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Shot taken on 11th July, 2017 – fifth day of our Sorrento holiday.
This is one of many shots I took in this amazing building which is a whole work of art.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is just 10/15minutes away on foot from the exit of the excavated town of Pompeii. For Christine (and for me, too) it was a must that we should visit this sacred place. The reason is that when Jean-Pierre (my son was born) we ‘presented’ him to the titular image of Our Lady of Pompeii which is in the parish of Marsaxlokk (Malta). The picture above the altar in this shot is identical to that of Marsaxlokk.
It is a custom with us Maltese, at least for people of my age, that when a baby is born, besides having him/her baptised, we take him/her to ‘present’ him/her to the saint of our choice. Presenting the child is like asking the particular saint to look over and protect him/her throughout his/her life. The ritual is very simple and takes only a few minutes with a priest saying a short prayer over the child in front of the effigy/painting of the saint and blessing him/her with holy water.
While talking to a man who had a stall full of souvenirs close to the shrine of Pompeii he said that the shrine in Malta was the most popular shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii after the one of Pompeii. Christine bought a rosary from him – she has a collection of them at home bought from different places we visit on our holidays.
Many thanks for all your views, comments and favs. Always much appreciated.
Awe-inspiring sanctuary- especially in the artwork. And it's nice that it was not only a beautiful place to visit but that it was such a meaningful place for you too.
