Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » FESTA 2009 » 27 AUG 09 - PRAYER VIGIL FESTA 09

On the eve of the First Day of the Novena to the Bambina starting on Friday 28 August 2009, a Prayer Vigil was held on the Church parvis as a prelude to the coming Titular feast of Xaghra. A congregation of over four hundred parishioners took part in prayers. The clergy moved in procession from the Passion Oratory with Can Anthony Refalo leading holding the Icon of the Virgin Mary. In line with the Year of the Priesthood, several priests described some of their experiences in their missionary work. Among them was Fr Joe Borg MSSP, who spent fifteen years as a missionary in Pakistan. Archpriest Carmelo Refalo who had earlier in the morning visited the ailing young priest Fr Joshua Muscat described how he found the latter not only offering the sacrifice at Mass but how he was also the sacrifice in his present state of health. After prayers and the experiences, Fr Richard Richard Nazzareno Farrugia brought the Blessed Sacrament for moments of adoration. During prayers that followed, offerings were laid at the feet of the Holy Eucharist by members of Festa sub committees. They represented the Ghaqda tal-Armar in charge of putting up street decorations, the Ghaqda tan-Nar VMB 1973 in charge of fireworks, the Victory Band in charge of bands for the Festa, the liturgical Group, and the Fund Raising Committee. Finally, after ninety minutes of reflections, prayers and singing, benediction with the Blessed Sacrament was imparted by Fr Richard N Farrugia. 

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G9 Offerings in front of the Holy Eucharist
H1 Incensing Holy Eucharist prior to Benediction
H2 Part of the Congregation
H3 Benediction
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H6 Prayers after Benediction
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H9 Illuminated Church facade
I1 Archpriest thanking the Congregation
I2 The Blessed Sacrament back inside the Basilica
I3 Blessed Sacrament back in the tabernacle

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