A while back I was conversing with a foreign resident in Malta and was very happy to hear him praise our island for its natural beauty, its abundant historical sites and its warm and generous people. But, I must say, I was greatly shocked when he suddenly said, ‘But the people’s cursing and blasphemous words are unbearable and most humiliating’.
At first I could not utter a word but then I plucked up courage and endeavoured to defend my fellow countrymen by saying that although he was right in saying that swearing is an evil Maltese curse yet there are many Maltese who shun this habit, that there are many Maltese who are ready to point out the ugliness of swearing, that there are many Maltese who praise God with words and song and others who spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament adoring God by their presence and prayer.
The well-known ‘Xirka tal-Isem Imqaddes t’Alla’ (The Society of the Holy Name of God) strives hard to promote awareness of this horrible vice and to instil in the people’s heart a burning love for God our Creator.
It is indeed a shame that one hears men, women and even children, swearing against God, the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady and the saints. But whilst we condemn this act, we must be on our guard not to condemn the blasphemer. We must be ready to pray for such a person, to try prudently and lovingly to bring to his or her attention the horridness of this habit and to give a good example by uttering words of praise and thanksgiving to God and the saints.
Every year the ‘Xirka tal-Isem Imqaddes t’Alla’ organises its National Congress during which there is a Walk of Faith as an open sign of reparation for blasphemy. After the walk the people gather in church to pray, to listen to some short speech and a presentation and, lastly, to hear the message of our Archbishop.
This year the National Congress is being held at the parish church of Safi. This parish dedicated to St. Paul, was chosen because the society wishes to combine this congress with the Pauline year when we are commemorating the 2000th year since the birth of the great Apostle Paul. It is being held on Pentecost Day, 31st May, 2009 and starts at 5.45 p.m.
We cordially invite everybody especially those who hold the name of God dear to their heart to participate in this blessed event. Rather than talk about blasphemy and the blasphemer which in the long run will not change things for the better but might, in fact, do a lot of damage, it would be a good idea to actively take part in this congress and by prayer and song and by listening to the messages that will be delivered we would be giving praise and glory to God as is befitting.
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