Update – Due to the unfavourable weather conditions some of the Good Friday processions have unfortunately had to be cancelled. Details available so far are shown below.

Late afternoon on Good Friday, many villages in Gozo commemorate the Passion of Christ by an organised and very solemn procession of statues.

This year, if the weather permits, it will be the first time the processions will have been held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Solemn Commemoration of the Passion and death of the Lord takes place around three o’clock in the afternoon so that the faithful grasp the significance of living moment by moment the most important times of the Mystery of our Salvation, the Church said.

The significance of this event is emphasised by the darkness in the church, the lack of use of musical instruments, the silence, and the dramatic gestures used almost only during this Liturgical Action.

Only on Good Friday, after the Liturgical Action, the Church said that the faithful are encouraged to genuflect before the cross as the means on which the Lord brought to us salvation.

The Passion procession is normally accompanied by the band performing funeral marches, and includes hundreds of volunteers that take part.

Each of the statues represents a particular episode in the Passion of the Christ and is carried by pallbearers.

Between one statue and another (some ten in all) participants are dressed as biblical characters who take part in the procession in a dignified manner.Many processions include men in penitence wearing hoods and bearing a cross, or sometimes dragging chains which are tied to their bare ankles and feet.

Good Friday procession in Gozo today:

San Lawrenz – 3.00pm

St George’s, Victoria – 5.30pm – Cancelled

Xaghra – 6.00pm – Cancelled

Zebbug – 6.00pm – Will be held in the church following the Liturgy at 4.30pm a meditation will be held in the church on each representation prepared by Fr. Krystof Buttigieg, accompanied by the band and choirs

Nadur – 6.00pm.

Photos: Good Friday procession in Xaghra by Alain Salvary

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