Be the first to comment!Leone Philharmonic Society wants spiritual ceremony in Cathedral Square
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
The Leone Philharmonic Society AD 1863 of Victoria, Gozo, has said that it “deplores the fact that the Health Authorities have failed to issue all the necessary permits to hold the spiritual function associated with the Feast of Santa Marija on Sunday.”
The Leone Philharmonic Society, in a statement said that it had requested a permit for a spiritual ceremony in the Cathedral Square, as was the case last year.
It said that access to the public would be totally closed, those present would only be the Leone Band, the Aurora Youth Choir, Cathedral Chapter and the Bishop of Gozo, as seen in the photo above taken at last year’s ceremony.
During this function, the Rosary is said and the Sacramental Blessing of the statue of St. Mary is made – which is placed at the main door of Gozo Cathedral.
The Leone Philharmonic Society stressed that all this was planned and strictly organised within the parameters and regulations of the Department of Health for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19, ie with the public banned, with the distances set as required for the band members, members of the choir and the Cathedral Chapter.
This event took place last year, and was broadcast on the media, so that the the public could follow the spiritual ceremony from home, the Society said.
It noted that public access was closed through security officers at each entrance to the Citadel. The Society argued that therefore “the position taken by the Health Authorities this year is totally absurd and does not make sense.”
It claimed that, “while a concession was granted for the Leone Band to play in the Cathedral Square, with the participation of the Aurora Youth Choir and with the participation of the Bishop of Gozo and the Cathedral Chapter, permission has been denied to place the statue of St. Mary at the main door of the Cathedral Gozo.”
The Leone Philharmonic Society concluded by thanking all the entities that have given their approval and support to the spiritual ceremony. “In particular, the Leone Philharmonic Society would like to thank Bishop Anton Theuma, who from the first said that he had no objection to the spiritual celebration being carried as was planned.”
