Today, a pilgrimage tour

Restorations in Our Lady of Victories

Today, I am making a pilgrimage tour of some of my favourite churches in Valletta.  One is the first building ever built in Valletta, in 1567, The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was one of my stops.

This little jewel is usually called the Church of Our Lady of Victories by locals, as it was dedicated in gratitude for the victory of the Knights of St. John Hospitallers over the Muslims in 1656.

Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette, (1557-1568) laid the foundation stone on March 28th,  1566. He was originally buried here, but his bones were moved to the fantastic St. John's Co-Cathedral in 1579.

This barrel vaulted church is being restored with the help of a Malta bank.  The best thing for me is the Icon of Our Lady of Victories, which is covered in silver, like Our Lady of Caraffa. Also, there is a precious statue of the Infant of Prague,  given by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Today it is dressed in dark purple.

I climbed up to the top on 18th century stone stairs, all twisting and turning to look at the ceiling paintings restoration. When done, this will prove to be an amazing site.  And, as there are no coincidences, people from the Courtauld Institute in London are in charge of the restorations.

The Jesus Bambino is still on the altar today, as He is on all the altars from Christmas Day in Malta. I was glad to see Him amidst the poinsettias, which as some of you know, are my flowers particularly.