The Programme of Celebrations have been announced in honour of Saint Joseph, Co-Patron Saint of Xaghra Gozo, held at the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady between Wednesday, the 28th of April and Sunday, the 2nd of May 2010.

Wednesday 28th April 2010: Opening of Festivities. First Day of Solemn Triduum. Commemoration of the 322nd Anniversary since the foundation of Xaghra Parish.

9.00am: Mass for the Xaghra elderly at the Basilica led by Canon Joseph Sultana. The mass is followed by a social activity at the Xaghra Youth Centre. This activity is being held in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council.

6.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

7.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo in which Canon Michael Galea delivers the first homily in honour of Saint Joseph. The Nativitas Choir animates this celebration. Xaghra Mayor Mr. Joseph Cordina and local councilors are invited for this occasion to commemorate the LOCALITY DAY. The first day of solemn triduum closes with the recitation of the traditional Kurunella, Antiphon ‘Exsurgens Josef’ and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction.

Thursday 29th April 2010: Second Day of Solemn Triduum. Saint Joseph, protector of those in agony.

6.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

7.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Honorary Canon Frankie Bajada, Archpriest of Our Lady of Loreto Parish (Ghajnsielem Gozo). Homily by Rev. Can. Michael Galea. The second day of solemn triduum closes with the recitation of the traditional Kurunella, Antiphon ‘Exsurgens Josef’ and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction.

Friday 30th April: Third Day of Solemn Triduum. Saint Joseph protector of families.

6.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

7.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Fr. Ignatius Borg, Parish Priest of Saint Lawrence’s Parish in Gozo. Canon Michael Galea delivers his last homily in honour of Saint Joseph, the co-patron saint of Xaghra Parish. The Santa Klara Choir animates the liturgy. The third and last day of solemn triduum closes with the recitation of the traditional Kurunella, Antiphon ‘Exsurgens Josef’ and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction.

Saturday 1st May: Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Saint Joseph, protector of workers. Eve of Saint Joseph’s solemnity.

5.00pm: Holy Mass.

6.30pm: Celebration of First Vespers of the Solemnity by the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Xaghra Collegiate Basilica led by Mgr Anthony Refalo. The Altar Boys’ Choir animates these vespers.

7.00pm: Solemn High Mass presided by H.E. Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of the Gozo Diocese, together with the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Parish. The Voci Angeliche Choir animates mass. During the offertory, the Bishop blesses the tools used during work and invokes the protection of Saint Joseph to help workers completing their tasks diligently and with responsibility. Afterwards, there will be the recitation of the traditional Kurunella, Antiphon ‘Exsurgens Josef’ and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction. The eve of the feast closes with the singing of the popular hymn ‘Lil San Guzepp, Kompatrun tax-Xaghra’ and the veneration of the saint’s reliquary.

Sunday 2nd May: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, co-patron saint of Xaghra.

5.00am, 6.00am, 7.00am and 9.45am: Masses with homily in the Basilica.

8.30am: Solemn Conventual Mass animated by the Altar Boys’ Choir.

1.00pm: Mass with a special message for adolescents and youths animated by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate choir.

4.30pm: Celebration of Second Vespers of the Solemnity by the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Xaghra Collegiate Basilica led by Mgr Anthony Refalo. The Altar Boys’ Choir animates these vespers.

5.00pm: Solemn Pontifical Mass presided by H.E. Mgr Mario Grech, Diocesan Bishop, together with the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Parish. The Maria Bambina Choir and the orchestra animating mass will be under the baton of Mr. Ronald Camilleri. After the reading of the Gospel, the Bishop delivers a panegyric in honour of Saint Joseph.

6.00pm: Festive band marches by the Victory Philharmonic Society of Xaghra from Maria Bambina Street along 8th September Avenue and ending in Victory Square.

6.30pm: Solemn Procession with the artistic and devout statue of Saint Joseph (1879), venerated in the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady. The Victory Philharmonic Society and the Nativitas Choir salute the statue of the saint with the popular hymn ‘Lil San Guzepp, Kompatrun tax-Xaghra’ composed by the late music director Mro. Mikiel Farrugia. The procession will be led by Mgr Anthony Refalo and will be accompanied by the Xaghra Victory Band playing religious band marches. The procession passes along 28th April 1688 Street, Saint Joseph Street, Church Street and Victory Square. As soon as the procession enters again in the Basilica, there will be the recitation of the traditional Kurunella, Antiphon ‘Exsurgens Josef’ and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction. The feast day closes with the singing of the popular hymn ‘Lil San Guzepp, Kompatrun tax-Xaghra’ and the veneration of the saint’s reliquary.

Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo together with the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Parish invite all Gozitans to participate in this feast in honour of Saint Joseph which is being celebrated with solemnity in Xaghra Parish.

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