A bronze statue of Christ the King has been unveiled with a blessing in the place dedicated to Our Lady of Pinu in the area of Bacchus Marsh, which is located just outside Melbourne, Australia.

The Diocese of Gozo said that the inauguration of the statue and its blessings were carried out by Mons. Beneditt Camilleri helped by the work of the Chaplain of the Polish community in Melbourne Father Ted Rostworoski SJ.

This statue, which was made in Italy, is a copy of another statue that can be found next to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Swiebodzin, in the west of Poland, which built on a mound, stands some 52.5 metres tall overall. It was inaugurated on 6th of November 2010.

The event in Bacchus Marsh, which was attended by a large number of people, started with the procession from the Marian Centre which is located on the hill of Bacchus Marsh, moving on towards the Sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Pinu.

Recently in the chapel, which is a replica of the one here in Gozo at Ta’ Pinu, a beautiful copy was made of the mosaic of the image painted by Amedeo Perugino.

After the procession a Concelebrated Mass was held for which Mons. Eddie Zammit was present among others, delegate of the Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma.

At the end of the mass Mons. Zammit read a message that Bishop Teuma sent for this occasion to the Maltese and Gozitans who frequent this Holy place.

“The love of the Gozitans and the Maltese towards our Mother Mary is so great that it was not enough to build beautiful temples and sanctuaries on our islands. This love went beyond our island and even reached here in Melbourne, Australia. Because for us Gozitans and Maltese, the love for the Madonna and the love for the Madonna under the title Ta’ Pinu, gives us an identity, in other words, it helps us to feel always Gozitan and Maltese, even when we are out of our country,” said the Bishop in the message.

Present for this function was also a delegation from the Gharb Local Council in Gozo, led by Mayor David Apap who also presented Don Beneditt with a silver rose to be placed in front of the image of Our Lady of Pinu.

Following the Mass, another short procession took place with the participation of the Scout Band made up of children of Syrian and Lebanese descent towards the place where this monument of Christ the King was placed, and the unveiling and blessing ceremony.

Msgr. Beneditt Camilleri in a speech, also reminded about everyone who helped so that 30 years ago this area was able to be purchased and the Marian project could be started with the help of the Diocese of Gozo, the Sanctuary of Pinu and the approval of the Bishop of that time, Mons. Nikol G. Cauchi.

Photos: Diocese of Gozo

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