Two French friends, my wife and I happened to visit the national sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu, near L-Għammar, and Għarb on June 22.

The old car park near the shrine has rightly been moved outside its perimeter not to distract from the devotion attached to this national temple.

The beautiful new mosaics depicting the 20 mysteries of the Rosary, designed by an internationally-acclaimed theologian, greeted and edified us. However, their background design is too high, marring the skyline of this temple. We went into the church and were greeted by the booming voice of a priest delivering the homily during Mass marking the anniversary of Karmni Grima’s experiences with Our Lady on June 22, 1885. I felt the organ music was excessively loud though the celebration, attended by a big congregation, was quite beautiful.

Towards the end of the celebration, those present became quite noisy, breaking the silence befitting such a temple. Our French friends were visibly touched.

Grima’s and Franġisku Portelli’s were very ordinary Marian experiences that have clearly kindled an undying flame at Ta’ Pinu sanctuary for past, present and future generations.

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