The statue of St Mary at the church in Comino recently underwent restoration by Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia of Victoria and financed by the Gozo Ministry. The statue, created by artist Wistin Camilleri, was donated by Captain Charles Vassallo in 1948.
As part of last weekend’s Festa ta’ Kemmuna, the statue was taken on a pilgrimage from Mġarr harbour back to Comino. Prior to leaving the harbour accompanied by several boats, the statue was blessed by Fr Charles Buttigieg and Fr Marcello Ghirlando in the presence of Gozo Minister Anton Refalo and Għajnsielem mayor Franco Ciangura.
In Comino it was welcomed on St Mary’s quay by St Joseph Band of Għajnsielem, which performed marches as it accompanied the statue in a procession from the quay to the church on the island, where an open air Mass was celebrated.