Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » 16 MAY 09 - ST JOHN BOSCO IN XAGHRA
This year the Salesians are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Society by Don Giovanni Bosco and his canonisation 75 years ago. The Don Bosco Oratory in Gozo too is celebrating its 75th anniversary. To commemorate these anniversaries, the statue of St John Bosco is touring the parishes in Gozo. Xaghra was associated very early with St John Bosco as at that time the building to house the Catholic Action was being undertaken and put under the protection of St John Bosco. The hall had a stage and its curtain shows Don Bosco on a rock with three youths hanging on to him surrounded by menacing waves. Approaching them in stormy seas is a big ship symbolising the Catholic Church with the Pope standing on the prow. On each side are columns, one with the Immaculate Conception and the other with the Holy Eucharist on top. This curtain was painted by Michael Angelo Apap, later Mgr Apap, on canvas in 1934 and this too is, therefore this year, celebrating its 75th anniversary. The statue was brought on the morning of 16th May from the parish of Nadur and placed in the Xaghra Youth Centre, originally the Catholic Action Centre. In the evening, youths transported the statue to the Basilica in procession while the bells in the towers rang to welcome the Saint;s image. Mass was then celebrated by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo. Co celebrating with him were Can Anthony Refalo, Director of the Youth Centre and Can Julian Refalo Rapa, one of the first enrolled members of the Catholic Action Centre. The following day, Sunday May 17th, more celebrations were programmed to take place.
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