On Friday, 23 April, 2010, Archbishop Paul Cremona OP led the Pilgrimage with the Ta’ Pinu titular painting to its sanctuary in Gozo. The Basilica of Ta’ Pinu, being a Marian Sanctuary has been given the Goldren Rose by Pope Benedict XVI himself at the Floriana Granaries on Sunday 18th April, 2010.
Christians were invited to accompany the titular painting of the Madonna ta’ Pinu during a carcade from the Mosta Parish Church towards the Sanctuary of Ta Pinu in Gozo. Enroute, the procession stopped for a while at the Sanctuary of the Madonna in Mellieha. Around 4.30 pm, the painting and the pilgrims boarded the Gozo Channel ferry with the name of Ta Pinu.
Around 5pm Bishop Mario Grech, together with the Gozitan people, welcomed the painting at Mgarr and the pilgrimage proceeded towards the Sanctuary in Gharb, passing through Ghajnsielem, Xewkija, Rabat and Ghasri. On arriving at the Chapel of St Publius, the procession continued with the participation of the clergy and Marian fraternities from the Gozitan parishes. Upon its arrival at the Sanctuary, a Pontifical Mass of thanksgiving for the papal visit was led by Archbishop Paul Cremona, together with the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr Tommaso Caputo and the Bishop of Gozo, Mario Grech, Archbishop Emeritus Guzeppi Mercieca, and Archbishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi, and other bishops.
Click on the photo to enlarge. The photos of this event may be purchased from PHOTOCITY, Valletta. Tel: 21236723. Email: [email protected]