In a few weeks’ time, as we approach Holy Week, the Leone Philharmonic Society will be taking part in several para-liturgical traditional events related to these sacred celebrations.

The events scheduled are as follows:

Good Friday procession; Palm Sunday

Band services start on Palm Sunday, 1st April 2012 as the Good Friday procession issues from the Gozo Cathedral with the participation of the Leone Band (Gozo), the Fgura Scouts band and the Rev. Cathedral Chapter.

This earliest Good Friday procession in Gozo includes a set of 7 devotional tableaus, some of them dating back to the 18th century. This year will see the introduction of several biblical figures and a new set of decorative lamps for the statues amongst other additions. Il-procession departs from the Gozo Cathedral within the Citadel fortifications at 6pm while the Leone band will perform a set of funeral marches found in the album Redemptoris Mater (2011).

Good Friday vigil; on Monday

On Monday, the 2nd of April 2012, the Gozo Cathedral Parish will be organising an open-air prayer vigil in preparation for Good Friday in the Citadel’s main square. This will be a public moment of prayer and reflection at the feet of each of the devotional statues representing the mysteries of suffering from the passion of the Christ as they are displayed beneath the Cathedral’s main portals.

The vigil starts at 7pm and seating will be provided at the Cathedral Square.

Sacred Music at the Cathedral; on Tuesday

The Leone Band will perform another keynote concert in its annual concert calendar on Tuesday the 3rd of April 2012, inside the Gozo Cathedral, a baroque architectural masterpiece of Lorenzo Gafá.

The Leone Band said that it will make full use of island’s Cathedral’s homogeneous acoustics and poignant décor as it performs some of the most well known seasonal motets, arias and chorales. The programme will feature the Leone Band conducted by Colin Attard and will be presented by courtesy of the Rev. Cathedral Chapter.

It will start at 7.30pm and entrance is free of charge.

Festive demonstration of the Risen Christ; Easter Sunday

The Easter Gloria will be rung from the Cathedral’s bell tower on Saturday evening during the Pontifical High Mass by H.E. the Bishop of Gozo, while the Leone Band will play its Gloria on Sunday morning when it parades the statue of the Risen Christ.

The morning march will leave the Gozo Cathedral at 10.30am and will proceed around Savina and Independence (it-Tokk) Squares.

Further information can be obtained from the bands website at www.leone.org.mt.

Photo – Leo M Haber (2011).

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