The Hospitaller church of Our Lady of Victory

Abstract

The church of Our Lady of Victory has, for a long time, been a monument that has attracted my attention for some unfathomable reason apart from its obvious historic connections. Unlike other major churches and parishes in Valletta, extolled through undying renown or parochial patronage, this humble little church, as other forlorn examples in the capital city of Valletta, has suffered from abject neglect and public defection. Although within the last decade an upcoming interest has been forthcoming, related to certain aspects of its restoration, nothing new in terms of historical relevance has been rendered. Information divulged through the press, official Government quarters, or even by well-established NGOs, invariably propound the limited and admittedly narrow accounts without rendering justice to the truthful glory of this monument. No significant literature has been dedicated to its cause. The only monograph that has ever been committed to print, solely dedicated to the church of Our Lady of Victory, paying tribute to its celebrated past, revealing its intimate devotional aspects, acclaiming its artistic artefacts, was by Rafel Bonnici Cali - a 24-page pamphlet published in 1966, an important record (though void from sources of information). The church of Our Lady of Victory is usually linked to the history of Valletta, intimately bound with its urban development, a mere 'landmark' looking down upon one of the busiest streets in the city. Yet few people realise that this church was the second most important church belonging to the Knights Hospitaller after St John's Conventual church, not so much for its artistic merit, but rather, for its pre-eminent status as a parish, independent from the Episcopal Diocese of Malta - a parish for the Order of St John's dependants. The present work traces out the origin of the cult of Our Lady of Victory beyond Malta, as well as its adoption as a major feast on the national liturgical calendar. The building of the church with its multi-faceted, intricate development, the impact of the parish status upon Church-State relations, an overview of its artistic heritage, and relevant vicissitudes broadly-bound with its history have been investigated.