The socio-cultural milieu of holiness : Maltese values in a Euro-Mediterranean perspective

Abstract

The English words for "saint" and "holiness", unlike their Maltese equivalent of "qaddis" and "qdusija", have different etymological origins though related meanings. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a saint as "a holy or a canonised person (by a Church after his or her death) regarded as having a place in heaven". The temporal existence of a saintly person is marked by great holiness and virtue. Holiness, however, refers to the state of religious or spiritual goodness and well-being of the living. It is manifest in personal integrity (hence "holy" from whole), good moral conduct, oneness with others, society and the environment. As a diffuse socio-religious culture it is not restricted to anyone person or a heavenly saint. Whereas saints are canonized posthumously by a Church, the greatest majority of holy people never come to be declared saints. Ordinary holiness, though very real, often escapes the attention of official religion.