The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

 
The Chapel, dedicated to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, adjacent to the Central House of the Society of Christian Doctrine M.U.S.E.U.M. was recently redecorated to house the remains of Saint George Preca.
 

All the work on the redecoration, which was carried out by SDC Members, was designed by Professor Richard England. If, in different times, architecture was used as a means with which man expressed his faith, the Chapel at Blata l-Bajda is precisely meeting the same purpose.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II was the first pilgrim to enter and pray at this Chapel after its redecoration. Pope John Paul II visited the Chapel when he came over to Malta to beatify Fr George Preca on Wednesday 9th May, 2001.

As you enter the building, you will be caught up by the solidity and tranquility of the entire space around you. As you look in front of you, you will definitely be inspired by the profound sense of simplicity, colour and decorum. On your left, a small entrance leads you to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. One enters this chapel to be alone with the Alone. Everything in this chapel helps you to achieve this goal.


   
 

 

On your left, there is a passage, which runs the length of the chapel and signifies the human journey here on earth. The passage has a number of particular significant adornments. Small marble pebbles together with a number of wooden blocks cover the floor. If you try to walk on these pebbles or hold onto the wooden structures, you will find that everything seems to be very vulnerable. It is after all our experience in our day-to-day life. It is only when you lift up your head in search for something solid that your eyes fall on the tabernacle, which stands on a firm concrete pillar. Inscribed in Latin, just above the tabernacle door you will meet who you come to look for in the first place: Magister adest et vocat te (The Lord is here, and is calling you). At the far end of the passage you will see a glass, which is brightly illuminated by the natural light it receives from behind.

  
 

A second important imagery, full of meaning, is found in the Way of the Cross, which adorns the semi-circle at the back of the main Chapel. In the first station, a glass completely covers a cross. The glass represents sin, egoism and death. If it were possible, the devil would conquer and annihilate God! Therefore, Satan’s main objective is to hinder all human beings from coming to know who God is. Yet God, the Imman-u-el (God-made-man) through his Incarnation, life, death and resurrection brings final victory and redemption to the whole of humanity. Therefore, in the last station, the cross is completely uncovered symbolizing the victory, spoken of by God in Genesis: “I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will crush your head and you will strike its heel.” (Gen 3:15)

 
 







The well-preserved body of Saint George Preca lies in a glass urn, situated just beneath a wax effigy. The hands are crossed on its chest with the fingers reminding us of the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, of which Fr Preca was such a great preacher.


His Holiness Pope John Paul II praying in the Society Chapel on his visit to Malta on May 9th 2001

  
 
Chapel's Orary
  

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 6.45 a.m to 12.00 a.m and 4.30 p.m to 7.00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 6.45 a.m to 9.00 a.m. 		 

Daily Masses
Monday to Saturday: 7.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.
Sunday: 7.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. 		 

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesdays: from 5.30 p.m to 6.30 p.m.
Saturdays: from 4.30 p.m to 7.00 p.m. 		 

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