A mediative reflections on the Way of the Cross – The Diocesan Via Sagra, will take place on Ghammar Hill, opposite Ta’ Pinu National Sanctuary in Gozo next Sunday and will be broadcast live on Radju Marija 102.3/107.8FM.

The Bishop of Gozo. Mgr Anton Teuma will lead mediative reflections, together with the participation of the chaplain, a priest and the faithful from the Diocese of Gozo and from Malta.

At the conclusion the Bishop will give a short message, followed by the Eucharistic Benediction.

Everyone is invited to participate in this special event, taking place on Sunday, the 26th of March at 4.30pm and to take with them a red candle.

History of the Via Crucis Ta’ Ghammar Hill

The Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu had asked Frangisk Portelli to advocate devotion towards the hidden wound on Christ’s shoulder caused by the heavy wooden cross. Because of this, after the end of World War II, a small number of devotees began to make a repentance walk up the steep path to the top of Ghammar Hill, situated opposite Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.

A proposal was made for the transformation of the hillside into a Via Crucis thus making it possible to pilgrim, to walk uphill and meditate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord.

The original models of the statues were wrought by Alfred Camilleri Cauchi and where commissioned by the rector Mgr. Lawrence Portelli in 1970, to the Italian Firm Tiemistocle Sarti, under the direction of the artist Gualtiero Luisi.

Mgr. Benedict Camilleri who succeeded Mgr. Portelli as rector of the Basilica on 15 June 1970, took a keen interest in the setting up of the Via Crucis, widening the path leading from Ta’ Pinu Parvis to the hilltop of Ghammar, the plantation of tress alongside the way and the open-air amphitheatre on the summit of the hill.

In recent times a meditation of the Way of the Cross is organised on the Ghammar Hill and is led by the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Anton Teuma.

File photograph: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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