People's Sunday in Malta
People's Sunday in Malta is held on February 15. Celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. This event in the second decade of the month February is annual. 
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The People's Sunday celebrations are held on the first Sunday of Lent at Żabbar, Malta, popularly known as Ħadd in-Nies, are living recollections of the centuries-old devotion toOur Lady of Graces (Il-Madonna tal-Grazzja).
The tradition dates back to centuries before the Order of St John came to Malta in AD1530. The Hadd in-Nies pilgrimage has its roots in the times of the knights when devotees from all over Malta used to pray and make vows to Our Lady on the first Sunday in Lent.
People from all walks of life visited the Sanctuary to fulfil their vows, pray and ask for God’s blessings. From Ash Wednesday, these visits slowly shifted to the first Sunday of Lent.
With the introduction of Carnival during the early days of the Order in Malta, visitors to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces increased on Ash Wednesday as an act of penance for any follies committed during the Carnival festivities.
In the 17th century, this event turned into a festivity similar to L-Imnarja and San Girgor, but in recent years, the annual pilgrimage has reverted to the original pilgrimage as a sign of penance and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
Maltese Carnival on February 11
St. Joseph's Day on March 19 (Italy, Malta, Liechtenstein);
Freedom Day in Malta on March 31 (This important milestone was achieved during 1979 when the complete withdrawal of the British troops and Royal Navy marines left the island);
Freedom Day in Malta on April 1 (the anniversary of the closure of the English base, celebrated since 1979);
May Crownings or the Virgin Mary Month on May 1 (Catholic Church tradition);
Mother’s Day on May 10 (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Gabon, Gambia, Greenland, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe);
Emergency Medicine Day on May 27
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