Grace Borg, 79, makes no secret of how happy she is to spend her waking hours volunteering at the Mosta rotunda. In fact, the jovial lady wouldn’t have it any other way, since practically all her life has revolved around the wonderful church.

“The Mosta rotunda, is a magnificent monument, adorned with the finest art and religious articles, but it is most importantly a place of worship,” Grace immediately points out.

Grace is one of a small army of volunteers who welcome guests from around the world, who would be visiting the Mosta rotunda museum.

“When visitors enter the wonderful building, they are awestruck by the beautiful paintings by Giuseppe Calí, and Stefano Erardi, by the intricate decorations on the stone walls, and the marble flooring, not to mention by the sheer enormous dimensions of the cupola which dominates the Maltese skyline. But while I enjoy giving visitors information about all these things, I make it a point to give them something even more personal about what this marvellous temple means to me and the community I form part of.”

Grace comes from a large family, in fact she is one of five siblings, and all her family was baptised in the very church.

“I am told that I was baptised the day after I was born, as was the custom at the time. My mother, in fact, couldn’t join the party, as she was not in a state to come to church yet. I was carried by a female relative, something which later I did myself, carrying my nephews and nieces to the church, because their mothers would still be indisposed,” Grace explains.

Grace also celebrated her first Holy Communion at the church followed by her Confirmation which at the time would be celebrated on the same day.

“I was very proud of my second-hand dress which I inherited from my older siblings. I remember clearly, even though I was still very young, being woken up by my mother at 5am, to be washed and prepared.” In post-war Malta, everyday luxuries were rare if non-existent, but certain things remain imprinted in one’s memory. “I remember my mother had bought a special Pears bar of soap, which she used to wash me for the important day, as I was not too fond of the usual cheaper soap that we used at home,” Grace reminisces.

“Then it was my turn to go on a tour of family members and neighbours, to flaunt my beautiful dress and receive gifts for the occasion, which would invariably be either sweets or Rosary beads or religious prayer books.”

At Christmas time, Grace remembers attending midnight Mass fondly, only after she would have had a generous helping of imbuljuta, a local, seasonal concoction of chestnuts and hot cocoa. “By 10pm we would be at the church to make sure we get the best seats in the house, and wouldn’t miss any of the carolling or the altar-boy’s sermon.”

In summer it would then be the turn of the feast dedicated to Our Lady’s Assumption into Heaven, which is celebrated on 15th August, known simply as Santa Marija. “This too was a special time for us, as we grew older, it was the only time we got to meet boys!” Grace says cheekily. “In fact, it was during one of the many Santa Marijas I remember, that I met my husband – and the rest is history!”

The emotional affinity to the rotunda continued to grow with Grace’s own family. She was married to her husband 50 years prior in the rotunda and baptised all her children there.

“I remember the red carpet that was laid down for us, as we arrived at the church for our big day.” At the time, wedding services differed slightly from the way they are celebrated today, and the groom would traditionally wait for his bride in the main doorway of the church rather than at the altar. “When I arrived, accompanied by my father, my husband-to-be was smiling radiantly. My father on the other hand was quick to tell him, make sure you take care of her!”

Grace happily says that working in the building that has meant so much to her and to her family is priceless: “I do it because it allows me to meet many people from all over the globe. But it is also a way of keeping my connection with my heritage alive.”

To learn more about the Mosta Rotunda Museum click here.