Our Lady has a great church

Well, we've had a great week here in Malta. After seven fantastic days it's time to head... Oh, wait a minute - we're here for another week! This holiday is only possible to the generosity of our families and friends who donated to our holiday fund as a wedding gift. Self catering is much cheaper than half board too.
OK, today's blip shows Ta' Pinu Sanctuary on the island of Gozo. Originally there was a small chapel built in the 16th century dedicated to Our Lady of The Assumption. It fell into disuse after about a century and was de-consecrated. But when a workman tried to demolish the structure to reclaim the stone he broke both his arms, which was taken as a sign to revive the site. So the chapel came back to life. On the 22nd of June 1883 a peasant woman called Carmela Grima reported that she'd heard a voice telling her to come into the chapel as she was passing. Her experiences were validated by The Vatican and from then on the site became a place of pilgrimage and reputed miracles. What we see today is a church begun in 1920 that assumed the original chapel as a shrine and was completed in 1931. Only a year later the then Pope raised its status to a Basilica. Romanesque in style with fine stonework it rises out of the surrounding countryside. Inside is decorated with mosaics and friezes. There are hundreds of votive offerings from those who belive they've received miraculous answers to prayers to Our Lady - including medical aids no longer needed after healing. Make of that what you will.