It was on the 11th of February 1858, when the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France for the first time.

Eighteen apparitions took place in all and Lourdes soon became a center of pilgrimage and prayers. It was Christianity’s foremost pilgrim site.

In Gozo, there is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. This church is built on a hill used to be known ‘tal-Qortin’ and overlooks Mgarr harbor. This was built in the year 1888. The work was finished by the Maltese architect Caruana Galizia on a Gothic style. Works on this chapel were finished on the 6th of February 1892 and a year later, on the27th of August 1893, it was blessed by bishop Giovanni M. Camilleri. The church was consecrated on the 18th of February 1950.

The apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes are solemnly commemorated every year in this church and people from all over Gozo flock to this church to recite the Holy Rosary and participate in Holy Mass.

The programme of activities for this year is as follows:

Today, Friday, the 11th of February 2011: First Apparition of Our Lady in Lourdes.

The church is open during the whole day. Masses are celebrated at 7am, 9am, 11am and 1pm.

4.30pm: Eucharistic Adoration including the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Solemn Eucharistic Benediction.

5.00pm: A Concelebrated Mass led by Rev. Canon Frankie Bajada, Archpriest of Ghajnsielem Parish. The Lauretana Choir, under the direction of Mr. Lelio Spiteri, animates the Liturgy.

Monday 14th February 2011: Second Apparition of Our Lady in Lourdes.

The church is open during the whole day. Masses are celebrated at 7am, 9am, 11am and 1pm.

4.30pm: Eucharistic Adoration including the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Benediction.

5.00pm: Solemn Mass with homily animated by organist Ivan Attard.

This programme is repeated during the other sixteen apparitions, which are held during these days:

Friday 18th February (Church dedication anniversary); Saturday 19th February; Sunday 20th February; Monday 21st February; Wednesday 23rd February; Thursday 24th February; Friday 25th February; Saturday 26th February; Sunday 27th February;

Monday 28th February; Tuesday 1st March; Wednesday 2nd March; Friday 4th March; Friday 25th March; Thursday 7th April and Saturday 16th July 2011.

The Rector of the church, Fr. Tarcisio Attard, invites all Gozitans to visit the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church dedicated to her in Mgarr. The commemoration of the apparitions in Lourdes is a sign of grace to all the Christians.

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