The Church of Our Lady of Mercy il-Qrendi

Abstract

Religion within the community of il-Qrendi has always been treated with the greatest respect and devotion, evidence of which are the UNESCO World Heritage Neolithic temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra dating as far back as 3500 BC. Megalithic stone structures, built in honour of the goddess of fertility where civilisation looked towards supernatural intercession in its daily life and in times of need. With their conversion to Christianity following the shipwreck of St Paul on Malta in the year 60 AD, the Maltese inhabitants learnt more about the Holy Scriptures and the need to keep their Almighty Creator within their lives. Beliefs that manifested themselves through the construction of places of worship in which one’s devotion was affirmed by the donation of religious artefacts and works of arts, presented with such pride and dedication. With the establishment of il-Qrendi as an independent parish in 1618, the local population set about constructing its parish church, which thus took over the functions of the several wayside chapels that served those in the immediate neighbourhoods. Our Lady of Mercy Sanctuary in the hamlet of Ħal Lew was one such place of worship, having served for several years as a vice parish church within the parish of iż-Żurrieq. The chapel later served as the vice-parish of il-Qrendi until the village’s parish church was constructed. The small church of Our Lady of Mercy with time attracted the devotion of many of the faithful, some of whom became benefactors who wished to express their religious commitment to Our Lady in this shrine. The devotion was so widespread that this church soon became recognised as a place of pilgrimage. Dun Ġorġ Preca, the Maltese saint and founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine, regularly visited Our Lady of Mercy shrine with his disciples for weekend spiritual retreats. Over the years this church has become a special place of spiritual devotion and much more, while its cultural heritage is also being researched and studied.