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The Chapel of our Lady of Mercy on the outskirts of Xewkija on the main road to Mgarr must have been very different from that of today, since it is now surrounded by new buildings and has to endure a continuous flow of traffic a few metres away from its main door.

Many years ago, a hermit monk lided in this chapel. He was a holy man with many gifts including the ability to fortell the future, He was kept busy all day long, with people continually knocking on the door of his hermitge.

One winter night the monk was awakened by loud knocking on his door of his sacristy. When he opened the door he saw a stranger asking him to help him. He asked him if he can go to his home and convince his dying father to make confession. The hermit was suddenly beset with sadness and seemed unable to speak. He than told him that the real reason why he came was not about his father but to steal the golden chalice. As the hermit spoke the stranger began to shake uncontrollably. He was terrified to hear the monk reveal his evil intention, but he was more shocked to hear what the monk still had to say. The monk than told the stranger that his father truly died as he was struck by a thunderbolt. As a penitence for the sacrilege he was about to commit the stranger decided to give up his wicked way of life and join the hermit in a life of holiness, hard work and self-sacrifice.

The legend says that the man made a just penitence of the rest of his life and like the hermit died in a state of holiness.

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