Our Lady of Graces of the United States

Marian Invocation of Śabbar (Malta)

According to tradition, devotion to Our Lady of Graces of the United States it dates back to an ancient Marian image venerated in the area at least since the 16th century, around which the faithful came in search of protection, especially sailors and inhabitants of the town. This tradition particularly links the Virgin to the intercession in dangers of the sea and situations of war, a remote origin of the many exvotes that are preserved today in the sanctuary.

Main data

Origin and history

According to tradition, devotion to Our Lady of Graces of the United States it dates back to an ancient Marian image venerated in the area at least since the 16th century, around which the faithful came in search of protection, especially sailors and inhabitants of the town. This tradition particularly links the Virgin to the intercession in dangers of the sea and situations of war, a remote origin of the many exvotes that are preserved today in the sanctuary.

In the plan of the documented historyIt is clear that there was already a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Grace in the 16th century. The present church was built between 1641 y 1696, according to the designs of the Maltese architect Tommaso Dingli, prominent representative of the late Renaissance on the island. The parish of Śabbar was thus structured around this temple, which in time was consolidated as one of the main Marian centers of Malta, guarding an important heritage of sacred and exotic art.

Over the centuries, the sanctuary was enriched by contributions of faithful, co-fradies and devotees, especially during the naval conflicts and the presence of the Order of St. John, and later in the context of world wars, circumstances that explain the abundance of exvotes related to the protection of the Virgin in situations of danger.

The image and the sanctuary

La advocación de Our Lady of Graces of the United States (Madonna Tal- Grazzja) It focuses on a traditional Marian image, represented in devotional painting (pictorial icon) that shows the Virgin with the Child Jesus, in an attitude of intercession and mercy towards the faithful. The concrete iconography (disposition of hands, attributes) varies in different reproductions and exvotes, but the common feature is Mary's presentation as Mother of grace, close to human suffering. There are no secure details of the author, precise date of execution or materials of the main image of the main altar in the sources consulted; therefore, it is simply indicated that no documented data more specific about your authorship and dating.

The sanctuary is the Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces (in Maltese, commonly referred to as is-Santwarju). The temple, a cross-shaped temple with three ships, has a monumental façade with two bell towers and a dominant dome, a notable example of the Maltese ecclesiastical architecture of the 17th century. It was built between 1641 and 1696, following the plans of Tommaso Dingli, and is now integrated into Malta's cultural heritage as one of the most representative churches for its size, interior decoration and devotional significance.

A famous Museum of Exvotes, especially sailors, which retains some of Malta's oldest vocal paintings, including a work of 1631. This set of exvotes - ships, paintings, plates and other objects - is a historical testimony of the trust placed in the intercession of the Virgin of Graces for generations of marines, soldiers and Maltese families. It is not known that the temple has the title of a minor basilica or a national sanctuary; in the fountains it is presented as parish church and local Marian sanctuary.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Graces is Patron and great devotion of the town of Śabbarin the south-east of Malta. The religious and cultural identity of the city is strongly marked by this Marian advocation, to the point that the name itself and the community life revolve around the sanctuary and the annual feast in honor of the Virgin. There is no recognition of diocesan or national patronage in the sources consulted; therefore, it is indicated its main patronage over the municipality of Śabbar.

As for the canonical coronation of the image, the available sources (including general documentation on the church and the feast) do not mention any decree of canonical coronation given by the Holy See or by pontifical delegate, nor is a specific date for such ceremony cited. Therefore, following the criterion of historical rigour, it must be stated that does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The fiesta principal de Our Lady of Graces of the United States is held during the second week of Septemberwhen the call takes place Żabbar Festa. In those days, the streets of the village are embellished with lights, flags, decorations and Marian banners, and processions, religious events, band concerts and popular celebrations are organized in honor of the patron. The feast culminates with the solemn procession of the image and the mass participation of faithful from the locality and other parts of Malta.

Devotion is characterized by a strong dimension grateful and votive: the faithful come to thank the favors received and to entrust themselves to the protection of the Virgin, especially in situations of danger, disease or sea travel. The sanctuary is the destination of local pilgrimages and Maltese devotees who come to pray before the image, light candles and leave exvotes, continuing a tradition of centuries. The marine and military exvotes - painted ships, scenes of avoided shipwrecks, battles, accidents - show the spiritual history of Malta read in the light of Mary's intercession.

Link to the Rosary

In the specific sources on the Madonna tal-Grazzja de Żr there is no particular historical relationship between this advocation and a concrete fact associated with the prayer of the Rosary, nor the existence of a fellowship of the Rosary expressly linked to the sanctuary. Therefore, from a documentary point of view, it must be stated that no consta a specific or exclusive link to the Rosary beyond general Marian practice.

However, as in most Marian shrines of Catholic tradition, the Rosary is a regular form of prayer in the devotional life of the faithful. [It is reasonable inference from the general Catholic praxis] The meditation of the mysteries of Christ's life with Mary helps the devotees of Our Lady of Graces to make a grateful memory of the gifts received (in line with the exvotes) and to entrust to her the situations of danger, disease or necessity that local tradition associates to this advocation. In this way, the Rosary becomes a school of contemplation and intercession, in which the joyful, luminous, painful and glorious mysteries accompany the history of suffering and hope that is reflected in the sanctuary and its exvotes.