While Caravaggio’s masterpieces will be unavailable on these dates, St John’s Co-Cathedral still has a wealth of art, history, and heritage waiting to be explored.

If you have booked your tickets online, please note that your ticket remains valid for 7 days from your originally scheduled visit date, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan an alternative visit.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Oratory and Caravaggio Wing from the 9th of April.

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This year’s Holy Week program offers a rich opportunity to enter more deeply into these mysteries, beginning with the solemn remembrance of Our Lady of Sorrows and culminating in the joy of Easter Sunday. Each celebration, from the blessing of palms to the Easter Vigil, is carefully prepared to help us pause from our daily routines and reconnect with what truly matters.

Whether you plan to attend every liturgy or simply join for a few key moments, this schedule is here to guide you through a week of reflection, devotion, and hope. Let it be an invitation to slow down, to be present, and to experience the beauty and depth of Holy Week together.

Holy Week Programme 2026

Day of Our Lady of Sorrows – 27 March
8:30am / Mass
5:00pm / Mass

Eve of Palm Sunday – 28 March
8:30am / Mass
5:45pm / Mass & Blessing of Olive Branches

Palm Sunday – 29 March
7:45am / Mass
8:30am / Office (Liturgy of the Hours)
9:30am / Pontifical Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna & Blessing of Palm and Olive Branches
11:30am / Mass
5:45pm / Mass in English

Between 30 March and 1 April
8:30am / Mass & Reflection on the Easter Triduum

Holy Thursday – 2 April
9:00am / Mass celebrated by the Archbishop & Blessing and consecration of the oils used in the Holy Sacraments

6:00pm / Mass commemorating the institution of the Eucharist and Holy Orders. Followed by a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. The Co-Cathedral remains open for visits to the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00pm

Good Friday – 3 April
9:30am / Office led by the Archbishop in front of the Altar of Repose. The Co-Cathedral remains open until 11:30am

3:30pm / Commemoration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Holy Saturday – 4 April
9:30am / Office in the Oratory dedicated to the Beheading of St John

8:00pm / Easter Vigil & Blessing of fire and water, chanting of the Exultet, and baptisms of adults

Easter Sunday – 5 April
7:45am / Mass
8:30am / Office
9:30am / Pontifical Mass led by the Archbishop
11:30am / Mass
5:45pm / Mass in English

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The evening takes its title — Inħoll l-Ilħna u l-Ilsna l-Oħra — from the poem “Mestiza” by Myriam Montoya, in its Maltese translation by Simone Galea, published in xtaqt li kont merkurju (Inizjamed, 2022). It echoes the spirit of an evening where poetry will resound across eight chapels in as many languages.

The event will take the form of two poetical tours through the Co-Cathedral’s side chapels, each dedicated to a different language of the Knights of the Order of St John and each carrying its own distinct language and literary tradition. Moving through the chapels of Castile, León and Portugal; Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre; Auvergne; Anglo-Bavaria; Provence; France; Germany; and Italy, the audience will experience poetic texts in the respective languages. In each case, translations in Maltese and/or English will also be provided.

The first poetical tour begins at 7.30pm, led by Maria Christina Zammit, and the second tour (identical to the first) commences at 8.30pm, led by Jeremy Grech. Each tour promises an intimate and immersive journey through language, history, and art.

The evening is being curated by Inizjamed and Inizjamed’s team under the artistic direction of Leanne Ellul, with the script woven together by Leanne Ellul and Jake Buttigieg and the authors’ writings. A cast of readers from diverse backgrounds will bring to life works by Astrid Alben (tr. Antoine Cassar), Clare Azzopardi (tr. Martina Reinecke), Samantha Barendson (tr. Gioele Galea, Dom Gabrielli), Lilia Ben Romdhane (tr. Immanuel Mifsud), Keith Borg (tr. Maria Frendo), Rainer Maria Rilke (tr. Priscilla Cassar), Alphonse Daudet (tr. Joe Pulè), Miquel Desclot (tr. Pierre J. Mejlak), Marc Delouze (tr. Nadia Mifsud), Leanne Ellul (tr. Virginia Monteforte), Claudia Gauci (tr. Giuseppe Goffredo), Elizabeth Grech, Adrian Grima (tr. Rui Cóias), Nadia Mifsud, Dun Karm Psaila (tr. Ġużè Delia), and San Ġwann tas-Salib (tr. Ġorġ Peresso).

The readers for the evening are: Simone Azzopardi, Kit Azzopardi, Jean Paul Borg, Kurt Borg, Jake Buttigieg, Leanne Ellul, Claudia Gauci, Marilyn Mallia, Patricia Micallef, Immanuel Mifsud, Justine Somerville, Klara Vassallo, Maxine Tanti, and others.

This collaboration reflects St John’s Co-Cathedral’s ongoing commitment to art and culture, and its openness to poetry as a living presence within its historic walls. Inizjamed’s participation, meanwhile, draws on the organisation’s long-standing dedication to translation — both into Maltese and from Maltese into other languages.

The event is open to everyone against a donation of €10. Tickets can be obtained from here.

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Inħoll l-Ilsna u l-Ilsna Oħra

📅 It-Tlieta 17 ta’ Marzu
🕰  7:30pm & 8:30pm

Ftit jiem biss qabel il-Jum Dinji tal-Poeżija, il-Konkatidral ta’ San Ġwann u Inizjamed se jingħaqdu flimkien għal serata ta’ poeżija b’differenza. Imraħ matul it-tmien kappelli fil-Konkatidral – u hekk ukoll permezz tal-lingwi. Bis-saħħa tal-lingwi storiċi tal-Kavallieri tal-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann, il-poeżija se tinstema’ bl-Ispanjol, il-Franċiż, il-Ġermaniż, it-Taljan, l-Ingliż, u iżjed, tradotta bil-Malti u/jew l-Ingliż. Is-serata se tieħu s-sura ta’ mixja poetika li se ssir darbtejn:

• 7:30pm – immexxija minn Maria Christina Zammit

• 8:30pm – immexxija minn Jeremy Grech

B’kurazzjoni ta’ Inizjamed u direzzjoni artistika ta’ Leanne Ellul, din l-esperjenza immersiva se tqarreb lejn xulxin fi djalogu vuċijiet kontemporanji u klassiċi fl-isfond ta’ ġawhra aristiku u arkitettoniku tal-Barokk.

🎟️ Donazzjoni ta’ €10

BILJETTI MINN HAWN

ECCE HOMO An Evening of Spiritual Reflection and Sacred Music

📅 Thursday 26th March, 2026
🕰  7:30pm

The Co-Cathedral also hosts a moving evening dedicated to reflection on justice, truth, and human frailty within the Passion narrative.

Under the direction of Mro Christopher Muscat, the programme will be interpreted by:

The Jubilate Deo Choir, Cappella Gregoriana Jubilate Deo, Pueri Cantores Jubilate Deo with Mr Ronald Camilleri presiding at the organ.

The musical programme features masterworks by: Tomás Luis de Victoria, Felice Anerio, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Gregorio Allegri.

This sacred repertoire, performed within the Co-Cathedral’s extraordinary acoustics, promises an atmosphere of profound contemplation and spiritual depth.

🎟️ Tickets are available against a €10 donation, with proceeds in aid of the Archbishop’s Charity Fund.

TICKETS FROM HERE

Valletta Resounds: The Caravaggio Experience

📅 Ongoing performances
🕰  Various Times

Breaking national records for the most performances staged within a historical site, Valletta Resounds: The Caravaggio Experience by Udjenza returns for a new run of shows at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

Held in the Oratory, this site-specific performance elegantly weaves together The Beheading of St John the Baptist by Caravaggio with theatrical storytelling and timeless classical music.

Under the musical direction of Jacob Portelli, critically acclaimed Maltese musicians bring to life the works of Baroque masters such as George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach, alongside sacred Maltese compositions by Francesco Azzopardi and others.

The music is performed by some of Malta’s most esteemed sopranos — Dorothy Bezzina, Hannah Tong, and Dorothy Baldacchino — and beautifully accompanied on Baroque harp, Baroque violin, Baroque cello, and psaltery.

This auditory delight is seamlessly interwoven with captivating tales of the Oratory, narrated by the regal character of Fra Bartolomeo, portrayed by Jeremy Grech.

🕰 The 40-minute concert begins at 18:30, with access to the Cathedral from 18:00 through the main door on St John Street.

An unforgettable encounter with art, music, and storytelling — set before one of the greatest masterpieces of the Baroque era.

TICKETS FROM HERE

We look forward to welcoming you to St John’s Co-Cathedral for these memorable evenings.

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As a valued member of the Maintenance team, Ernest plays a vital role in maintaining the Co-Cathedral’s heritage, ensuring its spaces are cared for with the respect and attention they deserve. Beyond his technical expertise, he is known for being a dependable and supportive colleague – someone his team can always rely on.

“Much of the work carried out by our maintenance team happens quietly behind the scenes, often before the Co-Cathedral opens to the public or after hours. Yet their contribution is just as vital as any other role within the St John’s Co-Cathedral complex,” says Ian Camilleri, Chief Operations Officer. “Ernest has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues in a remarkably short time. He is hardworking and loyal, always ready to lend a hand or offer sound advice whenever needed.”

Cassar’s dedication and teamwork are consistently praised by his colleagues. Jurgen Camilleri, a fellow maintenance team member, notes that working alongside Ernest every day shows the effort and care he puts into his work, describing him as someone the team can rely on without hesitation, whether it’s an urgent repair, a long job after hours, or a task that needs doing properly the first time. John Taylor, the team foreman, adds that Ernest doesn’t just focus on his own duties but looks out for the whole team, always ready to step in, share his skills, or help solve problems on the spot. Mauro Debono echoes this sentiment, saying that Ernest consistently supports him in carrying out his responsibilities and that he has learned a great deal from working alongside him.

“What truly sets Ernest apart is his strong sense of responsibility and initiative. He understands what is required of him and consistently carries out his duties with minimal supervision, always to a high standard,” Camilleri continues. “His specialised skills, particularly in welding, woodwork, and organisation, enable him to excel in his role and add significant value to our operations. Employees like Ernest are rare, and we are truly fortunate to have him as part of our team. This recognition is well-deserved.”

Outside of work, Cassar is a devoted family man and lifelong Floriana FC and Manchester United fan – interests that reflect the same loyalty and consistency he brings to his role at the Co-Cathedral. He takes pride in working within a historic institution and approaches his responsibilities with a strong sense of ownership and respect for its significance.

The latter reflects the Foundation’s belief that protecting St John’s Co-Cathedral is not only about technical expertise, but also about the people behind the scenes whose daily efforts sustain it. Whether assisting a colleague, addressing an issue before it escalates, or simply carrying out his work with care and reliability, Ernest’s contribution extends far beyond his job description.

This award highlights the value of dedicated employees whose professionalism and accountability support the Foundation’s ongoing operations and long-term mission.

(L to R) – Mauro Debono, Ernest Cassar, Ian Camilleri, John Taylor, Jurgen Camilleri

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Commander Frà Giangirolamo Carafa, Prior of Barletta, is known to be the commissioner of this piece, and its historical context situates the work in Southern Italy between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach gave this project far greater depth. Art historical research, technical conservation, and scientific expertise, brought together by researchers, conservators, and diagnosticians, transformed the restoration into a cognitive and investigative journey, one that not only ensured the safeguarding of the work but also deepened our understanding of its historical and cultural context.

The icon’s journey begins in Southern Italy, on the hills overlooking Matera, at the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Picciano. The sanctuary was an ancient foundation of Benedictine and later Hospitaller origin, and its Marian image has been at the heart of popular devotion for centuries. In 1601, Frà Giangirolamo Carafa, the Commander of Santa Maria di Picciano between 1592 and 1615, commissioned a replica of the icon for his private devotions, moved by the faith of the local population and the miracles reportedly witnessed at the sanctuary.

Carafa subsequently took this copy, which became known as the Madonna of Carafa, with him to Malta. The image was later exposed for public veneration in the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories in Valletta. Per his will, on November 23, 1622, this icon was hanged above the altar of St Catherine in the Chapel of Italy within the St John’s Co-Cathedral. The Council’s record at the time emphasised the obligation to ensure “the veneration due to the sacred image”. The icon remained there until 1954, when it was transferred to its current location, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament also known as the Chapel of the Virgin of Philermos.

Targeted diagnostic analyses, including multispectral imaging, X-ray radiography, and CT scan, were crucial to the investigation. The analyses confirmed that the icon is executed on three poplar wood planks joined together to create an oval format. The structure is reinforced on the reverse by three horizontal crossbars, which are considered original to the work. The absence of a joint system and full canvas lining (incamottatura) contributed to deformations over time, necessitating later fillings and structural additions. Findings about the paint layers confirmed a late Renaissance and Mannerist palette. This analysis detected the presence of the original pigments and overpainting dated to later historical interventions.

At the time of restoration, the icon was in a precarious state, having suffered from insect damage, yellowed protective varnish, and widespread overpainting. The primary objective of the restoration was to preserve the physical and structural integrity of the work. The intervention focused on: structural consolidation and treating the wood against woodworm infestation; selective cleaning and removal of oxidised varnish and recent overpainting’s; and chromatic reintegration, which followed the principle of reversibility, achieving uniform colour without compromising the legibility of the original image.

The meticulous restoration, concluded in October 2025, was guided by material evidence and sought to stabilise, protect, and enhance the work without overriding its identity. Having survived centuries of vicissitudes, the Madonna of Carafa retains its expressive power, particularly in the face of the Virgin, whose composure and spiritual depth continue to exert a powerful devotional impact.

The Madonna of Carafa was on display from 26 November to 5 December, offering a rare opportunity to admire this restored masterpiece up close before she was moved to the High Altar on 5 December for the Marian celebrations on 8 December, and then transferred to the Chapel of the Madonna of Philermos on 10 December.

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SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 5th December
Madonna of Carafa placed on the High Altar

Wednesday 10th December
Madonna of Carafa returns to the Chapel of Philermos

Thursday 18th December
Traditional Baby Jesus Procession

ECCLESIASTICAL SERVICES

Monday 8th December

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass: 7:45AM & 11:30AM

High Mass celebrated by H.G. Archbishop of Malta, Charles J. Scicluna at 9:30AM

Saturday 13th December – Republic Day 

Mass: 8:30AM & 5:45PM

Wednesday 24th December – Christmas Eve

Christmas Vespers led by H.G. Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna at 5:00PM

Mass: 5:45PM

Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day

Masses at 7:45AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM, and 5:45PM

Thursday 31st December – New Year’s Eve

Te Deum Mass celebrated by H.G. Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna at 6:00PM

CONCERTS

Tuesday 16th December – Candlelight Concert by fever

Performances at 19:00PM & 21:00PM

Friday 19th December – A Christmas Concert at 7:30PM

Featuring the Jubilate Deo Choir

SPECIAL OPENING HOURS

Friday 5th December – Early Closure: 9:00AM – 15:00PM

Friday 12th December – Late Opening: 11:00AM – 16:15PM

24th December & 31st December – Early Closure: 9:00AM – 14:15PM

All other opening times remain unchanged.

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LED lighting system and the launch of a major fundraising campaign for the restoration of Mattia Preti’s magnificent Baroque ceiling. Together, these efforts embody the

Foundation’s mission to illuminate Malta’s sacred heritage while safeguarding it for future generations.

St John’s Co-Cathedral, one of Europe’s most celebrated Baroque landmarks, has recently completed a transformative lighting project that brings new life to its sacred

interior, harmonising art, architecture, faith, and sustainability under one radiant vision. The new system marks a historic milestone, 112 years after the Co-Cathedral first

transitioned from candlelight to electricity. It replaces outdated halogen and metal-halide fittings with over 350 museum-grade LED luminaires, reducing energy consumption by more than 50% while revealing every brushstroke, carving, and gilded detail with renewed clarity.

President of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, Colonel Dr Mark Mallia, emphasised the significance of this achievement, stating:

“The new lighting system is far more than a technical enhancement – it is an act of reverence, bringing to life every brushstroke and gilded carving, allowing visitors to

experience St John’s Co-Cathedral as Mattia Preti envisioned it – radiant, contemplative, and alive with divine light. ‘Where Light Meets Legacy’ is more than our campaign’s name;

it is our mission – to illuminate the past while preserving the future.” Mgr Prof Emmanuel Agius echoed this sentiment, noting that “this new lighting installation should not be celebrated solely as a commendable technical enhancement; it should also be interpreted as a vibrant symbol of illumination – a light that reveals beauty, inspires devotion, and elicits our inner spiritual response. This lighting system will help every visitor and worshipper to savour and experience the splendour of Preti’s ceiling in all its dramatic glory, and intensify the contemplative atmosphere that defines this sacred space.”

Alongside this milestone, the Foundation has launched a six-year, €6 million fundraising campaign for the restoration of Mattia Preti’s monumental ceiling, a masterpiece that

remains both a symbol of Malta’s cultural identity and a defining achievement of 17th-century European art. Executed between 1661 and 1666, Preti’s decorative cycle

depicting the life of St John the Baptist now shows signs of deterioration caused by humidity, environmental factors, and the passage of time. This underscores the urgency

for conservation.Colonel Mallia further remarked that “the restoration of Mattia Preti’s vault is not merely about conserving art, but about safeguarding the soul of our nation’s heritage. Each contribution helps ensure that this masterpiece, and the light of faith and artistry it represents, endures for generations to come.”

In his address, Mgr Prof Emmanuel Agius remarked that the fundraising campaign for the conservation of the Preti vault “calls for a generosity of heart and vision – it is one that can

only succeed through the collaborative synergy of our esteemed partners: the business community, philanthropic institutions, and individual benefactors who, like the Knights

of old, understand and appreciate the enduring value of such enterprises for the common good.”

The restoration project will combine historical research, advanced diagnostics, and multidisciplinary conservation techniques under the guidance of a scientific committee

made up of internationally recognised experts together with the team at St John’s Co-Cathedral. It will stabilise and clean the painted surfaces, strengthen the underlying

stone structure, and protect the vault from future deterioration. This will ensure that this extraordinary work continues to inspire awe for centuries to come.

Together, the new lighting system and the restoration campaign mark a defining moment for St John’s Co-Cathedral. It is a harmonious meeting of light and legacy that reaffirms

the Foundation’s enduring commitment to the preservation and celebration of Malta’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

For more information or to contribute, visit www.stjohnscocathedral.com/fundraising or email fundraising@stjohnscocathedral.com.

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Contributors – including scholars, conservators, and curators from both Malta and abroad – explore a wide range of topics. These include innovative technological approaches to art conservation, the theological and sociological challenges of re-evangelization in today’s secular context, the role of sacred art in fostering community engagement, and reflections on the future of cathedral heritage across Europe, from Malta to the Vatican Museums.

This publication not only showcases pioneering research and practice in the field of sacred art conservation but also provides an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersection of art, faith, and cultural heritage.

💻 View the digital version here.

📖 Reserve a hard copy here.

This initiative was made possible thanks to the generous support of APS Bank.

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• Saturday, 1st November – Open from 11:30 AM to 4:45 PM (last admission at 4:15 PM)
• Monday, 17th November – Open from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM (last admission at 4:15 PM)

We kindly ask visitors to take note of these special opening hours and plan their visit accordingly.

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