Towards the end of the 16th century the Franciscan Capuchins came to Malta. Grandmaster de Verdalle, built their first friary in Floriana. About one hundred and fifty years later they built friaries in Kalkara and in Rabat, Gozo.
The church of their friary in Rabat Gozo is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Grace and the titular painting, although not signed, is attributed to Stefano Erardi. This painting was commissioned by the Canons of the Matrice Church of Gozo (now the Cathedral of Gozo) as thanksgiving to Our Lady when the 1693 earthquake wreaked havoc in Gozo but did not claim any lives. Closer examination of the titular painting shows how the Rabat landscape was four hundred years ago. In the painting, Our Lady’s meditative face is gazing at a solemn procession across the landscapte of Forn il-Gir (as the hill was then known), approaching the late medieval chapel that stood where the current church is now.
The feast is celebrated in September and during that weekend – same as in Malta – a Motorcycle run is held in aid of charity.
From here the walk continues behind the church and friary, ascending triq is-Seqer until veering left into triq it-Tigrija heading towards the Cathedral in Victoria, Gozo, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.