Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2008 » 26 MAY 08 130TH ANNIVERSARY DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH

The 130 anniversary of the dedication of Xaghra Parish Church was, as happened every year, solemnly commemorated on 26th May 2008. It was under the ninth Parish Priest, Fr. Giovanni Camilleri from Nadur, on the 26 May 1878 that the Parish Church of Xaghra was consecrated. This year the commemoration was special. Coming on the eve of the Year dedicated to St. Paul, Is-Sena Pawlina, the relic of Saint Paul venerated in the Church of St Paul;s Shipwreck in Valletta was brought over to Xaghra. This reliquary was first brought to Xaghra in 1988 when the Parish was celebrating the third centenary of its birth on 26 April 1688. The relic consists of the right hand wrist bone of Saint Paul. Xaghra is closely associated with this relic as we have been told that the silver arm of the reliquary was modelled on that of a man from Xaghra. At 7.00 p.m. Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra was the main celebrant at Concelebrated High Mass. The Choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella animated the singing accompanied on the organ by Mario Curmi. At end of Mass, the congregation went up the nave to kiss the relic.

E5
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E9 Arch Refalo kisses the Relic
F1 Archpriest Refalo exhibits the relic before it is moved away
F2 The organist kisses the relic
F3 The reliquary housing the right wrist bone of St Paul
F4 Admiring the relic at close range
F5 last moments near the relic
F6 Can Refalo recording the great event

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