`L-Immakulata Kuncizzjoni tar-Rabat Ghawdex – l-Istatwa li naqax l-Iskultur Salvatore Psaila,' is the title of a 548-page book, which recently had its official launch at the Ministry for Gozo Exhibition Hall in Victoria.

The book, researched and written by Anthony Farrugia (author of Il-Kuntratt tal-Istatwa Titluari ta' San Gorg tar-Rabat Ghawdex – 2 ta' April 1838 published last July) recounts the commissioning of the statue of the Immaculate Conception sculpted in wood by Mastro Salvatore Psaila.

This book also provides a historical background of the arrival of the Franciscan Minor Conventual Order in Gozo and the foundation at the same church of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception which promoted the cult of the Immaculate Conception on the island of Gozo.

Before 1657, the members of this Confraternity organised an annual procession on the 8th of December, which witnessed the rendering of three different statues, ranging from a mannequin, to a statue sculpted in wood by Ignazio Vachieri in 1815, and to the statue we have today, ordered in 1837 but finished in 1847.

It also provides a detailed insight into the practices of the confraternity, the daily lives of its members, and sociological and genealogical studies of its Rector Publio Refalo and Procurator Surgeon Calcedonio Speranza, and of other people involved in the commissioning of the statue, including Notary Antonio Saliba who drafted the contract for the commissioning of the statue, and of Notary Nicolò Tabone who played a great part in persuading Salvatore Psaila to finish his work.

The book launch, chaired by Francesco Pio Attard, Archives Assistant at the National Archives (Gozo), opened with a speech delivered by Mgr. Joseph Bezzina, the Assistant National Archivist, who highlighted that the book is a research based on original sources, that is, Liber ex fontibus as opposed to Liber ex libris publications.

He stated that this was also the first time that the section of the Conti Originali at the Curia Archives of the Diocese of Gozo, were first used extensively for the scope of research published in a book. This was a great honour to him, as he had catalogued and organised the section, late back in the 1980s, together with the late Fr Alwig Camilleri.

Anton Tabone, a direct descendant of Notary Nicolò Tabone and honorary president of the present committee of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, highlighted the role that his great great grandfather Notary Nicolò Tabone played in the ordeal of the statue.

His contribution today, and that of his ancestor way back in the 1840s, highlighted the links the present has with the past. Dr. Stephanie J. Coppini, read a translation in Maltese of the contract from the original Italian.

The author Anthony Farrugia delivered a speech by bringing to the fore the true meaning of the word Kuncizzjonist. He highlighted various characteristics that every Kuncizzjonist should possess, by giving examples from the main protagonists and events mentioned in his book.

Fr. Alfred Calleja, ex-Provincial of the Franciscan Minor Conventual Order, who was present for the occasion, thanked Mr Farrugia for his major contribution to the history of the Order.

The event ended with the presentation by the author of his book to several dignitaries, followed by a book-signing session.

Photographs: Charles Spiteri

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