07 SEP 09 - COMMEMORATING THE TWO SIEGES

08 SEP 09 - FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF MARIA BAMBINA - PONTIFICAL MASS

NATIVITAS TUA GAUDIUM ANNUNTIAVIT UNIVERSO MUNDO - YOUR BIRTH ANNOUNCED GREAT JOY TO THE WHOLE WORLD.  These words reverberated within the walls of the Basilica this morning when at 9.00 H.L. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo celebrated the Birthday of the Bambina during Solemn Pontifical Mass with thirty two priests all from Xaghra with the exception of a handful. WE WISH YOU ALL, ESPECIALLY XAGHRA EMIGRANTS, A HAPPY FEAST. - Note : the accompanying pictures have not been edited. 

07 SEP 09 - VIVACIOUS BAND MARCH

07 SEP 09 TRANSLATION OF RELIQUARY AND SOLEMN VESPERS

06 SEP 09 - MANIFESTATION WITH BAMBINA

04 SEP 09 - VICTORY BAND CONCERT

Every year, the Victory Band of Xaghra presents a musical program with the collaboration of the Xaghra Local Council as part of its program of activities for the Parish Titular feast. This is held in Victory Square which will be closed to traffic and seating made available for those attending. This concert has gained popularity over the years giving great encouragement to the organizers as it is being well attended.   This year it took place on 4th September, Ms Carmen Bajada compering. The Band was under the baton of its musical Director, Mro Joseph Galea L.C.M. with Asst Director Mro Josef Debrincat taking the stand conducting the Band playing a selection during which the young bandsman Joe Xerri played solo trumpet.   The Society’s Choir Nativitas was this year marking the 10th Anniversary of its founding. Besides singing during the concert, the Choir, Ms Silvana Agius Director and Mr Ivan Attard Assistant Director, officially launched its own CD. Presentations of this Cd were made to the Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo, the President Emeritus Michael Cini, Xaghra Mayor Joseph Cordina, Society President Eucharist Sultana, Musical Director Joseph Galea and Spritual Director Can. Julian Refalo Rapa. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo made a short speech at the end of which he blessed three new musical instruments, Euphoniums, recently bought by the Society.   When the Concert ended, the Band marched to its premises where the bandsmen were entertained to festa drinks.

08 SEP 09 - THE HILARIOUS 11 am BAND MARCH

06 SEP 09 - THIRD DAY TRIDUUM NEW CANONS INSTALLED

Fl-ahhar Jum tat-Tridu tal-Festa tal-Bambina, il-Hadd 6 ta Settembru, thabbret il-hatra ta hames kanonici godda ghall-Knisja Kolleggjata tax-Xaghra, tlieta minnhom jinghataw hatra effettiva waqt li t-tnejn l-ohra hatra Onorarja. Dawk effettivi huma l-Kanonku Joseph Sultana Azzopardi, il-Kanonku Michael Galea u l-Kanonku Guzepp Cini. Waqt l-Ghasar Solenni presedut mill-Arcipriet Emeritus Mons Eucaristico Sultana, L-ewwel tnejn hadu l-pussess minn idejn il-Vigarju Generali, Mons Giovanni Bosco Gauci, il-Kanonku Guzepp Cini se jiehu l-pussess iktar il quddiem. Qabel inghataw il-pussess, il-Kancellier tal-Kurja, Mons. Salv Debrincat qara d-digriet tal-hatra tal-Kanonci moghti mill-E.T. Mons Isqof Mario Grech. Iz-zewg hatriet onorarji kienu Fr Eddie Zammit mix-Xewkija, Assistent Persunali ta Mons Isqof u Fr Joe Said, kappillan tal-Parrocca ta San Piju X gewwa Supino, l-Italja. Ritratti kortesija ta Dr Aaron Attard Hili, L.L.D.   The Collegiate Chapter of Xaghra Parish Church recently welcomed the addition of five new canons. Three of them are effective while the other two carry honorary posts. The three effective ones are Can. Joseph Sultana Azzopardi, Can. Michael Galea and Can. Joseph Cini. During solemn Vespers on 6th September, led by Archpriest Emeritus Mgr Eucharist Sultana, the first named were confirmed in their appointment by Vicar General  Mgr Giovanni Bosco. Can Joseph Cini will receive his at a later date. Before being confirmed, the Curia Chancellor, Mgr Salv Debrincat read the edict of nomination issued by H.L. Bishop Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo. The two honorary posts were bestowed on Fr Eddie Zammit of Xewkija, the Bishop’s Personal Assistant, and Fr Joe Said of Xaghra, Parish Priest of St Pius X in Supino, Italy. Photos courtesy Dr Aaron Attard Hili, L.L.D.

06 SEP 09 - LAST DAY OF NOVENA

Sunday 6th September, last day of the Novena and last day of Triduum was dedicated to all those born in Xaghra but residing elsewhere in Malta and Gozo. Mass was celebrated by Fr Joseph Curmi, one of the three newly ordained Xaghra priests with his brother Fr Michael among the concelebrants. Only ex Xaghrin from those attending were involved in Mass, animation - Mrs Agnes Mizzi, the  Readings, Prayers of the Faithful and Offertory. Choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella with Mr Ronald Camilleri accompanying on the organ animated the singing as they did on the previous two days of Triduum. Canon Joseph Sultana delivered the last of the nine Novena sermons. After Mass, Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra led the congregation in the recitation of the Hymn - Kurunella. Canon John Sultana assisted by Hon Can Michael Camilleri O.P. and Fr Charles Sultana then officiated the Ave Maris Stella service with music provided by an orchestra and Maria Bambina Choir under the direction of Mr. Ronald Camilleri. The evening service came to an end with benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

08 SEP 09 - THE RETURN TO BASILICA AERIAL FIREWORKS

Photos copyright of Ted Attard of Victoria who kindly sent us these photos.

08 SEP 09 - LAST BAND MARCH AND END OF FESTA

After many days of preparations and celebrations especially the fortnight preceding Festa Day, with various groups, committee and subcommittee members engaged in the smooth running of the programme, comes the final act closing the festa - Il-marc tal-Ahhar - the final band march. This brings together all the mentioned groups to enable them enjoy in comfort and revelry and taste the success of their labours. These boys would have missed a lot of the festa due to their commitments especially those connected with fireworks stationing themselves for long hours in the fields, either during daylight or right during the night, far away from the crowds. This march by the local Victory Band sheds not just the bandsmen uniforms but also the music tempo. At times the beat goes faster and faster and abruptly coming to a slow pace with the music looking more funereal (end of festa) than hilarious. Bandsmen switch instruments some of them decorated and the drum getting pride of place high above all the rest with the drummer exerting himself to manage to beat at it. But not all will be joining in. With September weather not to be trusted as it may rain anytime, those involved with the street decorations immediately start pulling down everything perishable with water. They call others to help as it is a mammoth job to be completed in the shortest time. By 4.00 a.m. they would have cleared all that has to be taken down and packed away and in the morning after the feast it will look like there were no celebrations!

08 SEP 09 - PROCESSION

12 SEP 09 - THANKSGIVING MASS AND RETURN TO NICHE

05 SEP 09 - EMIGRANTS DAY - CHURCH SERVICE

On Saturday, 5 September in the evening, the many Xaghra emigrants who came from the four corners of the globe converged on the Basilica to attend the Service dedicated to them. It was, as usual on the 5th day of September, the Second Day of Triduum and besides taking an active part during mass, they could enjoy listening to the music in the Church. Under the baton of Mr Ronald Camilleri, Choir Maria Bambina, tenor Andrew Sapiano and baritone Pio Dalli were accompanied by an orchestra singing the Ave Maris Stella. The climax of course was when the Antifona was intoned and sung. The expression on their faces bore witness to their feelings of joy. The main celebrant was the young newly ordained priest Fr Anthony Bajada. Emigrants from those present were selected to read the Lessons and Prayers of the Faithful and present Mass offerings. In his sermon, Can Joseph Sultana welcomed the emigrants and personally thanked them for the welcome he received last year in Australia and earlier on during his stay in the United States. After the service, the emigrants were invited to the Parish House where they were addressed by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and entertained to refreshments. Later they joined the popular band march held in their honour moving along Triq Spiera, Bullara and Knisja ending up in Pjazza Il-Vitorja. The Leone Band of Victoria and San Girgor Band of Kercem played marches to the merriment of all those present.

05 SEP 09 - EMIGRANTS DAY - RECEPTION

05 SEP 09 - EMIGRANTS DAY - THE BAND MARCH

03 SEP 09 - TRADITIONAL FESTA DINNER

The popular Festa Dinner for many years was held in the large open space next to Ta Kola Windmill. Over the years it gathered so much popularity that this year with the high demand for a place that the organisers switched the event to Victory Square and a big success it was.

02 SEP 09 ANNIVERSARY CROWNING OF STATUE - THE BAND MARCH

02 SEP 09 - ANNIVERSARY CROWNING OF STATUE - MASS

01 SEP 09 - YOUTH FEST

The first day of the month of September, known as the month of the Bambina, was dedicated to Youth. Special invitation for Mass in the evening was sent out to all Xaghra Youths. Mass was celebrated by Fr Joe Said, Parish Priest of St Pius X Parish in Italy. After Mass, the youths gathered in 8th September Avenue to enjoy the presence of DJ's, bands and singers. DJ Joseph Spiteri was the first to warm up the youths present. And it did not take long for them to warm up as they sang, danced and applauded to the top music DJ  Spiteri provided them with. Next was DJ Terra. He too received long and explosive applause. The climax of the evening was evident as DJ Terra announced that Ira Losco was there and then arriving on stage. All those present broke into delirium. They gave Ira a great warm welcome at one time nearly taking over the stage. Ira Losco did not hold back, hit after hit of hers shot down on the young people who voiciferously accompanied her. Then it was time for The Zoo to take over the stage. They entertained those present with their number. It did not take them long to pick animals from the floor. First to arrive was the pork, then the cat, the cow, and the camel. They too picked out a lad thought to be the most vulgar. The choice however fell on the wrong one as he was the one of the most exemplary lads present and in no way did he fit in the picture.  He, however, took it lightly and was at ease. The animals treated everybody with their noises sometimes exerting themselves to successfully give out the cry resembling that of the animal they represented. No less a great welcome given to the next number, Johnny Cash and his Band. Cash and Band entertained those present with song after song without interruption, Johnny covering each and every centimetre of the stage throughout their presentation. It was late at night when DJ Armani took over and delighted all youths present with his choice of songs. The evening was sponsored by Manuel Sultana who also at one time took part on stage accompanying Ira Losco. Definitely youths will be looking forward impatiently to this Fest next year.