Dedication of Shrines to Our Lady and Saints

         Despite the strong Maltese heritage and links behind Ta Pinu, it was the wish of Monsignor Benedict Camilleri to encourage more nationalities to be involved with the Ta Pinu Marian Centre. For this reason, it was decided that a number of small shrines would be built, where each shrine would be dedicated to a nationality’s patron saint.

          Well before construction had commenced on any of the shrines, it became increasingly apparent that there was a need for a form of safe and easy access to these places of worship. On the 18^th May 2005, a 500 metre gravel road was developed. This road is long enough to house the many shrines which will one day line its course.

          It was the wish of the Monsignor to have a shrine raised, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. This shrine would be the first to be constructed and would be funded by the Monsignor and his Maltese devotees.

          Meanwhile, the Italian Catholic Community of Victoria were the first to approach the Monsignor. Their wish was to raise a shrine dedicated to Saint Pius of Pietralcina, more commonly known as Padre Pio, an Italian Franciscan monk who was famous for his stigmata.

          Shortly after being approached by the Italians, the Indian Catholic Community of Victoria also approached the Monsignor. Their wish was to raise a shrine dedicated to Our Lady Mother of Good Health Velankanni.

          Likewise, the Philippine, the Sri Lankan, and the Spanish speaking Catholic communities also let their wishes be known to each raise a shrine.

Maltese community

Shrine dedicated to the Immaculate Conception

           Construction commenced on this, the first shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception on the 14^th November 2005 and ceased on the 17^th December 2005. On the 18^th December 2005, the Most Reverend Archbishop Em of Melbourne Dr Frank T Little inaugurated and blessed the shrine. A procession was led from the shrine to the chapel of Our Lady of Ta Pinu, while the Holy Rosary was being recited in different languages. This was followed by the blessing of the new verandah constructed in front of the chapel, and a concelebrated Mass, led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Em of Melbourne Dr Frank T Little and Monsignor Benedict Camilleri The celebration concluded with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Italian community

Shrine dedicated to Saint Pius of Pietralcina

          Construction commenced on this, the second shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Saint Pius of Pietralcina on the 26^th November 2005 and ceased on the 15^th December 2005. In order to raise funds for its completion, a Mass was held prior, on the 18^th  September 2005 at the Ta Pinu Marian Centre, which was attended by 500 members of the Italian Catholic community of Victoria.  On the 18^th December 2005, the Most Reverend Archbishop Em of Melbourne Dr Frank T Little inaugurated and blessed the shrine, together with the shrine dedicated to the Immaculate Conception (refer to above).

Indian community

Shrine dedicated to Our Lady Mother of Good Health Velankanni

           Construction commenced on this, the third shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Our Lady Mother of Good Health Valenkanni, on the 5^th July 2006. This was the third shrine to be raised at Ta Pinu Marian Centre. Construction subsequently ceased on the 8^th September 2006. The Inauguration of the shrine was held on the 24^th  September 2006, commencing at 2:00pm with a concelebrated Mass by Fr Kennett L Satur, Fr Johnny Joseph, and Fr John Aravankara. The Sermon was conducted by Fr Satur at the main Chapel. Afterwards, a procession was carried out, leading from the Chapel to the shrine.  At 3:30pm, Fr Satur blessed the shrine and enthroned the statue of Our Lady. The Indian Catholic Community of Victoria Choir conducted the music during the inauguration. Although it was raining heavily on the day, well over 1,500 people attended, signifying the success of the event and the sense of achievement by the Indian Catholic Community in raising the shrine. On every second Sunday of the month, at 2.00pm, Mass and other devotions are held by the Indian Catholic Community at Ta Pinu Marian Centre.         

Philippine community

Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Santo Nino

           Construction commenced on this, the fourth shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Santo Nino, on the 20^th October 2006. Construction subsequently ceased on the 8^th December 2006. The inauguration of the shrine was held on the 9^th December 2006 and began at midday with a Mass, celebrated by Fr Rolyn Vics, Fr Chrismar Daguno, Fr Casey Ureta, Fr Boy Galdo, and Fr Laurence Cortez, and assisted by the OATH seminarians. Mass was followed by a procession and Rosary to the shrine, where the shrine was blessed by Fr Vics. Following, the blessing and enthronement of the statue of the Santo Nino was conducted by Fr Galdo, while the blessing and enthronement of the icon of Mother of Perpetual Help was conducted by Fr Cortez. Subsequently, the time capsule was laid by Fr Cortez, and the commemorative plaque was unveiled by Fr Vics and the Hon Counsel Raul Hernandez. A final blessing was then conducted by Fr Vics. On this extremely hot day, well over 700 people attended to witness the inauguration. The music on the day was conducted by the Philippine Choir.

(Click here for more information on the Philippine Shrine)        

Sri Lankan  community

 Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lanka

           Construction commenced on this, the fifth shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Our Lady of Lanka, with the laying of the foundation stone on Palm Sunday, the 9^th April 2006. This foundation stone was blessed by Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop of Chilaw, Sri Lanka, who travelled to Australia especially for the occasion, where approximately 500 devotees were in attendance. Ten months were to pass until building of the structure actually commenced, on the 22^nd December 2006. Just over a month later, on the 4^th February 2007, construction had eventually ceased, and the Inauguration and Blessing of the Shrine was to occur. At 9:30am, Emeritus Archbishop of Melbourne Rev Dr Frank T Little, accompanied by Monsignor Benedict Camilleri and a Sri Lankan priest, were welcomed in front of the Chapel by a traditional Sri Lankan drummer boy, dressed in national costume. Coincidentally, it was the national day of Sri Lanka, so as a mark of respect, the Sri Lankan flag was raised and the Sri Lankan national anthem was played. The day's proceedings commenced with a Concelebrated Mass, followed by a procession from the Chapel to the Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lanka. At the Shrine, the Archbishop inaugurated the structure and unveiled a plaque marking the occasion. The Archbishop then blessed and incensed the Shrine, and the Sri Lankan priest read a message from Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, Bishop of Chilaw, Sri Lanka, congratulating the Sri Lankan Community of Melbourne for their efforts. A member of the Sri Lankan Community then acknowledged all those who had contributed, in some way, towards the construction and completion of the Shrine. The day's proceedings concluded with the national anthem again being played, and a get together of all those in attendance, which was estimated to be at well over 700.

(Click here for the letter of gratitude sent by the Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Spanish speaking community

Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe

           Construction commenced on this, the sixth shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the excavation of the land on the 18^th August 2007, followed by the pouring of the concrete slab, on the 26^th August 2007. As the Shrine was being funded by the Spanish speaking community, its design was based upon traditional chapels constructed in native Spanish speaking countries. Such chapels are most commonly rendered in white, and typified by two steeples flanking either side of the front of the chapel, with a bell hanging from each steeple. The Inauguration and Blessing of the Shrine occurred on the  8^th December 2007, which also happened to be the Feastday of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Many nationalities were in attendance to help celebrate this Spanish fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the Spanish speaking community of Melbourne, with an estimated 700 people in attendance. The day's proceedings commenced at 7:30am, with the recital of the Holy Rosary and singing of Marian Hymns in Spanish. This was followed by breakfast outside Our Lady of Ta Pinu Chapel. At 10;30am the welcoming speech was read by a member of the Spanish speaking community, greeting his Lordship Bishop Hilton Deakin (Episcopal Vicar for Migrants), Monsignor Benedict Camilleri (Rector of Our Lady Ta Pinu Marian Centre), Fr Delmar De Silva (Spiritual Director of the Spanish speaking community), Fr Jose Gzadalupe Hermendes, Fr Juan Pagnin GS, Fr Marcello Arevena, Fr Emmanual Adami MSSP, Fr Denis Carabott MSSP, and four seminarians, as well as all those who were in attendance. The concelebrated Mass commenced at 11:00am, which was led by the Bishop and conducted in English. Throughout the Mass, the readings and Hymns were conducted in Spanish. At 12:00pm, the procession commenced from the Our Lady Ta Pinu Chapel, and continued to the new Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whilst the Holy Rosary was being recited. Upon arrival, the Bishop Inaugurated and Blessed the Shrine, while the Clergy installed the Holy Icons of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Bishop also unveiled two plaques commemorating the Shrine's opening, to the sound of ringing bells and the release of coloured balloons overhead. To cap off the day's Spanish fiesta, everyone was invited to lunch and to partake in a festival of singing and dancing, outside the Our Lady Ta Pinu Chapel.

 This page was last updated in January 2008   

  © 2008 Christopher DeBrincat