The Capuchin Community of Victoria recently commemorated the crowning of Stefano Erardi’s titular painting of the Virgin and Child at Our Lady of Graces church, which forms part of the Capuchin convent.
Fr Godfrey Zarb, Father Guardian of the convent, celebrated Mass and inaugurated a ganutel garland for the statue of the Virgin of Divine Grace venerated in the same sanctuary. The Fjur t’Assisi Choir under the direction of Marita Cassar took part in the ceremony.
The heads of the Virgin and Child in the painting had been crowned by Gozo bishop Joseph Pace at a ceremony held in St Francis Square, Victoria, on January 27, 1952.
The golden coronets that were affixed to the canvas were later stolen and subsequently replaced by silver crowns plated in gold.
The precious painting was restored in 2012, and to avoid damaging it again, the crowns are kept in a mahogany showcase.