Virgin ta Pinu
Encyclopedia
The Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu, or as it is known in Maltese
, "Il-Madonna ta' Pinu" is a religious belief which originated from Gozo
, the sister island of Malta
. The many Maltese
and Gozitans living abroad have managed to spread this devotion in many other parts of the world. This (religious practice)
is officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
.
, heard a female voice coming from the small chapel that was in the vicinities. The voice was calling her in Maltese
, and telling her "Ejja...ejja!" (in English "Come...come!") When she entered the chapel, the same voice told her to "recite three Hail Mary’s in honour of the three days that my body rested in the tomb." The secret was not revealed until two years later, when a woman was miraculously healed after invoking the "Madonna ta' Pinu" (Pinu was the owner of the field in which the chapel was situated)
From 1887 onwards, many pilgrimages were organized to this chapel, and the need for a new, much larger church arose. On May 30, 1920, the foundation stone of the new church was laid. The church was finally consecrated on the 13th December 1931, and from that day onwards, the numerous people visiting the church did not cease.
, but even overseas, wherever there was a Maltese
diaspora
. Since thousands of the Maltese
and Gozitans emigrated to the United States
and to Australia
, in these countries the Maltese have even erected shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Ta' Pinu. This was done to remind the Maltese and Gozitans about their roots and even of their traditions and religious beliefs. Many of these Maltese emigrants,when revisting their homeland, they often visit Ta' Pinu, mostly to thank the Virgin Mary for their safe trip. The late Frenc Tal-Gharb
had a great devotion towards Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu.
s which have been given to this sanctuary by those who have either been healed, saved or received favours through the intercession of Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu. Today, these can still be seen by the many people who every day visit this Holy Place.
during his visit to the island of Malta
on 26 May 1990 where His Holiness celebrated mass on its parvise. If you click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqG5BCatYEw you will be able to view a short video of this historic visit.
On 18 April 2010, when visiting Malta
, Pope Benedict XVI
donated and placed a Golden Rose
in front of the devotional image of Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu which was brought over from Gozo
to Malta
for this special occasion. The Pope invited everybody to "Pray to Her Under the Title Queen of the Family"
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
, "Il-Madonna ta' Pinu" is a religious belief which originated from Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
, the sister island of Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. The many Maltese
Maltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Gozitans living abroad have managed to spread this devotion in many other parts of the world. This (religious practice)
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
is officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
Origin Of The Cult
On the 22nd of June 1883, a Gozitan peasant and worker in a field, Karmni GrimaKarmni Grima
Karmni Grima was a Maltese peasant whose mystical religious experience led to the construction of the church of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.Karmni Grima was born in the village of Għarb in Gozo, the sister island of Malta...
, heard a female voice coming from the small chapel that was in the vicinities. The voice was calling her in Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
, and telling her "Ejja...ejja!" (in English "Come...come!") When she entered the chapel, the same voice told her to "recite three Hail Mary’s in honour of the three days that my body rested in the tomb." The secret was not revealed until two years later, when a woman was miraculously healed after invoking the "Madonna ta' Pinu" (Pinu was the owner of the field in which the chapel was situated)
From 1887 onwards, many pilgrimages were organized to this chapel, and the need for a new, much larger church arose. On May 30, 1920, the foundation stone of the new church was laid. The church was finally consecrated on the 13th December 1931, and from that day onwards, the numerous people visiting the church did not cease.
Cult Spreading
The cult of Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu spread not only in MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, but even overseas, wherever there was a Maltese
Maltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
diaspora
Diaspora
A diaspora is "the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an established or ancestral homeland" or "people dispersed by whatever cause to more than one location", or "people settled far from their ancestral homelands".The word has come to refer to historical mass-dispersions of...
. Since thousands of the Maltese
Maltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Gozitans emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, in these countries the Maltese have even erected shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Ta' Pinu. This was done to remind the Maltese and Gozitans about their roots and even of their traditions and religious beliefs. Many of these Maltese emigrants,when revisting their homeland, they often visit Ta' Pinu, mostly to thank the Virgin Mary for their safe trip. The late Frenc Tal-Gharb
Frenc Tal-Gharb
Francis Xavier Mercieca, known as Frenc tal-Gharb, was born in Għarb Gozo on the 3 December 1892. His parents, Salvu Mercieca and Beneditta née Mercieca, reared a family of twelve children...
had a great devotion towards Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu.
Miraculous Healings and Ex-votos
The Virgin of Ta' Pinu has often been connected to several miraculous healings of both Maltese and foreigners, who claim to have been saved, healed or helped through the intercession of the Virgin. The Sanctuary is adorned with many beautiful ex-votoEx-voto
An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or divinity. It is given in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion...
s which have been given to this sanctuary by those who have either been healed, saved or received favours through the intercession of Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu. Today, these can still be seen by the many people who every day visit this Holy Place.
The Popes And Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu
The Sanctuary of Ta' Pinu was visited by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
during his visit to the island of Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
on 26 May 1990 where His Holiness celebrated mass on its parvise. If you click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqG5BCatYEw you will be able to view a short video of this historic visit.
On 18 April 2010, when visiting Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
donated and placed a Golden Rose
Golden Rose
The Golden Rose is a gold ornament, which popes of the Catholic Church have traditionally blessed annually. It is occasionally conferred as a token of reverence or affection...
in front of the devotional image of Our Lady Of Ta' Pinu which was brought over from Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
for this special occasion. The Pope invited everybody to "Pray to Her Under the Title Queen of the Family"