The traditional feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot will once again be celebrated in in Xaghra with a programme of social and religious activities reaching its climax on Sunday, the 20th of January 2013.
Saint Anthony enjoys great devotion in Xaghra. In fact, he was the first patron saint of Xaghra Parish between 1688 and 1692 before the construction of Xaghra Parish Church which was dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady.
Saint Anthony is an important figure in the Catholic Church and he is considered as the Father of Monasticism which started the solitary life in the desert for the service of God. He is the protector Saint of animals.
This year, Xaghra Parish is commemorating the 325th Anniversary of its foundation whilst the Church of Saint Anthony is commemorating the 25th Anniversary of its Consecration which happened on 28th April 1988 by H.L. Bishop Nicholas J. Cauchi, the then Bishop of Gozo.
The programme of activities for the feast day is as follows:
Sunday, the 20th of January – 6.00am, 7.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm and 7.00pm:
Masses in the church of Saint Anthony the Abbot.
8.30am: Solemn Mass led by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech together with the Reverend Chapter and Clergy of Xaghra Parish.
9.30am: Festive Band Marches by the Victory Band from San Marzjal belvedere to the Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot.
10.00am: Traditional Blessing of Horses led by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo. There will be a defile’ of horses which accompany the statue of Saint Anthony to Xaghra Basilica.
11.00am: Dog Show organised by the Xaghra Local Council in Victory Square.
1.00pm: Children’s races in Qacca Road.
3.30pm: At the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Solemn Vespers led by Bishop Mario Grech.
4.00pm: Procession with the statue of Saint Anthony followed by the traditional blessing of pets in Saint Anthony’s Square. The procession ends in the church of Saint Anthony where the hymn ‘Te Deum’ is sung and Eucharistic Benediction is imparted.
Those interested in registering their dogs for the dog show have to fill in an application form which can be obtained from the Xaghra Local Council’s administrative offices or the Council’s website, www.xaghra.com [1] and return it to the offices by not later than Friday, the 18th of January 2012 during normal business hours.
No registration is needed for the horses’ blessing and the blessing of pets.
For more information about this traditional feast, kindly contact the Rector of Saint Anthony’s Church, Canon John Sultana on 99826350 or the Council’s offices on 21 563737.