Tomorrow, Wednesday, the 21st of January, celebrations get underway in Marsalforn, in honour of Saint Paul, the Patron Saint of this community.
The present church dedicated to Saint Paul, was consecrated by Bishop Michael Gonzi on the 12th of September 1939.
The church is in possession of various pieces of art, including the titular painting of Saint Paul made by local artist Giuseppe Bonnici and the titular statue made in 1925.
This programme of religious and social activities in honour of Saint Paul is being organised by Marsalforn Church in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council and Marsalforn administrative committee.
The programme for this week are as follows:
Saint Paul’s Feast in Marsalforn
Between Wednesday 21st and Friday 23rd January: Solemn Triduum.
5.00pm: Eucharistic Adoration.
5.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary and the traditional Kurunella.
6.00pm: Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Can. Edward Xuereb, Parish Priest of Ghasri. The Liturgy will be animated by the Stella Maris Choir directed by Mro. Carmel P. Grech and accompanied on the organ by Mro. Ivan Attard. The celebration ends with the singing of the Antiphon and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.
Saturday 24th January: Eve of the Solemn Feast.
5.15pm: Solemn Translation of the Relic of Saint Paul along the main streets of Marsalforn.
5.40pm: Solemn Vespers presided by Rev. Canon Rueben Micallef, Archpriest of Zebbug Parish Church.
6.00pm: Solemn Mass presided by Rev. Canon Reuben Micallef together with the Zebbug Parish priests. The Liturgy will be animated by the ‘Regina Angelorum’ Choir directed by Ms. Jacqueline Vella and Ms. Maria Cefai and accompanied on the organ by Franco Cefai. The celebration ends with the impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.
Sunday 25th January: Solemn Feast of Saint Paul
8.00am and 10.00am: Masses with homily.
11.00am: Solemn High Mass presided by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech. The Liturgy will be animated by the ‘Stella Maris’ Choir and Orchestra directed by Mro. Carmel P. Grech.
4.00pm: Solemn Vespers led by Rev. Mgr. Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra Parish Church.
4.00pm: Festive band marches along the main streets of Marsalforn by the Victory Philharmonic Band of Xaghra and Santa Marija Band of Zebbug.
4.30pm: Solemn Procession with the titular statue of Saint Paul along the main streets of Marsalforn accompanied by the two guest bands playing religious band marches. The Victory Band salutes the statue of Saint Paul with the hymn ‘Lil San Pawl, Patrun ta’ Marsalforn’ composed by Mro. Ivan Attard.
5.45pm: The procession returns back to church. There will be the singing of the Antiphon and impartation of Eucharistic Benediction.
6.00pm: Solemn High Mass presided by Rev. Mgr. Carmelo Refalo. The Liturgy will be animated by an orchestra directed by Mro. Colin Attard.
Afterwards, there will be a social activity with live entertainment for which everyone is being invited.