Ta Pinu and The Feast, Viva Madonna Tal-Grazzja

Catholism as I mentioned in yesterdays blog is something that is devout, particularly to Our Lady of Grace, to whom the city of Zabbar Sanctuary is dedicated. The paintings and other artefacts in the village church museum are beautiful. I strongly believe that this belie,f is this is the reason for thebeautiful nature of the Maltese people, Church is an a very important part of the Maltese life and its these believes that make the Maltese such nice, kind and caring peple.

Every year I visit Malta, Ta Pinu church in Gozo is somewhere that I always visit, the church notorious for being a miracle church. I really enjoy visiting this church, it gives you hope when perhaps there is none. When I last visited I was awaiting A level results at home and I didnt think I was going to do very well as Id been lazy and to be completely honest was'nt expected by my teachers to do very well either, I however ticked some boxes on a sheet that was available within the church, this was asking what you would like to pray for, the results box was one of a few I ticked and I put in in the box. When I arrived back to England, I was very shocked to find I had passed my exams and had done very well considering my situation.

The feast is another of the most memorable events in Malta and as a child I enjoyed many in Zabbar, the singing the dancing the band and the shear enjoyment of the weekend celebrations is something thats hard to put into words. My family are supporters of Ghaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel, or the Greens as they are known, however I did attend a Rave of the Societa Filamonica Maria Mater Gratias or Blues, a few years ago, as one of my cousins is a supporter, however our great aunts and uncles are not aware of this or there would be big trouble. The fireworks the church bells, the colours, the motorcycle and bicycle race, a fantastic event which can be enjoyed by young and old. The family gathered on the streets as I was carried high the shoulders of my uncles and paraded around with my green flag, pretending to know the words of the songs that were being sang. The feast days are the most happy memories of Malta I have the whole family would celebrate together and as the years go by those family members who were there at the feast when I was child and are no longer and its these memories that account for the happier days of life.