Ta Liesse church in Valletta feels silent and shady.  One can have a look around the high ceiling, the magnificent main altar, statues and paintings lurk in the semi-darkness of the shadows, their surfaces reflecting the glint of light from the lamps and chandeliers.

The year 2008 was a special one, as the little church was honoured by a visit by Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P., who consecrated the church’s main altar while relics of Blessed Nazju Falzon were laid at its base. The choice is appropriate, not only did Nazju Falzon live in Valletta, but he is also connected with the sea, just like the small church.

Its closeness to the sea in fact means that its rector, Fr. Paul Attard OFM, is also chaplain to the port area, taking care of the spiritual needs of the congregation and seamen who disembark from the large ships that dock inside the harbour.  This apostolate is done together with his associate Fr. Raymond Falzon OFM.

In recent years, Liesse Church has also started celebrating weddings and holding community events such as concerts, the feast of St Francis with the blessing of the pets, so the church is full of birds, cats and dogs.  On St Anthony’s Day, members of the congregation are given rolls of St Anthony’s bread while flowers are given out on Mother’s Day and figolli in Easter.  At Christmas, the sermon (written by Fr. Attard) is delivered by two young altar servers, while the congregation awaits the moment to sing “Ejjew Immorru Rgħajja” led by the celebrant himself playing on the guitar during the midnight Mass.

The main painting shows the image of Our Lady of Liesse with three knights. “The legend goes, that in around 1134 three Knights were taken into slavery by the Infidels. The Sultan of Egypt attempted to convert them to Islam but the three remained steadfast. Finally, he sent them his daughter, Ismeria, who was well-versed in the teachings of Islam.  But it so happened that the daughter was so impressed with the Knights’ love for their faith that she was converted instead.  Eventually she asked them to sculpt a statue of Our Lady for her, and the Knights, who did not have the required skills, prayed fervently to Our Lady for some help. And so it was that Our Lady sent a statue to them. When Ismeria saw this, she left Egypt with the three Knights and they drifted down the Nile to France, where she was baptized and took on the name of Maria.

It was the Knights then, who brought the devotion to Our Lady of Liesse to Malta, building a church in her honour in 1620; it was rebuilt in 1740 and again after the war.  As one walks around the church, one may enjoy the various hidden treasures: the sacred remains of the martyr St Generoso; the heart of the count of Beaujolais, brother of King Louis Philippe of France, who died in Malta in 1808. Although his remains are buried in the Chapel of France at st John’s co-Cathedral, he wished for his heart to be buried at Ta’ Liesse. In a glass case in a corner, the church also houses the only statue of Our Lady of Liesse on the Maltese islands.

The church is much-loved, with volunteers and benefactors keeping it going through donations, small contributions and their services. Among the latter, David Gauci Hampton and his family render their service voluntarily with such enthusiasm for the church.

Mepa scheduled the church of Liesse as a Grade I national monument as per Government Notice number 276/08 in the Government Gazette dated March 28.

Walking out of this wonderful church, one cannot but appreciate the Valletta harbour, the magnificent old fortifications, shining in their ancient glory. Leaving behind the elegant crumbling church, its nondescript walls a haven of peace for those wanderers who venture away from the bustle of the capital.