On Tuesday, 25 February 2020, Rev Dr Martin Micallef launched his new book 'Crux Invicta: Il-Kurċifiss Mirakuluż u l-Kapuċċini f’Għawdex' at San Anton Palace, Attard, in the presence of His Excellency, the President of Malta Dr George Vella.
The book which includes 476 pages and some 346 photos deals with the history of a 17th century Crucifix venerated in the Capuchin Church in Gozo. It brings together a number of 18th century primary sources about the history and the presence of this sacred image brought to Malta by the Commendatore Gabriele Miceli. The sacred image was donated to the Franciscan Capuchins in Gozo in 1746 by the famous Gozitan historian Gian Francesco Agius de Soldanis.
During the book launch, the President of Malta hailed this publication as an important landmark in the history, culture and spirituality of the Maltese islands. He praised the academic effort of the author in managing to uncover a number of old manuscripts that were considered lost or forgotten.
Judge Emeritus Giovanni Bonello described the publication as an encyclopedia that reveals new historical documentation on the local history. On his part, Prof. Stanley Fiorini emphasized how this new publication delves into the friendship of de Soldanis with the Capuchins in Gozo and how these friars feature in de Soldanis’ writings. Mr Paul Cassar presented the artistic innovations related to the Capuchin church in Gozo that feature prominently in this prestigious publication.
The author, Rev Dr Martin Micallef is a lecturer and former Head of Department of Sacred Scripture, Hebrew and Greek at the Faculty of Theology, University of Malta.