Between the 9th and the 17th of January 2010, Xaghra celebrates the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot which was the first patron saint of the parish. Saint Anthony is also the protector saint of animals.
The programme of activities will be as follows:
Saturday 9th January:
Opening of Festivities. 6.30pm: Holy Mass. 8.00pm: Mgr Rosario Borg, Director of the Gozitan Eucharistic Movement, says mass followed by Eucharistic adoration till midnight. At midnight: Another mass is celebrated.
Sunday 10th January:
Liturgical Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. End of Christmas season. 6.30am and 9.00am: Holy Masses. 10.30am: The Xaghra community is invited to participate in a Solemn High Mass presided by H.E. Mgr Mario Grech (Bishop of Gozo) at the National Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart (Fontana) in which Reverend Joseph Bajada, hailing from Xaghra, officially inaugurates his pastoral ministry as parish priest of Fontana.
Monday 11th January:
Family Day. 6.00pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Rev. Anthony Theuma. The couples present for this celebration renew the vows which they made on their wedding day.
Tuesday 12th January:
Vocations Day. 6.00pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Rev. Daniel Xerri, Rector of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Deacon Fr. Noel Debono makes the homily. Investiture of a new altar boy Simon Mercieca. A group of guitarists animate the liturgy.
Wednesday 13th January:
First Day of Triduum. 9.00am: Solemn Mass led by Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus and Dean of the Collegiate Chapter. The sick and the elderly attending for this celebration will be anointed with Holy Oils. A social activity follows. This is an activity organised by the Xaghra Local Council. 6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Felix Tabone, Parish Vicar of Saint George’s Parish in Victoria Gozo. Mgr Lawrence Schiberras SSL STL MA delivers the first homily in honour of the saint.
Thursday 14th January:
Second Day of Triduum. 6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr. Carmelo Borg, Rector of the Chapel of the Annunciation of the Lord (Kercem Gozo). Mgr Lawrence Schiberras SSL STL MA delivers the second homily in honour of the saint. Mass will be animated by the Nativitas Choir under the musical direction of Mrs. Silvana Agius and accompanied on the organ by Mr. Ivan Attard.
Friday 15th January:
Third Day of Triduum. 7.30am: Mass followed by the Exposition of the Holy Eucharist for the veneration of the public. The church remains open throughout the day and Eucharistic Adoration takes place. 1.00pm: Pilgrimage from the Fontana Parish. A Mass will be said by parish priest Fr. Joseph Bajada. 4.00pm: Pilgrimage from the Church of the Good Shepherd (Victoria). A Mass will be said by Rector Fr. Eddie Zammit. 5.30pm: Eucharistic Adoration including the recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, Vicar General of the Gozitan Diocese. Mgr Lawrence Schiberras SSL STL MA delivers the third homily in honour of the saint.
Saturday 16th January:
Eve of the Solemnity of Saint Anthony the Abbot. 10.00am: Mass for Xaghra children led by Rev. Charles Sultana. A manifestation with the small statue of Saint Anthony follows. In the square, some refreshments will be given to those attending. 5.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 5.30pm: Singing of the First Vespers of the Solemnity. 6.00pm: Solemn High Mass presided by Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of Gozo. The liturgy will be animated by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate Choir under the musical direction of Ms. Marouska Attard. (Between 5.30pm and 7.00pm, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be administered). 8.00pm: A festive high tea at the Crystal Palace Hall, Marsalforn.
Sunday 17th January:
Liturgical Solemnity of Saint Anthony the Abbot. In the church of Saint Anthony, the schedule of masses will be as follows: 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, 11am, noon and 7pm. 9.00am: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra. 9.15am: Festive marches by the Victory Philharmonic Band from the belvedere area in Saint Anthony Street. 9.45am: The statue of Saint Anthony leaves its church. Procession with the statue along Saint Anthony Street. 10.00am: In Saint Anthony’s Square, Mgr Carmelo Refalo leads the traditional ceremony of the blessing of horses. A horse parade accompanies the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot along Saint Joseph Street, Church Street and Victory Square with the participation of the Victory Band of Xaghra. The statue enters the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady. 11.00am: Dog show in Saint Anthony’s Square organised by the Xaghra Local Council. 1.00pm: Fun games for children organised by the Xaghra Local Council in Saint Anthony Street. 3.30pm: In the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Bishop Mgr Mario Grech presides a Solemn High Mass with the participation of the Most Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the parish. The liturgy is animated by the Voci Angeliche Choir under the direction of Mrs. Grace Vella and accompanied on the church organ by Mr. Ronald Camilleri. 4.15pm: Festive band marches by the Victory Band of Xaghra from the band club’s premises along 8th September Avenue and Victory Square. 4.30pm: Pontifical Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot led by Mgr Mario Grech, Diocesan Bishop. The Victory Band of Xaghra accompanies this procession. 5.00pm: In Saint Anthony’s Square, the Diocesan Bishop leads the traditional ceremony of the blessing of pets. The procession ends in the church of Saint Anthony the Abbot where the thanksgiving hymn Te Deum is sung and Eucharistic Benediction is imparted, bringing these festivities to an end. 7.00pm: Last Mass at the church of Saint Anthony the Abbot.
All celebrations are transmitted live on Radio Bambina (98.3 FM).
For more information, one can contact Rector Fr. John Sultana 99826350 or the Xaghra Local Council (office hours) on 21 563737. The Rector and the Sant’Anton community invites everyone to celebrate this popular feast and invoke Saint Anthony’s intercession in our life.