Processions, figolli, and Easter eggs: Malta celebrates Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday celebrations were today held around Malta, with Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrating mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

The mass also saw a Kenyan woman who was formerly Lutheran accepted in the Catholic Church, while the archbishop also baptised three babies – including one from a single mother.

Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is described as having occurred on three days after the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday. Easter also brings an end to Lent, while the Easter season ends on Pentecost Sunday.

In Malta, in line with traditions, parishioners across Malta and Gozo mark Easter Sunday with several processions with statures of the Risen Christ. Runs with the statues are also held along parts of the routes.

Families also generally gather for Easter Lunch, a time for the whole family to meet, celebrate and eat and drink together. The main meal is usually the traditional lamb, with potatoes and vegetables, followed by the Maltese traditional sweet figolli which, prepared days in advance, are handed out to family and friends.

Children had their Easter eggs and figolli blessed, while mass was celebrated in Malta’s churches. At San Anton palace, children were given figolli made by residents at the Corradino Correctional Facility made the figolli.