The Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot will be celebrated in Xaghra between the 10th and the 17th of January 2011.

The programme of celebrations is as follows:

Monday 10th January: Day dedicated to the Families.

6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary. 6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Reverend Ignatius Borg, Parish Priest of Saint Lawrence Parish. A message will be delivered to all families present as they renew their marriage vows. Marvic Gauci animates mass. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.

Tuesday 11th January: Day dedicated to Priestly vocations.

6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary by the altar boys who serve the altar in Saint Anthony’s church.

6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Reverend Michael Curmi, Vice Rector of the Diocesan Seminary. The homily will be delivered by Rev Deacon Samuel Grech. The guitarists of the community animate mass. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.

Wednesday 12th January: First Day of Solemn Triduum.

9.00am: Solemn Mass celebrated by Rev Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra Parish, during which the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be administered. Afterwards, a reception will be held at the Xaghra Youth Centre. This activity is organised by the Xaghra Local Council.

6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Saviour Muscat, Archpriest Emeritus of Nadur Parish. The homily during the three days of the Solemn Triduum will be delivered by Rev. Carmelo Dimech, Guardian of the Capuchin Friary in Victoria Gozo. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction. Mass will be animated by Diana Theuma and Marita Vella accompanied on the organ by Marvic Gauci.

Thursday 13th January: Second Day of Solemn Triduum.

6.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by Mgr Anton Refalo Zammit with the Triduum homily. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella and impartation of the Eucharistic Benediction. The liturgy will be animated by the Nativitas Choir led and accompanied on the organ by Ivan Attard.

Friday 14th January: Third Day of Solemn Triduum. A Day Dedicated to Eucharistic Adoration.

7.30am: Celebration of Holy Mass opening a Day of Eucharistic Adoration.

4.00pm: Pilgrimage from the Good Shepherd Church in Victoria. Mass by Rev. Eddie Zammit, Rector.

5.30pm: Eucharistic Adoration.

6.30pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, Vicar General of the Diocese, for the repose of Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of Gozo. Triduum homily by Rev. Carmelo Dimech. The liturgy will be animated by Soprano Rita Dimech accompanied by a small orchestra under the direction of Frank Debono.

Saturday 15th January 2010: Eve of Saint Anthony’s feast.

10.00am: Mass for the parish children led by Fr. Raymond Portelli, a Gozitan missionary in Peru’. Afterwards, a demonstration with the old statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot will be held, ending with a social activity for children in Saint Anthony’s square.

5.15pm: Solemn Translation of the Relic followed by the Solemn Celebration of First Vespers presided by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest.

6.00pm: Solem Concelebrated Mass led by Xaghra Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and animated by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate Choir directed by Ms. Marouska Attard. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella, singing of popular hymn to Saint Anthony the Abbot and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.

8.00pm: Festive ‘High Tea’ at the Crystal Palace Hall, Marsalforn.

Sunday 16th January: Solemn Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

Masses with homily in Saint Anthony’s Church: 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, 11am and noon.

9.00am: Solemn Pontifical Mass presided by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

9.40am: Festive band marches by the Victory Philharmonic Society from San Marzjal belvedere to Saint Anthony’s Church.

10.00am: Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot from his church to Saint Anthony’s Square.

10.15am: Traditional blessing of horses in Saint Anthony’s Square. A defilé of horses along Saint Joseph Street and Church Street accompanies the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot until it enters the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady.

11.00am: A Dog Show in Saint Anthony’s Square organised by the Xaghra Local Council.

11.00am: A Cat Show in Saint Anthony Street organised by the Xaghra Local Council. Registration is open till 13th January at 4.30pm at the Xaghra Local Council’s administrative offices. In Saint Anthony’s square, there will also be a bouncy castle and face painting activity for children.

1.00pm: Fun races for children in Saint Anthony Street organised by the Xaghra Local Council.

3.30pm: At the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Pontifical Celebration of the Second Vespers led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

3.45pm: Festive band marches by the Victory Philharmonic Society from its band club to Victory Square.

4.00pm: Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot with the participation of the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Parish accompanied by the Victory Band of Xag]ra.

4.30pm: Traditional blessing of animals in Saint Anthony Square led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech. The procession ends in Saint Anthony’s Church where the thanksgiving hymn Te Deum is sung and Eucharistic Benediction is imparted.

7.00pm: The last mass with homily in Saint Anthony’s Church.

Monday 17th January: Liturgical Solemnity of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

7.30am: Mass with homily.

1.00pm: Pilgrimage from the Sacred Heart Parish (Fontana Gozo). Celebration of Holy Mass by Rev. Joseph Bajada (Parish Priest).

5.15pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

5.30pm: Solemn Second Vespers.

6.00pm: Solemn Pontifical Mass presided by Mgr Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop Emeritus of Malta. The liturgy will be animated by the Stella Maris Choir and orchestra under the direction of Mro. Carmel P. Grech. Recitation of the traditional Kurunella and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction bring these festivities to an end.

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