A symbol is indeed the only possible expression of some invisible essence
 William Butler Yeats
Our homes often tell the world something about ourselves, especially their exteriors. How often have you looked at a house and drawn some sort of conclusion about the people who live in it? Most obviously, we can tell if they are neat and tidy, or messy. We can tell if they favour bright colours or neutrals. More subtly, their choice of decorations shows us something of their taste and interests. Do they have lots of flowers? Do they have kitsch garden ornaments? Or do they perhaps display some sign of their faith and beliefs?
I mentioned already in my post about Valletta that the Maltese people have a strong religious faith and display that widely. Not only are there many public statues and images of saints. There are also a lot of private tokens of faith, often attached to a wall outside a house. I was especially conscious of this on a short walk around the older part of Sliema in the vicinity of our hotel. I found myself taking so many photos; each was unique but together they told a powerful story. And whether you share their faith or not, I think like me you will be rather moved that they feel it so deeply and show it so openly.
Here are my favourites:
I visited Sliema in May/June 2025
23 Comments
Rosy Mathew
This is so moving, faith displayed so openly and woven into the fabric of daily life is such a beautiful witness. I love how you captured not just the images but the spirit behind them. Even small tokens on homes can tell a story of devotion and belonging. Thank you for sharing these glimpses of faith that remind us how belief often lives quietly in everyday places. If GOD willing, if I start a family, this is something that I want to incorporate of having a small prayer where we could have praise and worship with my family and the ministry I am part of.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m very sorry Rosy, I only just spotted your comment here. Thank you for taking the time to share your response to these images.
Cheryl Petersen
Interesting, your post makes me wonder if signs of faith have unique nuances from signs of religion…
Sarah Wilkie
Interesting point. I guess religion is less personal than faith and doesn’t necessarily imply a deep commitment?
wetanddustyroads
This is what struck us first – how religious the Maltese were (and the second was how valuable families are to them). Beautiful variety of photos depicting how they express their faith.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you again 🙂 Yes, it’s clear family is very important here, I agree.
Annie Berger
I found it equally hard not to be moved by the Maltese people’s public proclamation of their faith. Nice shots, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie 🙂 It’s good to hear that you had the same impression of the Maltese people.
grandmisadventures
I am not particularly religious, but I am always fascinated and moved by religious art and creativity from faith
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Meg, I think a lot of us would feel the same seeing the devotion of these people
Teresa
Wow, such a religious place. I would love to see it in person.
Sarah Wilkie
As I think I mentioned before, I know you would like Malta a lot Teresa 🙂
EgÃdio
Those are such interesting observations, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio 🙂
Monkey's Tale
Those are very interesting Sarah. I was expecting small shrines or crosses, but not colourful icons. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie 🙂 Yes, I liked the way that the figures all looked different, and many of them like real people.
Sue
As Margaret says, although it did put me in mind of Sicily….
Sarah Wilkie
People in a lot of Catholic countries like to display their faith openly, but there did seem to be more here than anywhere else I’ve been!
Sue
OK
thehungrytravellers.blog
Not so subtle declarations of faiths huh, no doubting that element of who lives within those walls.
Sarah Wilkie
Definitely no doubting, very true, but these are all tiny so I guess they might claim they were fairly subtle?
margaret21
Goodness. The Virgin Mary looks even more omni-present here than in, say, Southern Spain or Italy.
Sarah Wilkie
She’s pretty much everywhere I would say, at least in the more traditionally built areas 😀