Nuestra Señora de Ta’ Pinu

Marian title of Għarb (Gozo) (Gozo)

From the historical point of view, in the place of Ta'Pinu there was already a antes capillary of siglo XVAccording to documents that mention a humble church known as the "church of the Gentiles." Other sources certainly point to the existence of a chapel in 1545, but probably on an even older building. In 1575, the apostolic visitor Pietro Dusina ordered his demolition because of the poor state of the building, but the works were interrupted after a worker's accident, which allowed his preservation and subsequent restoration by a secular called Killed (Pilted) Gauciwho put a Marian image there. At the beginning of the 17th century the old church was remodeled.

Main data

Origin and history

From the historical point of view, in the place of Ta'Pinu there was already a antes capillary of siglo XVAccording to documents that mention a humble church known as the "church of the Gentiles." Other sources certainly point to the existence of a chapel in 1545, but probably on an even older building. In 1575, the apostolic visitor Pietro Dusina ordered his demolition because of the poor state of the building, but the works were interrupted after a worker's accident, which allowed his preservation and subsequent restoration by a secular called Killed (Pilted) Gauciwho put a Marian image there. At the beginning of the 17th century the old church was remodeled.

La devoción actual is linked to events in 1883. On June 22 of that year, the peasant Karmni Grimawho returned from work in the field, said he had heard a voice calling her from the chapel of Ta'Pinu, inviting her to pray three Avemarias in honor of the Virgin of the Three Days of Iron. Grima reported the event to her friend Ahmad Portelliwho said he heard the same words near the same place. These events were subsequently associated spiritual favors and cures attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Ta'Pinu, spreading the fame of the sanctuary throughout the Maltese archipelago.

The construction of new temple started in 1920, rising up a great church neorromanic in front of the old chapel, which was incorporated into the whole and remains fully behind the main altar. The basilica was erected as National Sanctuary of the Virgin of Ta'Pinu and subsequently elevated to the dignity of minor basilica. Over time, it became the main pilgrimage center of Malta and a spiritual symbol of the island of Gozo.

The image and the sanctuary

In the sanctuary a devotional image of the Virgin Mary, traditionally associated with the mystery of AssumptionIn fact, the basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. The original image (an ancient Marian picture) is kept in the chapel integrated inside the sanctuary, although the sources consulted do not provide clear and coincident precise technical details about its author, date, style or materials; therefore, does not consist of documented accuracy the complete artistic description of the painting.

El National Sanctuary of the Virgin of Ta'Pinu (Santwarju talk- Madonna ta'Pinu) es una Catholic parish church and minor basilica located in open field, at 700 metres from the village of Għarbon the island of GozoMalta. The present temple, started in 1920, is built in style neorromanic, con la típica pidra amarilla maltesa. Destaca la bell tower of about 61 meters of height and monumental silhouette, visible from many points of the island.

The interior has mosaics, 76 colored windows, reddish marble columns, delicate works of ebanisteria and numerous rooms full of exvotes (scayolas, orthopedic objects, helmets, baby dresses, etc.), testimony of graces and cures attributed to the intercession of the Virgin. On the outside, the great explanade was embellished in 2017 with mosaicos del padre Marko Ivan Rupnikrepresenting the 20 mysteries of the Rosary and the life of Jesus and Mary.

The sanctuary has been visited by several Popes. San Juan Pablo II He celebrated the Eucharist there on May 26, 1990. Benedict XVI In 2010 he offered a gold rose to the image of Our Lady of Ta'Pinu, moved to Malta for the occasion. Pope Francis He visited the sanctuary and presided there over a prayer meeting during his trip to Malta in 2022, stressing its spiritual importance for the Maltese people.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Ta'Pinu is recognized as great spiritual patron of the Maltese peopleand the sanctuary is considered the main Marian pilgrimage center of the archipelago and one of the most important Marian shrines in the Mediterranean. It's officially National Sanctuary from Malta. Some sources describe devotion as particularly linked to the island of Gozoalthough there is no formal provision in the sources consulted for a specific decree of canonical patronage (for example, as the principal patron of the diocese).

On the canonical coronationthe available sources (sanctuary, diocese, historical synthesis and Catholic press articles) do not provide a clear and documented data on a date or on the pontifical decree of coronation. Therefore, according to the information accessible and verified, does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Ta'Pinu is closely linked to the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, el August 15which is held in Malta with particular intensity. Every 15 August, miles de peregrinos Go to the sanctuary to pray, give thanks and offer exvotes in recognition of the graces received.

A well-established tradition is the "15 Wednesday" before the AssumptionFrom the first Wednesday of May to the 15th of August, the sanctuary keeps an extended schedule of masses and remains open almost continuously to welcome the pilgrims. In those days, the Eucharistic celebrations multiply and the faithful come to ask for the protection of the Virgin over their families, sick and labor.

Entre los rasgos devocionales más característicos destacan: – La presencia de exvotes que cubren galerías y pasillos, signo de una confianza sencilla y concreta en la intercesión de María. – La peregrinación a pie desde distintos puntos de Gozo y de Malta, especialmente en torno al 15 de agosto y en otras fiestas marianas. – El uso del santuario como lugar de national prayer in times of trial, disease or crisis, as highlighted by the chronicles and testimonies collected by the Catholic press.

Link to the Rosary

The link between Our Lady of Ta'Pinu and the Rosary is expressed in a very visible way in the outdoor mosaics que representan los 20 mysteries of the Rosary (joyful, bright, painful and glorious) in the shrine, made by Father Marko Ivan Rupnik. This iconographic set invites pilgrims to to walk and meditate on the mysteries while the Rosary is praying around the temple.

The sources do not point to an exclusive practice or a historical fellowship of the Rosary specifically linked to this advocation; however, the sanctuary is a place where the prayer of the Rosary is naturally integrated into liturgical life and pilgrimages, particularly in the "fifteen Wednesday" and in the feast of the Assumption.

Although there is no unique tradition of the Rosary of Ta'Pinu, the spirituality of the sanctuary is fully harmonized with the spirituality of the Rosary, that