The Xaghra Local Council is once again collaborating in the organisation of the traditional feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot. This hermit saint enjoys popular devotion in Xaghra where he was venerated as the patron saint of the same Parish between 1688 and 1692. This devotion is centered around the chapel dedicated to his honour in the area knows as ‘Tal-Qacca.’

The full programme for the feast day is as follows:

Sunday 15th January:

8.30am: In the church of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a Solemn Concelebrated Mass led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

9.30am: Festive band marches by the Victory Band of Xaghra from San Marzjal belvedere to the Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot.

10.00am: Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony from his church to Saint Anthony Square where the traditional blessing of horses is held.

10.45am: A horse parade accompanied by the Victory Band. The statue of Saint Anthony will be carried to the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady.

11.00am: A Dog Show in Saint Anthony Square. There will be traditional Maltese music by George Bonello and Joseph Refalo. There will also be the bouncy castle and face painting for children.

11.00am: A Cat Show in Saint Anthony Street. These shows are being organised in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Affairs, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Dialogue and the Malta Tourism Authority.

1.00pm: Children races in Saint Anthony Street.

3.30pm: At the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Solemn Vespers by the Reverend Chapter of the Collegiate Church presided by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

3.45pm: Festive band marches by the Victory Band of Xaghra.

4.00pm: Solemn Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech.

4.30pm: Traditional blessing of pets in Saint Anthony Square. The procession returns to the Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot where the thanksgiving hymn Te Deum will be sung and Eucharistic Benediction is imparted.

On the feast day, masses will be celebrated according to this schedule at the Church of Saint Anthony: 6am, 7am, 8.30am (Solemn Mass), 11am, 12pm and 7pm.

There is no need for registration the horses’ and the pets’ blessing.

Application forms for the dog and the cat shows can be obtained from the Xaghra Local Council’s administrative offices or from the Council’s official website, www.xaghra.com.

For more information, please contact the Council’s offices on 21 563737 or send an e-mail on xaghra.lc@gov.mt.

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