Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2010 » TITULAR FEAST 2010 » 26 AUG 2010 - BIRTHDAY PILGRIMAGE
A fitting start to commemorate the 2025th Birthday of the Bambina witha pilgrimage held on Thursday 26th August 2010. The three parishes in Malta dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady were invited. Leading pilgrims fromthe respective parishes were their Spiritual Leaders, the Rev. Fr. Carmelo Mercieca, Parish Priest of Mellieha, the Rev. Can. Evan Caruana Archpriest of Naxxar and the Rev. Can. Joseph Grech Archpriest of Senglea. Representatives of the Victory Church in Qormi were also invited and attended. They were warmly welcomed by Mgr. Archpriest Carmelo Refalo on behalf of the Xaghra parishioners.The servicestarted with Vespers being sung. Choir made of altar boys andother singerstook part under the direction of Rev. Fr. Michael Curmi. At the end of Vespers, Mgr Refalo presented the three parishes and representative of Victory Church Qormi with richly embroidered religious vestments. The statue then left the niche and the pilgrimage started. Outside the Basilica it was welcomed by the hundreds present in Victory Square applauding.The Victory band seated on the parvis played the Ave Maria accompanied by the Nativitas Choir under the direction of Mrs Silvana Agius. It then moved to 8th September Avenue, Triq Frangisk Camilleri, Triq l-Imqades and back to 8th September Avenue, Victory Square and ending up in the Basilica. Arriving in the Square a 21 petard salute was given followed by coloured aerial fireworks while it crossed the Square to the Basilica. Inside the Basilica silence fell as Orchestra, tenor Andrew Sapiano, baritonePio Dalliand Maria Bambina Choir under the direction of Mr Ronald Camilleri played and sang the Antifona by Mro V Bugeja. The service came to an end with benediction with the Holy Eucharist being imparted. The statue was then placed under her canopy in the nave amidst the applauseof the congregation. There it will stay until Saturday 11 September.
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