Karmni Grima
Karmni Grima | |
---|---|
Born | Għarb, Gozo, Malta | 2 February 1838
Died | 25 May 1932 Gozo, Malta | (aged 94)
Karmni Grima (2 February 1838 – 25 May 1922) was a Maltese peasant whose mystical religious experience led to the constructions and services as an apostle of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.
Biography
Karmni Grima was born in the village of Għarb in Gozo, the sister island of Malta. Her parents, Thomas and Antonia (née Apap), were poor labourers who worked in the fields located on the nearby hills of Ghammar. Every day, after hearing
On the 22 June 1883 while, as usual, she was passing in front of the small chapel, she heard a mysterious voice calling her: "Come, ... come today. For a whole year, you will not be able to return". This event is considered as "the most notable occurrence in the history of the Diocese"[1] of Gozo. Karmni Grima, although terrified, obeyed and entered into the
Karmni shared this experience with her
Within a short time the news spread throughout
In 1920 the foundation stone of a modern basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Ta' Pinu was laid.[3] Today the basilica of Ta' Pinu remains a very popular destination for Marian pilgrimages.
For the last 15 years of her life, although bed-ridden, Grima was very much at peace with herself and bore her sufferings with patience, fully confident in the will of God.
Karmni Grima died on 25 May 1922.[4]
The house where Karmni Grima lived still exists and it has now been turned into a museum.[5]
References
- ^ Joseph Bezzina, Religion and Politics in a Crown Colony ( The Gozo-Malta Story 1798-1864), Malta 1985, 333.
- ^ "History of Ta' Pinu Sanctuary". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ^ "Ta Pinu National Shrine". www.tapinu.org. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Cauchi Nicholas,Karmni Grima (Ix-xebba li semgħet il-leħen tal-Madonna Ta' Pinu (1964)in Maltese Biographies of The 20th century, editors:Michael J.Schiavone, Louis J.Scerri, Malta 1997.
- ^ The Times 01Dec2013 on-line:http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131201/gozo/Karmni-Grima-s-house-turned-into-a-museum.497020 Accessed 11Jun2014