The tiny chapel dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady, situated in the beautiful Lunzjata valley, will be celebrating the Feast of the Holy Eucharist known as ‘Il-Kwaranturi,’ between Thursday, the 4th and Saturday, the 6th of June.

The Maltese word Kwaranturi has its origin in the Italian expression “Quarant’Ore” and refers to the 40 hours of solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and consequent adoration, that are programmed over three days.

This festivity is held by all the parishes of Gozo during the year and is known as the Festa tal-Kwaranturi. In its ‘Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy’ issued in 2001, the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship encourages this festivity and gives directives about its celebration.

The Congregation states that the Forty Hours’ Adoration should involve the “entire religious community” and should include Scripture reading, hymns based on those of the Liturgy of the Hours as well as periods of silent prayer and reflection (cfr n.165).

The Kwaranturi have both a theological and a devotional significance. According to tradition the 40 hours of continual adoration are intended to honour the 40 hours during which the body of Our Lord is considered to have rested in the tomb.

The programme, which is in Maltese, is shown in full below:

Il-Hamis 4 ta’ Gunju : Jum L-Erwieh Ikkonsagrati

Mill-4.30 sal-5.30pm: Adorazzjoni Solenni. L-ewwel nofs siegha tkun adorazzjoni fis-skiet.

Fil-5.00pm: Ruzarju Meditat. F’din is-sena iddedikata ghall-Erwieh Ikkonsagrati, isir talb ghall-Erwieh Ikkonsagrati kollha u specjalment ghas-sacerdoti li fil-quddiesa kuljum jaghtuna lil Gesu` Ewkaristiku bhala ikel spiritwali taghna.

Fil-5.25pm: Talba ghas-Sacerdoti u Barka Ewkaristika.

Fil-5.30pm: Quddiesa bil-kant li titmexxa minn Mons. Karm Borg

Il-Gimgha 5 TA’ GUNJU : Jum ta’ talb ghas-sinodu tal-familja

Mill-4.30 sal-5.30pm: Adorazzjoni Solenni. L-ewwel nofs siegha tkun adorazzjoni fis-skiet.

Fil-5.00pm: Ruzarju tal-Familja Nisranija b’meditazzjonijiet dwar il-familja fuq kitba tal-E.T. Mons. Isqof Nikol Cauchi. Isir talb ghall-familji ta’ pajjizna.

Fil-5.25pm: Att ta’ Konsagrazzjoni tal-Familji lill-Qalb Imqaddsa ta’ Gesu` u Barka Ewkaristika.

Fil-5.30pm: Quddiesa bil-kant li titmexxa minn Mons. Karm Borg

Is-Sibt 6 ta’ Gunju: Festa Solenni tal-Gisem u d-Demm tal-Mulej

Mill-4.30 sal-5.30pm: Adorazzjoni Solenni. L-ewwel nofs siegha tkun adorazzjoni fis-skiet.

Fil-5.00pm: Ruzarju Meditat. Isir talb ghal dawk li joffendu lil Gesu` Ewkaristija bid-dagha.

Fil-5.25pm: Litanija tar-Riparazzjoni u Barka Ewkaristika.

Fil-5.30pm: Quddiesa Koncelebrata ta’ Korpus li titmexxa minn Mons. Karm Borg bl-omelija dwar L-Ewkaristija minn Dun Joe Calleja. Jiehu sehem il-Grupp tal-Kitarri tal-Parrocca tal-Gharb.

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