Dormition of the Blessed Virgin

Abstract

This is a one page feature by Bernard Vassallo which mainly discusses the Christian feast of Assumption of our Lady, locally known as ‘Santa Maria’, celebrated on the 15th of August. The bulk of the article is an in depth look into its meaning, associated traditions as well as how it is represented and celebrated in other parts of the world. In the first few paragraphs however, Vassallo focuses his attention on the Western Gozitan countryside and a local chapel pre-dating the 16th century. Known to have belonged to the local noble family of ‘The Gentile’ (or Gentili), the chapel would go onto be the only one of its kind to survive apostolic visitor Pietro Duzina’s decree to be demolished in 1575. He walks us through the various evolutions the chapel would go through over the next few centuries, from name changes, restorations, featured iconography, to local legends. Known today as, 'The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Gozo', the chapel was visited by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.