Bishop Healy's Dream
“On Tuesday last, October 17th quietly and
without any ceremony, a historic event occurred.
Near Europa Point, there is a small white building, on which is affixed a notice-board. The lettering is fading, but it is possible to read ‘Fragment of Moorish building or mosque, afterwards part of the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Europa. Converted in 1704 into a guardroom. Remainder probably destroyed in 1779 during the siege.’
I am told it was in 1462 – five hundred years ago next year – that the first start was made on the first Shrine of Our Lady at Europa. Well four hundred years ago there was great devotion to the Shrine and many gifts had been made by pilgrims who came from distant lands to thank Our Lady for favours received. A noteworthy feature of the history of the Shrine is the manner in which Gibraltarians, after travelling far in search of fortune, came back to their native land to show by some act of devotion at the Shrine, gratitude for success.
We can well imagine how, in joy or sorrow, the people of Gibraltar were accustomed to turn to the Mother of Christ at their own Europa Shrine.
In 1704 the Chapel was taken for military purposes. The statue was unceremoniously cast down from its altar and out of Gibraltar. One hundred and sixty years later (1864) the statue was returned to the colony and in 1866 it was taken in triumph through streets lined with soldiers to a chapel in the ground of the little Sisters of the Poor.
Many of you will recall the solemnity with which, in 1954, the statue was taken to its present altar in St. Joseph’s Church.
On Tuesday last I was handed the keys of all that now remains of what used to be Our Lady’s Shrine at Europa. That little white building is bare, it is empty; plaster is falling off the walls, but once more it belongs to Mary.
I was glad that nobody was there at Europa to see me receive those keys. The absence of ceremony seemed to be symbolic of so much. I wonder if you can understand how I felt.
What of the future? Shall we see that fragment redecorated? Shall we see a new altar erected? Shall we see the statue return to Europa? Shall we witness the return of Mary’s pilgrims? Will Our Lady at Europa again be given her rightful place in the hearts of us, her people of Gibraltar.”
Near Europa Point, there is a small white building, on which is affixed a notice-board. The lettering is fading, but it is possible to read ‘Fragment of Moorish building or mosque, afterwards part of the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Europa. Converted in 1704 into a guardroom. Remainder probably destroyed in 1779 during the siege.’
I am told it was in 1462 – five hundred years ago next year – that the first start was made on the first Shrine of Our Lady at Europa. Well four hundred years ago there was great devotion to the Shrine and many gifts had been made by pilgrims who came from distant lands to thank Our Lady for favours received. A noteworthy feature of the history of the Shrine is the manner in which Gibraltarians, after travelling far in search of fortune, came back to their native land to show by some act of devotion at the Shrine, gratitude for success.
We can well imagine how, in joy or sorrow, the people of Gibraltar were accustomed to turn to the Mother of Christ at their own Europa Shrine.
In 1704 the Chapel was taken for military purposes. The statue was unceremoniously cast down from its altar and out of Gibraltar. One hundred and sixty years later (1864) the statue was returned to the colony and in 1866 it was taken in triumph through streets lined with soldiers to a chapel in the ground of the little Sisters of the Poor.
Many of you will recall the solemnity with which, in 1954, the statue was taken to its present altar in St. Joseph’s Church.
On Tuesday last I was handed the keys of all that now remains of what used to be Our Lady’s Shrine at Europa. That little white building is bare, it is empty; plaster is falling off the walls, but once more it belongs to Mary.
I was glad that nobody was there at Europa to see me receive those keys. The absence of ceremony seemed to be symbolic of so much. I wonder if you can understand how I felt.
What of the future? Shall we see that fragment redecorated? Shall we see a new altar erected? Shall we see the statue return to Europa? Shall we witness the return of Mary’s pilgrims? Will Our Lady at Europa again be given her rightful place in the hearts of us, her people of Gibraltar.”
