculpted by Gaetano Fabri
1768: installation of marble reredos at the staggering cost of 1500 scudi
1783: consecration of Oratory
1878: completion of effigy of Christ Praying in the Getsemani by Carlo Darmanin
1897: replacement of Our Lady of Sorrows statue with replica formerly located in the small cemetery in Sqaq l-Erwieħ, Bormla
