Devotion to Our Lady of Consolation throughout the ages

The devotion to Our Lady of Consolation originated in the sixteenth century.  Before 1572,  there were already in existence two Confraternities (or Brotherhoods) at the San Giacomo Parish in Bologna, Italy, one dedicated to “Our Lady of the Cincture” (or Girdle) and the other to “Our Lady of Consolation”.  During the papacy of Pope Gregory XIII (1572- 1585), these two Confraternities combined together under the chosen name of Our Lady of Consolation.

This devotion to Our Lady of Consolation traces its origin to the Augustinian Friars. The earliest story, treasured by the Order of Saint Augustine, relates how Saint Monica, in the fourth century, distraught with grief and anxiety for her wayward son Augustine, confided her distress to the Mother of God who appeared to her dressed in mourning clothes but wearing a shining cincture. As a pledge of her support and compassion, Our Lady removed the cincture and, giving it to Monica, directed her to wear it and to encourage others to do the same. In time, Monica gave it to her son who, in turn, bestowed it to his community. In this way, the Augustinian devotion to the wearing of a cincture as a token of fidelity to our Mother of Consolation came into being.

Naturally, the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation in Malta was introduced by the Augustinian Order of Friars with the first reference to this Confraternity in Malta dating back to 1594 when  an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation already existed in the church of St. Nicholas at Mdina (near Greeks Gate).  This altar was flanked by St. Ambrose and St. Nicholas.  Up to the end of the 17^th century, this devotion pertained exclusively to the churches of the Augustinian Order at Rabat (Malta) and Rabat (Gozo), and at Valletta, Malta where a Confraternity was founded in each locality. These churches had been bestowed Papal Indulgencies as mentioned in a Decree issued by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgencies and Relics on 17^th April, 1673, and confirmed by Pope Clement X in his letter of the 27^th March, 1675. 

All this started to draw devotees who lived in  places where this Confraternity did not exist and who attended to enjoy the spiritual benefits of these indulgencies, resulting with a number of parish priests deciding to establish this confraternity in their respective parishes.  They needed a special permit from the Prior General of the Augustinian Order to do so because most parishes were too near each other, some of them less than 3 miles apart.

The first Confraternity of the Cincture in Malta was founded in 1719 at Luqa.  This came about after a request from some laywomen, directed by a diocesan priest, who were tertiary members of the Order of St. Augustine.   Attard and Zebbug (Malta) followed suit and, in 1721, a confraternity was established at Mosta  and, later on, at Lija and Gudja in 1727. In 1723, the Qormi Parish Church already possessed a painting depicting Our Lady of Consolation and it is probable that the Confraternity was founded there between  1735 and 1747.  Later on Zabbar, Qrendi, Gharghur and Zejtun founded their confraternities followed by, lastly, Tarxien and Gharb (Gozo) . It known that these localities started their confraternities as a result of requests made by the Augustinian Tertiary Laywomen living in the respective villages.

In Gudja, an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation was erected in 1727 and was financed by Giovanni Abdilla, who was the Church Procurator.  The parishioners were very devout and wanted to show their love to Our Lady openly.  Proof of this is shown clearly by the street statue erected in the corner near the Police Station.  This artistic statue  was sculpted by the well-known sculptor Alessandro Farrugia of Zejtun. In 1839, this statue was bestowed  with indulgencies to whoever stopped to pray near it.  Therefore, in less than thirty years, no less than eleven Confraternities of Our Lady of  Consolation were founded in Malta. 

In Gudja, the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation has been, and still is, growing considerably.  The feast, which up to four years ago used to be celebrated  on the  Sunday following the feast of  St. Augustine (falling on the last Sunday of August or first Sunday of September)  is now being celebrated on the last Sunday of October.

About seven years ago, new decorative flower bouquets (locally known as ganutell - made with tiny pearls and coloured glass beads) for the altar were made. This work, carried out by volunteers,  required great dedication and  patience.  This altar is privileged also as it boasts of ten bouquets, whereas the other altars have only six..  Soon after this, another devoted family also donated a garland of  flowers (with work similar to the altar bouquets)  which is placed at  the feet of  the statue of Our Lady.  

Marlene Mangion

19^th  August, 2008