Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » FEAST OF ST PAUL - MARSALFORN » 25 JAN 09 - FEAST OF ST PAUL - MARSALFORN - PROCESSION
On Sunday, the weather was bad in the morning and got worse in the afternoon with procession scheduled for 4.45 pm. Strong winds near gale force, high waves battering the Marsalforn coastline and rain provided a gloomy picture for a great feast. When Vespers were over, the procession could not go ahead due to prevailing showers. An upbeat Canon Michael Borg would not let the weather spoil the programme of the feast. From the ambone he called on the congregation packing the Church to recite the Hymn (Kurunella) of the Saint. By the time it was finished, the Victory Band of Xaghra was set to start playing Band Marches. The Confraternities of Xaghra Parish started moving out, but no sooner the statue of St Paul was in the doorway of the Church that showers again returned and bandsmen and confraternities ran for cover. The statue of St Paul meanwhile standing in the doorway, Can Michael Borg, the Rector, was outside hoping for the best. When showers turned into a drizzle, a defiant Rector gave the signal for the procession to start. It was a very courageous step but it turned out to be a wise one as not long after the procession was moving along the streets of Marsalforn, the drizzle died down. This enabled the route to be lengthened and cover many a street in this tourist resort. However, plans for the procession to pass through the belvedere had to be dropped as high waves were making a clean sweep out there. It was a great moment of joy when the procession returned back to the Church. A triumphant Canon Borg went back to the ambone to lesd the congregation in thanking the Lord that the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the first activity under his rectorship, was a great success and the Saint was honoured. Taking part in the procession were the altar boys residents of Marsalforn, Xaghra Parish altar boys and Chapter and Clergy, the three confraternities and the Victory Band. Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest presided over the ceremony.
Rating 5.0 (1 vote)
