National pilgrimage to Ta' Pinu

Archbishop Paul Cremona will lead a national pilgrimage to Ta' Pinu sanctuary in Għarb next Sunday at 7 p.m., which will mark the 125th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's apparition to Carmela Grima.

At the end of the pilgrimage Mgr Cremona will concelebrate Pontifical Mass with Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Tommaso Caputo, and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, on the sanctuary parvis.

Transport to Gozo will be available from Ċirkewwa at 6 p.m. The ferry will return to Malta at 10 p.m.

A commemoration in honour of Mgr Joseph Portelli, the rector who was instrumental in the building of the sanctuary, will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Fr Joseph Bezzina will deliver a speech followed by the blessing of the tomb of Mgr Portelli by Bishop Nikol Cauchi.

On Tuesday the parish of Munxar will organise a pilgrimage from Għarb Road to the sanctuary on Wednesday at 5 p.m. followed by Mass.

A new organ will be inaugurated on Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by a concert by Hugo Agius Muscat. At 8 p.m. there will be the inauguration of a new hall housing Emvin Cremona's paintings which were restored by Godwin Cutajar.

The Gozo Cathedral Chapter will concelebrate Mass at the sanctuary on Friday at 6 p.m. At 7.30 p.m. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Fr Charles Fenech of Radju Marija will lead prayers and an aux flambeaux on the church parvis.

Mgr Carmelo Gauci, archpriest of Għarb, will lead solemn vespers at the sanctuary on Saturday at 6.30 p.m. The Għarb, Nadur, Xagħra and St George collegiate chapters will take part. A vigil of prayer in front of Karmni Grima house, including an aux flambeaux, will start at 8.30 p.m.