During Mass on Sunday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, Mgr. Mario Grech, the Apostolic Administrator for Gozo, blessed a new work of art on Sunday which is of particular significance: a replica image of the Framework of Our Lady Ta’ Pinu – worked in resin by the Institute for the Blind Francesco Cavazza, Bologna – enabling the visually impaired to be able to read it.

The whole world will be celebrating the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December, which aims to promote the understanding of disability issues, with a strong message for the inclusion and skills of disabled persons.

The Mass was with the participation of many people with disabilities and residents of Dar Arka in Ghajnsielem.

Also taking part in the Mass were world-famous Alfina Fresta, a young Sicilian lyrical singer with cerebral palsy and the renowned AllegroModerato Orchestra, a social cooperative started in Milan in 2011 which trains children, teens and adults with physical, mental or social difficulties in musical and artistic expression.The second readings of the Liturgy of the Word for the First Sunday of Advent was read in braille.

After the homily, Bishop Grech blessed the new framework, which was then carried in a procession by Fr Joseph Bajada, who is responsible for the Diocesan Commission of Persons with Disabilities, to be placed in front of the chapel for worship.

There it was read for the first time – the request to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in braille – written in three languages: Maltese, English and Italian.

Photographs by the Gozo Diocese

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