Neither the gusty wind nor the driving sheets of rain and hail deterred the devout on Friday from gathering at Borg in-Nadur to witness the latest instalment of the religious phenomenon that is the visitations of Blessed Virgin as seen by Angelik Caruana.

And, judging by the 100-150-strong crowd assembled for an expected visitation, the occurrences appear to be gaining in popularity.

In one of his latest visions, Mr Caruana claimed that Blessed Virgin requested him to return to Borg in-Nadur by appointment on 23 March at 5.45pm. While harsh weather has been blamed for the lower turnout in the recent local council elections, such was not the case on Friday as droves of worshippers made the slippery, rocky climb from the private coaches, minivans and cars lining the road down to Birzebbuga up to Gholja ta’ Borg in-Nadur (Borg in-Nadur Heights).

Mr Caruana, the owner of the Virgin Mary statuette alleged to have wept tears of blood on two occasions last year, claims which are still being investigated by the Church, has reported seeing visions of Blessed Virgin at his home as well as at Borg in-Nadur.

During a similar congregation on 28 February, he told the assembled crowd that Blessed Virgin had appeared to him in a ball of bright light resembling fire, descended near the crowd, began to weep and thanked Mr Caruana for urging people to heed her call.

On Friday, however, the crowd was treated to no such spectacle. The Borg in-Nadur gatherings are becoming organised affairs with transport being hired, ushers directing traffic and positioning while keeping people away from the adjacent delicate bronze age ruins, and with prayers being led by means of a microphone and speakers.

In a surreal scene with dark storm clouds swirling overhead, the crowd knelt, sang and prayed while gazing hopefully up to Mr Caruana and his small entourage as they themselves knelt and prayed before a cross planted on a small knoll in the shadow of the ramparts of the Borg in-Nadur bronze age settlement.

Singing the Ave Maria, reciting the rosary and being led in prayer by a handful of Mr Caruana’s closest followers at the top of the knoll, dozens of the faithful knelt on the cold, hard rocks – some in icy puddles – with hands clasped in prayer while others held rosary beads or candles.

Himself kneeling before the cross in prayer, Mr Caruana was seen covering his face with mud from the ground surrounding the cross while visibly shaking, either from the cold or in a bout of religious ecstasy.

At one point he appeared to faint, after which he descended from the knoll and was hurriedly escorted, face caked in mud and speechless, through the crowds by his entourage.

But the crowds must have been somewhat disappointed as there were no balls of fire or any divine messages urging them to pray and fast, as had been the case a month earlier.

When asked whether Mr Caruana had seen any visions or if there had been any messages for the people assembled, all his companions would say was that “it will all be published”.