A programme of Special Festivities has been announced commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Titular Painting of the Assumption of Our Lady and the 127th Anniversary of the Calling of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Carmela Grima and Frangisk Portelli. The celebration will take place at the National Sanctuary and Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady – Ta’ Pinu (limits of Gharb Gozo).

Wednesday 16th June 2010: The Seventh Wednesday of devotion in honour of Our Lady.

5.00am, 6.00am, 7.00am, 8.30am and 9.00am: Holy Masses.

Between 11.30am and 5.30pm: Eucharistic Adoration in silence in the chapel of Our Lady.

5.30pm: Solemn Mass with homily led by Mgr Lawrence Sciberras and animated by the Nativitas Choir under the direction of Mrs Silvana Agius and accompanied on the organ by Ivan Attard.

6.30pm and 8.00pm: Holy Masses.

8.45pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech. During the singing of the Marian Litany, an aux flambaux pilgrimage with a replica of the Sanctuary’s titular painting will be held. The celebration ends with the impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction.

Thursday 17th June 2010:

8.00pm: Official launching of the new book ‘A Temple to Our Lady: Ta’ Pinu Basilica’ written by Fr. Charles Cini with professional photography by Daniel Cilia. Present for this ceremony will be H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

Friday 18th June 2010:

6.30pm: Celebration of Mass with prayers for the Sanctuary’s benefactors.

7.30pm: A Sacred Concert with Marian Literature featuring THE THREE ATTARDS – Mro. Stephen Attard FTCL (organist), soprano Marouska Attard and saxophonist Philip Attard.

Saturday 19th June 2010: Eve of the Coronation Anniversary.

6.30pm: Celebration of Mass by the two newly-ordained priests, Rev. Noel Debono and Rev. Maximillian Grech. Between 7.30pm and 10.30pm: Solemn Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel of Our Lady.

Sunday 20th June 2010: Solemn Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Titular Painting’s Coronation by Cardinal Lepicier.

6.15am and 8.30am: Masses with homily.

10.00am: Solemn Pontifical High Mass of Thanksgiving led by H.L. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas J. Cauchi assisted by a number of Gozitan priests, commemorating this special anniversary for the Gozo Diocese. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate animates this solemn liturgy.

11.15am and 5.00pm: Masses with homily.

6.00pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.

Monday 21st June 2010: Eve of the Solemn Commemoration of the 127th Anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Calling to Carmela Grima.

7.00am and 7.30am: Masses at the Sanctuary.

6.00pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

6.30pm: Translation of the Relic and Solemn High Mass presided by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech. The first part of the liturgy includes the Solemn First Vespers of this Marian Solemnity. The Stella Maris Choir animates mass under the direction of Mro Carmel P. Grech.

Tuesday 22nd June 2010: Solemnity of the 127th Anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Calling to Carmela Grima.

5.00am and 6.00am: Masses with homily at the Sanctuary.

7.00am: Mass of Thanksgiving by three Gozitan priests who are commemorating the 25th Anniversary of their Priestly Ordination.

9.00am: Solemn Pontifical High Mass presided by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech, Diocesan Bishop, together with several priests from Gozo. The Stella Maris Choir animates mass under the direction of Mro Carmel P. Grech.

10.10am: The exact time when Carmela Grima heard the voice of Our Lady from the titular painting venerated at the Sanctuary. The liturgical hymn Te Deum will be sung thus giving thanks to the Lord for the graces He poured on our island since the heavenly event of June 22, 1883. The bells of all churches and chapels in Gozo ring with joy on this special feast day. The celebration ends with the impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction.

11.15am: Mass with homily.

Between noon and 6.00pm: Eucharistic Adoration in silence at the chapel of Our Lady.

6.00pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

6.30pm: Celebration of Mass including the Second Vespers of the Marian Solemnity with the participation of the Gharb Collegiate Chapter.

8.00pm: Solemn Pontifical High Mass presided by H.L. Mgr Joseph Mercieca, Arch-Bishop Emeritus of the Malta Arch-Diocese, together with several priests from Malta and Gozo bringing to an end this feast. The Nativitas Choir animates mass. The choir will be under the direction of Mrs. Silvana Agius and accompanied on the Basilica’s organ by Ivan Attard.

10.00pm: Evening Prayers and Impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction in the Sanctuary, thus closing these special festivities.

All Gozitans and Maltese are being warmly invited to attend for these extraordinary celebrations marking these two important events in the history of the National Sanctuary of our Island.

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