MALTA-Zejtun: Christmas Mechanical Crib at Jesus of Nazareth Institute

Recently, we visited the Mechanical Crib at the Institute of Jesus of Nazareth at Zejtun. It was the first Mechanical Crib in Malta. The Crib was initiated by the late Bishop Emmanuel Galea in 1946 then director of the institute and orphanage. His Grace then constructed the Crib together with his nephew Paul Pavia in 1947.

The Crib:
The scenery was divided to show Jesus's birth and early life to Flight of Egypt. It was was made of paper mache' . There are 88 statues mechanically move in synchrony. The clothes of the statues were sewn by the nuns.

Paul Pavia's nephew, Joseph Pavia, takes care of its maintenance and renovation. A new lighting system has been installed together with an audio commentary in 5 languages i.e. Maltese, Italian, English, French & German to enlighten the visitors for the concept of the crib.

The institute of Jesus of Nazareth:
It was founded by Guseppina Curmi, the daughter of the mayor of Zejtun. The present Institute was built in 1913 while the church was built in 1853 and consecrated in 1958.

This very extensive building used to house as many as 200 orphans in the difficult years following the Second World War. The Home is run by the Jesus of Nazareth Sisters.

The Tomb of The late Bishop Emmanuel Galea:
Bishop Galea's remains were transferred to the Institute's church and placed in a tomb on the right hand side of the church near a corridor.

His living quarters in the Institute is now a museum where his personal belongings are displayed.

Thank you for watching.

Video by:
Alfred & Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech, Mosta, Malta.

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MALTA, MALAYSIA & OTHER (Jasmine's Videos)
jasalf5959 Youtube Channel
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Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• malta
• gozo
• mosta
• zejtun
• malaysia
• mechanical
• christmas
• crib
• milied
• natale
• nativity
• navidad
• natal
• flight
• egypt
• jesus
• mary
• joseph
• nazareth
• institute
• orphanage
• his
• grace
• bishop
• emmanuel
• galea
• paul
• pavia
• choy
• hong
• jasmine
• alfred
• grech
• jasalf5959
• mother
• superior
• helen
• delicata
• sisters
• nuns
• presepju
• creche
• pasturi
• manger
• bethlehem
• star
• shepherds
• annunciation

[madmiask]

Awesome job : I add it to my playlist.

[JasAlf5959]

@madmiask Thank you very much for your compliments and kind interest.

Warm regards from Malta,

Jasmine

[Grazio333]

JASMINE: many thanks for sharing this beautiful video. It triggers a wealth of emotions and very fond memories of that crib I used to visit often at Xmas time, ....when I was a kid.....decades ago......

"Zejtuni" Grazio (South Bend, Indiana, USA)

[JasAlf5959]

@Grazio333 Grazzi hafna Grazio for your kind compliments. Glad that the video brought you fond memories. It was our 3rd visit there. We enjoyed it a lot as it is historic.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Jasmine & Alfred

[jimbo231157]

Well presented Jas/Alf. as stated above , a lovely way to wake up to New Years Day 2011.

Jim/Angela

xoxox

[JasAlf5959]

@jimbo231157 Thank you Jim for the wonderful compliments. Glad that you found it a pleasant surprise especially for New Year's day.

Happy Ne Year to you and family.

Jasmine & Alfred

[malpen04]

@clementezammit Thank you very much Clemente. The demise of Bishop Grech is definitely a sad event. Glad you enjoyed the video that was the idea of the beloved Bishop Galea and it's still very popular.

Jasmine's pc is on the blink - reformat - so I'm replying from malpen04.

Regards and appreciation.

[clementezammit]

A little bit late in the day to add my comments, but here in Melbourne for all of last week our time was taken up farewelling Bishop Joe Grech on his way to heaven. Once more, thank you for re-kindling through your beautiful videos the magical memories we have of our childhood in Malta. With friendly thoughts, Clemente

[mychoicealfred4]

@rabela100 Thanks for your kind words Ruben. Feel free to post the video on Wirt iz-Zejtun. We have several videos about Zejtun and that's because the village is beautiful and the activities are well organized. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

[rabela100]

Thanks Alfred and Jasmine for promoting and sharing our wealthy heritage with the rest of the world.  If you don't mind I will be posting the video on the Wirt iz-Zejtun Facebook Group.

Best wishes for the New Year

[JasAlf5959]

@ShirleyJean1000 Thank you very much for your compliments and comment. Glad that you enjoyed this video presentation. The 1st mechanical crib here brings back lots of fond memories for many locals. Alfred's dad used to bring him to see this crib when he was a kid. The church is beautiful. Felt the sense of peace and serenity when entering it. The Sisters are like Angels. All, left us with wonderful memory.

Happy New Year to you and family.

Jasmine & Alfred