La Cavalcata Dei Re Magi – the triumphal entry of the Three Kings to Xaghra Square in Gozo takes place on Sunday.

This special event is celebrated on the solemnity of the Feast of the Epiphany, which year falls on Sunday, the 5th of January, with a Biblical reenactment organised by the Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra and the Xaghra Historical Reenactment Organisation.

A Mass will be celebrated at 9.45am with the participation of children, following which a couple depicting Mary and Joseph carrying the baby Jesus will make their way through Victory Square, to their place in front of the Basilica followed by a shepherd and a lamb.

The shepherd will then pay homage to baby Jesus and then take his place next to them on the Parvis.

The three Wise Men on horseback (The Magi) will arrive from three different streets – 8th September Avenue, Triq 28 t’April 1688 and Triq il-Knisja – to converge on Victory Square to see the Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph in their place on the church parvis.

Then dressed in their rich attire, accompanied by their pages carrying the three biblical presents, gold, incense and myrrh, one by one, they will present their gifts and pay homage to the Baby Jesus.

This very special reenactment was held for the first time on the island in 2010 and always attracts large crowds of both locals and tourists to the Xaghra village centre to witness the spectacular scene which takes place in the main square and on the church Parvis.

The Magi will then move to the Basilica where they will attend the Celebration of the Eucharist, and make the offerings at Mass, which will be heard at 11.00am.

La Cavalcata Dei Re Magi takes place on Sunday, the 5th of January and is held with the full collaboration of the Xaghra Parish.

File photograph: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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