New Painting of St Pius V Inaugurated at the Dominican Church in Birgu

New Painting of St Pius V Inaugurated at the Dominican Church in Birgu

A new painting depicting Pope St Pius V was inaugurated yesterday, 25 August, at the Church of St Dominic in Birgu, adding a significant new work of sacred art to the historic Dominican church.

The painting, which has been created for the altar of the Chapel of St Pius V, presents an important episode connecting the saint, the Great Siege of Malta and the foundation of Valletta, while also recalling the deep historical links between the Dominican community of Birgu and the Order's presence in the new capital city.

At the centre of the composition, St Pius V is portrayed presenting money to Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette towards the construction of the new city following the Great Siege of 1565. Behind the Grand Master is Fr Damian Tagliana OP, who served as Prior of the Dominican community in Birgu and was later appointed the first parish priest of the new Dominican parish in Valletta.

The inclusion of Fr Damian Tagliana gives the painting a particularly strong connection with the history of the Dominican community of Birgu. Historical accounts of the Dominicans in Valletta record that, following the Great Siege, the Dominican Fathers came from their priory in Vittoriosa to minister to the thousands of workers involved in the construction of the city's fortifications. Later, the prior of Vittoriosa, Fr Damian Taliana OP, approached Grand Master Pietro del Monte for land on which the Dominicans could establish a church and priory. 

The upper part of the painting is dominated by an image of Our Lady holding the Child Jesus, with the rosary in their hands. This detail recalls the particular devotion of St Pius V to the Rosary and his association with the victory of the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on 7 October.

The Rosary also has a special place in the history of the Dominican church in Birgu. It was here that the first Confraternity of the Holy Rosary in Malta was established, further strengthening the connection between the painting, the Dominican tradition and the religious history of Birgu.

The new work was painted by renowned Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia, one of Malta's prominent contemporary sacred artists. Farrugia has produced numerous works for churches in Malta and Gozo, including major sacred-art projects. His work is characterised by a contemporary realistic style, and his reputation in the field of religious art has grown considerably over the past years. 

The inauguration of the painting provides another opportunity for the faithful and visitors to appreciate the artistic and historical heritage preserved within the Dominican church of Birgu. More than simply an image of a saint, the new painting brings together several important chapters of Maltese history: the aftermath of the Great Siege, the birth of Valletta, the Dominican presence in both Birgu and the new capital, the devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, and the enduring legacy of St Pius V.

The painting therefore serves both as a devotional work and as a visual reminder of the close relationship between the Dominican community and some of the defining moments in Malta's history.