he Maltese Archipelago is renowned for its picturesque coastline, exceptional diving spots, and vibrant festas. It also holds a deep and ancient devotion to the Virgin Mary, manifested in several Marian shrines popularly and officially recognized as being miraculous. The rich history and significance of these shrines, and the numerous Marian miraculous events and icons found in this small island nation ceaselessly draw pilgrims and devotees from around the world. The role of Mary in Christianity Myriam of Nazareth holds a central place in Christian theology as the Theotokos – literally, the God-bearer. Since the very early days of Christianity, Mary has been venerated for her virtue, obedience, and intercessory power. Indeed, the first Marian apparition (a bilocation, in fact) is traditionally believed to have occurred to the Apostle James in Spain around the year 40, while Mary was still alive. Tradition claims that when the apostle St. James the Greater was facing immense challenges while preaching in the Iberian Peninsula, he went to look for some solace in prayer by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels. This extraordinary event marked the first recorded apparition of the Blessed Mother – an event commemorated as Our Lady of the Pillar. Tradition claims that St. James the Greater prayed by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels.-archizaragoza Since then, different traditions understand Mary’s intercessory role as a fundamental principle of Christian life. Numerous apparitions and miraculous events reported worldwide, including those of Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe (just to name three of the most famous ones) have reinforced, spread, and confirmed this belief. Malta, with its deep Marian devotion, has its own share of miraculous sites that underscore the island’s rich Christian heritage. Malta’s Marian devotion Malta’s Christian community dates back to the apostolic age, with the providential arrival of St. Paul in AD 60. This early establishment has resulted in an enduring and fervent Marian devotion among the Maltese people. Malta boasts a remarkable number of churches and chapels, many of which are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Among these, several stand out for the miraculous graces attributed to them. One of these significant Marian sites is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa. Local tradition holds that St. Luke the Evangelist himself, Paul’s companion during his trips, painted an image of the Virgin Mary during their stay on the island. However, further research has shown that the image dates back to the 13th century, possibly the 12th century. The original church of the Malta National Marian Shrine of the Hodegetria is a cave church. This site has been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received.Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © The icon, reflecting Byzantine traditions, depicts Mary in all her majesty, holding the Child Jesus and symbolizing her role as the Theotokos. Restoration work has revealed fascinating details about the icon, including inscriptions and symbols emphasizing Mary’s eternal virginity and royal status. This site has thus been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received. The sanctuary’s walls are covered with ex-votos, which range from handwritten notes to baby clothes (and even a motorcycle helmet!), all testifying to the Virgin’s intercessory power. The underground grotto at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa is associated with multiple miraculous occurrences. The chapel in the grotto was hewn out of the hard limestone, thanks to a Sicilian devotee of Our Lady who was a regular visitor to the Sanctuary. He is also responsible for commissioning a white statue of Our Lady holding the Holy Infant on her left arm, at the far end of the chapel. Over the years, thousands of pilgrims have visited the underground chapel, and prayed before the Madonna, attributing to her many miraculous interventions and healings, both spiritual and temporal. The Archbishop of Malta H.E. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna celebrating Holy Mass at the Mellieha National Shrine of the Hodegetria | Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © Events recorded in 1887, 1888, and 1948 are particularly famous. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross. In the Sanctuary Archives there are 13 separate documents that record these happenings. All give a very detailed description of each event, and are signed under oath by all those present. The last time such a happening took place was reported after World War II, in 1948. A group of 10 people declared under oath that they witnessed the White Lady of the Chapel moving her right hand. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross.Marinella Bandini | ALETEIA The icon of Our Lady of Mellieħa, and the white statue of Our Lady in the underground grotto are not alone. The Maltese archipelago is home to several miraculous images of the Virgin Mary. These images, revered by thousands of believers, are central to the island’s religious and cultural life. Take, for example, the miraculous image kept at the Ta’ Pinu Basilica on the island of Gozo. The beginnings of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu are rather ancient. It is known that the original local church was a small chapel, known as Ta’ Ġentile, dedicated to the Assumption. The name Ta’ Ġentile was eventually dropped and the church became known as Ta’ Pinu (“Of Pinu,” Philip), named after Pinu Gauci, who had become the procurator of the church in 1598. Eventually, the modest unknown chapel in the countryside became a revered Marian shrine, visited by droves of Gozitans, Maltese and people beyond the sea. But why? In 1883, Karmni Grima, from Għarb,…
