Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » 04 OCT 09 - FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was celebrated in Xaghra as usual on the first Sunday of October. But that was all that was usual because this year this devout religious celebration centred on the suburb of Nazzarenu.   Nazzarenu celebrates the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday 18 October. However, the Church there is this year celebrating the first centenary of its Blessing in 1909. So, exceptionally for this year, the Feast of the Holy Rosary was held there opening a fortnight of religious and social celebrations.   Mass was held in the open in Triq Mannar, the street on the side of the Church. The artistic statue of Our Lady of the Rosary from the Basilica was placed at the beginning of the said street facing Triq Mannar. An altar was raised about fifty metres away from it and in between sat the congregation.   Mass was celebrated by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest assisted by Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra, Mgr Carmelo Hili and Can Anthony Refalo Rapa, Rector of Nazzarenu Church. Nine other priests from Xaghra concelebrated. Mass was animated by Mr Carmel Agius. Mr Ronald Camilleri on the organ accompanied the Choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella.   The three Confraternities then led the procession with the statue following. The Collegiate Chapter and the Clergy followed with Mgr Archpriest carrying the reliquary. The faithful brought the rear of the procession through the kilometre long route from Nazzarenu Church to the Basilica passing through Triq Gnien Xibla and Triq it-Tigrija to Pjazza il-Vitorja. All the way the Holy Rosary was recited. The ceremony ended with benediction with the Holy Eucharist in the Basilica.

L2  Procession in Triq it-Tigrija with School in background
L3  Procession in Triq it-Tigrija with School in background
L4 Fr Saviour Sultana carries the Reliquary
L5 In Triq it-Tigrija
L6 In Triq it-Tigrija
L7 In Triq it-Tigrija
L8 Arriving in Pjazza il-Vitorja
L9 In Pjazza Il-Vitorja
M1 At sunset with flag of Parish Offices in background
M2 Arriving on the parvis
M3
M4 Entering the Basilica
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9 In the Basilica
N1 Altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary
N2 Painting of the Battle of Lepanto
N3

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