The Malta Airport Foundation announced the completion of embellishment works at the Parish Church of Saint Leonard in Kirkop, which included the commissioning of new artworks for the church’s south transept dedicated to the Holy Crucifix.
The painting that now enriches the church’s interior represents two main themes that were intertwined with the life of Saint Leonard, those being his decision to become a deacon and to live out his sacred mission as a hermit, Malta International Airport (MIA) said. A shining example of living the gospel, the saint became known for his good deeds and acts of service.
The painting also personifies the acts of mercy that came to dominate Saint Leonard’s life and depicts contemporary saints and blessed who similarly dedicated their lives to the service of others, including Charles de Foucauld, Giovanni Durante, Enrique de Almozora and Christian de Cherge.
Created by local artist Anthony Spagnol, the paintings were designed to capture the attention of modern churchgoers while blending seamlessly with the church’s existing décor. Spagnol studied the work of renowned Maltese sacred artist Giuseppe Briffa, who painted the church’s existing ceiling decorations in the 1960s, ensuring the new scheme respects Briffa’s proportions, palette, and style while maintaining its own contemporary character.
The embellishment project was unveiled and is now open for public viewing during the church’s regular opening hours, MIA said.
Malta Airport Foundation Chairman Josef Formosa Gauci said that the foundation has always sought out projects that not only champion our culture and identity but also give something back to the community. He noted that the opportunity to support this project in Kirkop was particularly meaningful, given the foundation’s close ties to the airport’s neighbouring villages.
“We believe that what the South of Malta has to offer, whether it is temples, churches, a coastline dotted with watchtowers, maritime heritage, some of the best feasts on the island, and an entrenched sense of community, enriches not only our tourism product but the lives of those who call Malta home,” he said.
“This is one of the main tenets that informed the project we are celebrating today, that the art that now adorns the church not only enriches the building and delights its viewers but also serves as a point of reflection that encourages spiritual growth.”
For Kirkop parish priest Fr Martin Cardona, the significance of this project stems from the church’s centrality to the community, with the building being both a main attraction in the picturesque village and a place where all Kirkop natives can gather. Furthermore, Fr Cardona believes that in addition to continuing to enrich the church’s artistic and historical heritage, the new painting will also serve to encourage people to reflect on the virtues that dominated the life of Saint Leonard and remain relevant even in our time, the MIA statement said.
Founded in 2014, the Malta Airport Foundation operates with the goal of investing directly in Malta’s tourism product, particularly projects that concern the artistic, architectural, and environmental heritage of the Maltese Islands.