Historic Maltese Silver rescued from French auction in 1798 now on display at Rabat Sacrum Festival

Historic Silver Saved from 1798 French Auction to be Displayed at Rabat Festival

An invaluable collection of silverware, originally seized by French forces during their occupation of Malta in 1798, will be showcased at the upcoming Rabat Sacrum Festival. The silver, which escaped a planned French auction thanks to the bravery of Notary Emanuele Vitale, head of the Arch-Confraternity of St. Joseph, will be exhibited at the National Sanctuary of Saint Joseph at St. Mary of Jesus Church (Ta’ Ġieżu) in Rabat.

In a pivotal event in Maltese history, French authorities intended to auction the silver seized from convents in Rabat and Mdina on 2nd September 1798, coinciding with the feast of the Madonna taċ-Ċintura. However, Vitale, joined by monks and local supporters, led a rebellion that escalated into violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of two French officials and the overthrow of Louis Masson, the French army leader stationed in Rabat. These events set off a chain reaction that ultimately led to the French expulsion from Malta.

The historic silver display will be open to the public on Saturday, 2nd November from 6 p.m. onward, and on Sunday, 3rd November from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival, organized by the Rabat Local Council, will also feature a reenactment of the 1798 standoff on Sunday morning, offering visitors a glimpse into Malta’s struggle for sovereignty.

In addition to the silver, attendees will be able to explore the crypt beneath the sanctuary, dating back to the 1670s. Originally a burial site for members of the Arch-Confraternity of St. Joseph, the crypt contains two altars from different historical periods. One altar, part of the original 1670 crypt, is adorned with a statue of Saint Joseph raising souls from purgatory, while the other, added in 1839, holds a statue of Saint Joseph with the child Jesus.

Rabat Sacrum Festival 2024 offers a rare opportunity to experience Malta’s resilience and rich history through preserved artifacts and evocative reenactments of the events that shaped the nation.

Maltese Herald

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