Update: More photos – The traditional feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot is being celebrated in in Xaghra today. It started with a Concelebrated Mass at St Anton Church, led by the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Mario Grech.

There was a dog and reptile show in the Square earlier today, which attracted a lot of entrants and created a great deal of interest for those present at the event.A procession with the statue of St Anthony the Abbot will leave from the Basilica this afternoon, accompanied by the Victory band and afterwards there will be the blessing of pets and other animals on St Anton Square.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.

Photographs of the Dog and Reptile show and the Blessing of pets are by Alain Salvary

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