The Feast of the Immaculate Conception at St Francis Church, in Victoria, Gozo, is being celebrated this year from today, Saturday the 4th of December through to Wednesday, the 8th of December 2010.

The full schedule of events for this popular annual feast are listed below:

Saturday, 4th December 2010

First day of the Solemn Triduum.

6.30 p.m.: Solemn Mass was held, presided by Mgr. Joseph Sultana Azzopardi. Sermon by Rev. Renato Borg. Hymn, antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction.

Sunday, 5th December 2010

Second day of the Solemn Triduum

5.00 p.m.: Solemn Mass presided by Mgr. Joseph Zammit. Sermon by Rev. Renato Borg. Hymn, antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction.

Monday, 6th December 2010

Third day of the Solemn Triduum

6.30 p.m.: Solemn Mass presided by Mgr. Jimmy Xerri. Sermon by Rev. Renato Borg. Hymn, antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction.

Tuesday, 7th December 2010

Conclusion of the Solemn Triduum

7.30 a.m. Pontifical concelebration presided by Father Guardian George Attard OFM Conv. Conclusion with solemn singing of the Te Deum hymn.

Tuesday, 7th December 2010

Vigil of the Solemnity

5.15 p.m.: Solemn Translation and pontifical celebration of the first vespers of the solemnity, presided by Fr. Samuel Chetcuti OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Conventual Community in Malta.

6.30 p.m.: Pontifical concelebration presided by Fr. Samuel Chetcuti OFM Conv.

8.00 p.m.: The La Stella band and the Santa Margherita band (Ta’ Sannat) play marches, starting from St. Francis Square and Archbishop Pietro Pace Street respectively, and ending at St. Francis Square.

8.30 p.m.: Popular demonstration with the statue of the Immaculate Conception (Paul Aquilina, 2002) with the participation of the La Stella band and the Santa Margherita band (Ta’ Sannat).

Wednesday, 8th December 2010

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

9.30 a.m.: Pontifical concelebration presided by Fr. Samuel Chetcuti OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Conventual Community in Malta. Rev. Joseph Gauci, will deliver the panegyric in honour of the Immaculate Conception.

5.00 p.m.: Pontifical concelebration of the Second Vespers of the Solemnity presided by Fr. Samuel Chetcuti OFM Conv.

5.45 p.m.: The La Stella band of Victoria hails the appearance of the statue of the Immaculate Conception with the hymn Lodate Maria (G. Flamingo).

6.00 p.m.: Pontifical procession along the main streets of the city, led by Fr. Samuel Chetcuti OFM Conv., with the participation of the members of the religious community and the members of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception (1663). The La Stella band accompanies the procession with the performance of religious hymns.

6.15 p.m.: March by the Mnarja band (Nadur) from Enrico Mizzi Street to St. Francis Square, followed by a musical programme on the Church parvis by the same band.

8.00 p.m.: Triumphal entrance of the statue of the Immaculate Conception into St. Francis Church, followed by the execution of the antiphon Hodie Egressa Est (Mgr. Giuseppe Farrugia, 1884) and Eucharistic Benediction.

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