Processions, mourning, and Qagħaq tal-Appostli: Catholics in Malta celebrate Good Friday

Catholics in Malta celebrate Good Friday today, as the day is associated with the mourning of Jesus Christ, as well as a number of traditions that remain popular each year.

Good Friday processions are a long-standing tradition in Malta.

This custom dates back to medieval times, when large crowds of Catholics would gather in village squares across Malta and Gozo to witness the processions.

In keeping with Catholic practice, no mass is held on Good Friday, as it is a day of mourning. Church bells remain silent and are replaced by the sound of traditional wooden clappers known as the “ċuqlajta.”

The processions feature statues representing scenes from the Passion of Christ. Men, women, and children dress as biblical figures, while marching bands follow. Some take part barefoot, sometimes wearing chains around their ankles or carrying heavy wooden crosses as acts of devotion.

Popular processions, drawing large numbers of participants, take place in Bormla, Isla, Birgu, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Rabat, Qormi, Żejtun, Mosta, and Naxxar.

The processions and outdoor activities might however be cancelled due to bad weather expected throughout Friday, as the Met Office is forcasting wind and isolated showers. In fact, all processions in Gozo have been cancelled due to bad weather.

Despite being associated with fasting, Good Friday is also a time for traditional foods such as Qagħaq tal-Appostli, a traditional ring-shaped bread topped with almonds and sesame seeds.

Other foods include ricotta pie (torta tal-irkotta), stuffed artichokes (qaqoċċ mimli), anchovy qassatat, and spinach pie (torta tal-ispinaċi).