Għarb Local Council recently honoured ‘Servant of the Lord’ Franġisk Portelli with a commemorative plaque and flowers which were placed in front of his house.
The council had also placed a formal request to the Planning Authority to give protection to Portelli’s house. In fact, the property has now scheduled as a Grade 2 building for its cultural, social and architecural value.
Portelli, of Għarb, confirmed under oath that (around 1883) he had received special messages from the Virgin Lady of Ta’ Pinu.
On six occasions he had heard a voice coming from the holy picture of the Virgin Lady asking him to encourage a special devotion to the hidden wound of Her beloved Son – the wound caused by the weight of the cross on his shoulders.