Over 1000 candles will illuminate the Via Crucis at Ta’ Ghammar Hill

by Gozo News · March 20, 2015

The Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, today presented a contribution of financial support for the Diocesan Via Crucis, to the rector of the National Shrine of Ta ‘Pinu Fr Gerald Buhagiar, who was accompanied by Fr. Eddie Zammit.

The Diocesan Via Crucis is being held on the Way of the Cross on Ghammar Hill, next to Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo, this Sunday, the 22nd of March, starting at 6.30pm and is taking place as part of the Easter initiative Gozo – Faith and Tradition

During the presentation, The Minister for Gozo said that, “this Sanctuary attracts more people throughout the year than any other tourist attraction in Gozo.” He added that, “it attracts many pilgrims from overseas, and it is therefore very important that the infrastructure of the surrounding areas has been improved and refurbished, to make it more attractive to those who visit.”

Fr Gerald Buhagiar said that this is the ninth year of the Viz Crucis, which will be led by H.L. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, and is organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo.

“The meditations for this year were written by various religious orders and institutes of consecrated life from within the Diocese of Gozo, and it is becoming a year that is dedicated to people who have consecrated their lives to God for serving the Church and humanity, ” he said.

Fr Buhagiar also said that for this this occasion the the stations along the Way of the Cross will be illuminated with special lighting, along with more than 1000 candles guiding the way, so as to create a unique atmosphere.

At the end of the Via Crucis, which will be broadcast live on Radju Marija for those who are unable to attend, the Bishop will give a short message, followed by the Eucharistic Benediction.

The television stations, TVM, Net and One TV, will all record this unique event to be able to broadcast it, during Holy Week. This has been made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry for Gozo and the work of the Foundation and religious broadcasting partners together with the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary.

This weekend Gozo Channel will be offering reduced ferry fares between Friday and Sunday, to encourage visitors to cross to the sister island.

More information on Gozo – Faith and Tradition can be found on the Easter in Gozo facebook page which is being constantly being updated.

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.

Now days during the Holy Week, a meditation of the Way of the Cross is organised on the Ghammar Hill and is led by H.E. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, together with the participation of faithful from the diocese of Gozo and also from that of Malta.