Emvin Cremona’s Pauline panels restored

Many would have visited the Catholic Institute in Floriana, either for a meeting, a play or a movie at the Auditorium, or simply to visit the offices found in one of the three spacious floors.

[attach id=834043 size="medium" align="right" type="image"]A photo from 1960 shows the panels incorporated into the main stage set up for the Pauline celebrationsin Floriana.[/attach]

This imposing building was officially inaugurated in 1960, to coincide with the centennial celebrations of St Paul’s shipwreck. It was commissioned and opened by Archbishop Michael Gonzi, and, appropriately enough, one of the largest meeting halls was dedicated to him ‒ Gonzi Hall is situated on the first floor.

After the Pauline centennial was over, the impressive panels depicting scenes from the life of St Paul, now considered another masterpiece by Emvin Cremona, were placed high on the wall of this hall.

They were originally used and incorporated in the main stage set up for the liturgical and cultural Pauline celebrations in Floriana.

For many years, the Gonzi Hall was the most prominent meeting place at the Catholic Institute and was used for conferences, exhibitions and various meetings. Presently, it...