The JP2 Foundation anniversary commemoration held at Ta’ Pinu

The JP2 Foundation, together with the Basilica of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, recalled the 24th anniversary since Pope John Paul II, visited the Shrine and celebrated the first Pontiff Mass on the Maltese Island.

It was at the end of the Holy Eucharist Celebration, when the Rector of that time, Mgr Benedict Camilleri has asked His Holiness to put a stellar of five golden stars around the head of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu.

Today, this is a visual monument to all the pilgrims that visit the Sanctuary, of whom the prime pilgrim was the Pope, today Saint John Paul II.To commemorate this historical event which took place on Saturday 24th May 1990 a Religious – Cultural Evening was organised.

In the Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Ta ‘Pinu a Holy Rosary recital led by the voice of Pope John Paul II was led.

His Lordship Mgr. Mario Grech Bishop of Gozo, then celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass. In His homily Bishop Grech said that Saint John Paul II left us three Marion pathways to experience Christ and thus become witnesses of Christ.

“The first path is that of the meditation of the Holy Rosary with Mary, we meditate deeply the mysteries of our salvation. The second path is that of the Holy Eucharistic Adoration, Mary is the Woman of the Eucharist, Who encourages us to pursue the Holy Sacraments.”

“The third and last path, Saint John Paul II showed us when He was here with us and urged us to comes to this Sanctuary and advised the Maltese and Gozitan families to gather at the foot the Our Lady of Ta ‘ Pinu to learn how to praise and be thankful to God,” the Bishops said.

The animation of the singing during the Mass was by Soprano Ruth Bezzina accompanied by Mro Dr John Galea.

Afterwards an Organ and Trumpet Concert took place by two young Gozitan musicians, organist Amy Rapa and trumpeter Jason Camilleri.

They performed music pieces by Henry Purcell, J.S. Bach, Bach – Gouno, Franck, E. Marricone, P. Mascagni, John J. Morrissey, Mozart, T. Albinon and John Stanley.

The evening concluded with a thank you speech by the present rector Fr Gerald Buhagar.