23 MAR 08 EASTER MANIFESTATION WITH JESUS RESURRECTION

After the successful presentation of the Pageant, the evening was crowned with the manifestation to the Risen Christ. The end of the pageant was the start of this public manifestation in honour of Jesus risen from the dead, proving beyond doubt that he was the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. As a human being He died but as God he triumphed over death. The statue brought down in Victory Square to the great applause of the crowd present, the Victory Band led by its Musical Director Mro Joseph Galea, arrived playing festive marches. It stayed on going round the Square playing marches with the statue following behind.

23 MAR 08 EASTER PAGEANT

An annual attraction in Xaghra on Easter Sunday afternoon is the Pageant cum Manifestation of the Risen Christ. This has always been a success and received very favourably. In the beginning it was a presentation of episodes form the life of the Lord. In recent years that still formed the main spirit of the plot but in time it started taking on subjects afflicting modern society; this year it dealt with abortion. “Halluni Nghix … Fikom” – “Let Me Live … in You” was this year’s title meaning both the unborn baby’s cry for life and Jesus’ call to all not to abort Him from our lives through sinning. Script by Carmel Bajada, who also directed the presentation, the pageant was held on Victory Square. The first scenes from the Bible show Mary with Jesus as a toddler, Joseph looking after them. The angel calls Joseph during his sleep telling him to flee to Egypt with Mary and her son to save Jesus from the wrath of Herod. The scene changes to today’s Herod with the killing of the unborn child through abortion. The young unmarried pregnant girl opting for abortion is represented by a lady with a baby asking Herod’s soldier to kill her son. Meantime her conscience, represented by an angel, tries to dissuade her from doing it. But by this time the soldier had taken the baby and killed it (abortion completed). After that we witness the trauma the mother goes through after having had her unborn child aborted. This scene is followed by a mother running with her toddler to protect her son from death on Herod’s orders. The soldier arrives and snatches the child and runs away with it to kill him leaving the mother grieving and sobbing. Jesus followed by Peter arrives on the scene, praising and blessing the mother who wanted her son to live. Turning on the other woman He showed her the gravity of her action but forgave her telling her to go and not sin again. We have the Bible scene of Jesus carrying the Cross and then being crucified. Mary Magdalene is represented by the lady who aborted her unborn child. The devil appears calling on the forces of darkness and evil to rise against the true Light as the Redemption of Man was going to lose him souls. Finally Jesus is taken down from the Cross and moved to the tomb from where soon after the statue of the Risen Christ is carried out. Manifestation followed afterwards. This year’s pageant had a very strong message against abortion and the producer, Mr. Carmel Bajada, deserves a lot of praise how he tackled the subject. At the front end of the parvis, a tomb with rocks made from papier mache was constructed but unfortunately it had to be protected by planks because of the strong wind which was blowing at the time.

23 MAR 08 CHILDREN GET THEIR PARISH FIGOLLA

Easter Sunday morning mass at 11.00 was attended by many young people and children. After Mass ended the children did not take much time to be out on the parvis where members of the Eucharistic Communities were waiting with basket loads of figolli for the Archpriest to present to the young generation. They greeted Mgr Refalo more zealously than usual and lined up to receive their share of expertly cooked and multicoloured figolli.

22 MAR 2008 EASTER SATURDAY AGAPE

After the Service, Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo went out on the church parvis on a cold night to mix with his parishioners and exchange with them warm Easter greetings during Agape. With the parents of the youngest member of the Community, Thea, baptized an hour earlier during the religious celebration held in her mother’s arms, the Archpriest cut a delicious cake made for the occasion giving the signal for the social celebration, Agape, to start. Members from the Eucharistic Communities prepared sandwiches and cake served with hot drinks. Young Nathania Camilleri went round with a basket entertaining the crowd with the traditional “qassatat ta’ l-Ghid”. They went down extremely well with the guests and Nathania was not given a chance to tire herself as in no time she was relieved of the load which her mother Rose had expertly prepared at home during the day. These “qassatat ta’ l-Ghid” are said to be made only in the village of Xaghra and only at Easter time. These are small cheese pastries filled with grated sheep’s cheeselets (gbejniet nexfin) mixed with beaten eggs and ground black pepper. The top is left open so that when they are baked in the oven the filling overflows and comes out symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb. The parvis was full of people of all ages and different nationalities – ‘Gozitan’, Maltese, British, American, Australian, Indian. They enjoyed mixing, talking and drinking hot chocolate, coffee or tea keeping the members of the Eucharistic Communities quite busy. The altar boys were there too satisfied that their program for Easter was completed in full. In due course it was time to part and all went their way pleased taking with them a wonderful experience especially those attending for the first time.

22 MAR 2008 HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL PART 2

After singing of the Gloria, Mass carried on. Joseph Said read the Lessons and Mgr Eucharist Sultana read the extract from the Gospel followed by the homily by Mgr Archpriest. After the Homily, six men carried three drums filled with fresh water to be blessed by Mgr. Archpriest Carmelo Refalo. A big metal bowl at the foot of the Pascal Candle was filled with water and the three drums were then placed on one side in front of the Presbytery. In line with the ritual, Mgr Refalo dipped the bottom end of the Pascal Candle in the water for three times thereby sanctifying the water. He then sprinkled the congregation with the newly blessed water. Meantime, Noel and Maria Sabina Sultana were waiting with their two month old baby girl and her godparents Mario Sultana and Mrs. Mary Zammit to have therr daughter baptized (see Baptism page on this site). This was carried out by the Archpriest and baby Thea, Marita and Anna was greeted as the newest member of the Church community to the applause of all present while the Archpriest held her high for all to see. And she looked really like enjoying it with a big smile on her little face! The Third part of the liturgy started with the Prayers of the Faithful read by five young people. This was followed by Mass Offerings. Among those presenting them to the Archpriest were two couples, Attard, from Sydney Australia and Mr. Sultana from New York in the United States of America. Again as usual on this occasion, no corner in the Basilica was empty as the nave and both aisles were full of the faithful. Two large monitors in both aisles helped the congregation follow the proceedings.

22 MAR 08 HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL PART 1

Jesus dead and laid to rest, the Catholic World awaits His Resurrection, the most Solemn Day in the Liturgy, the mother of all feasts. Therefore, on the night of Holy Saturday, the faithful gather in the Churches and stand vigil waiting and watching the Lord rise again from the dead thus triumphing over death. On the parvis in front of the Basilica’s main door, on an evening with a light breeze, John Attard lit the New Fire. At 20:30 Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo accompanied by the Chapter and Clergy and two Indian Jesuit Fathers approached the fire and initiated the liturgy with the kindling of the Paschal Candle (Il-Blandun). The New Fire was blessed and the Pascal Candle lit from the New Fire bringing New Light to Life. After praying “May the Light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and mind”, he placed four marks forming a cross at the top of the Paschal Candle with the Alpha and the Omega , the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. Between the arms, four numbers denoted the year – 2008. Meantime all the faithful were waiting in darkness and silence inside the Basilica symbolizing the darkness inside the tomb where Jesus lay after being buried after His passion and death. The Archpriest then carried the Pascal Candle inside the Basilica. The congregation with candles in hand started lighting them from the Pascal Candle and those next to them. This light in the Basilica symbolized Christ rising with the light spreading to the world and coming into the midst of His people. Soon the church was candle lit. When the procession reached the High Altar and prayers were said, the candles were put out and a few electric lights switched on so that the congregation could follow the readings. Seven of the laity read seven Lessons from the Scripture each one followed by Psalm singing by different singers. The climax was reached when, after the seventh Reading, Mgr. Archpriest intoned the Gloria, announcing the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His victory over death. Bells in hand and those in the bell towers broke out their two day long silence as the artistic statue of the Risen Christ solemnly made its way up onto the High Altar from behind to applause from the congregation. The Voci Angeliche Choir directed by Ms. Grace Vella accompanied on the organ by its Musical Director, Mr. Ronald Camilleri, sang the Gloria while the Basilica came back glowing fully lit up. Concelebrating with the Archpriest were ten other priests among them Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra and the two Jesuit Fathers from India. Mrs. Grace Camilleri and Mr. Louis Bajada animated the service.

Randan 2008 Nazzarenu

22 MAR 08 LAST SUPPER RE ENACTED by Altar Boys

The Xaghra Parish altar boys will be very busy during the Easter Holidays. Besides organizing the Passion Procession on Palm Sunday similar to the one on Good Friday, they re-enacted the Last Supper at the Vocational Centre. The place itself is ideal with low arches and old stonework. It lasts only for seven minutes but gives a lot. Jesus with His disciples sitting on the floor looks sad. He blesses bread which He breaks up and hands to the disciples to eat. One of them hands pieces of bread to onlookers. This is followed by the scene taking place in the garden where Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Mary Magdalene arrives to find the huge stone which had closed the tomb moved aside and the tomb open. Looking inside she sees nothing but the linen which had shrouded the dead body of Jesus. She goes away to raise the alarm. John arrives with Peter and they confirm what Mary Magdalene had told them.

21 MAR 08 STATUES SEEN CLOSE UP

With the procession over, the sexton leads a group of volunteers in putting away the statues in their niches in preparation for Easter celebrations. As the statues were not on their pedestals we took close up pictures of them for your viewing. The beautiful flower decorations are taken away by villagers who make a contribution to the Church for the original expense. In the last photo a man is seen with one of them.

21 MAR 08 GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION inside Basilica

Many hundreds fill the Square and many more line the route of the procession on Good Friday, but nobody except those participating sees what takes place to prepare the procession from inside the Basilica. With the help of the attached pictures we try bringing this to you. To start with, those taking part have to prepare themselves early in the afternoon while the Adoration of the Cross is taking place in the Basilica starting at 3.00 p.m. This religious function, a highlight of the Liturgy on Good Friday is, as the Archpriest insists, not to be missed and should take priority over the Procession. Therefore, as usual a separate function was held in the chapel of the Youth Centre for those who needed to be ready by 5.00 p.m. Fr Noel Saliba conducted the function which started at 1.00 p.m. Photos courtesy Noel Camilleri.

21 MAR 08 GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION return to Basilica

The procession on Good Friday is the longest in Xaghra making it imperative that the route as well be the longest. In fact, after leaving Victory Square, it goes along 28 th April 1688 Street crossing St Anthony Square, St Joseph Street, Bullara Street and January Street before reaching back to Victory Square to enter the Basilica, a route approximately 1.5 km long. And that is also the length of the procession as within minutes of its rear leaving the Square, the front arrives back to start its return into the Basilica. Many people stay on and others arrive to watch procession when it will be more compact and more than one statue will be in the square. With a full moon lighting the sky, those present enjoyed the spectacle in spite of the biting cold at night. Many would return again on Easter Sunday afternoon to watch the Easter open air drama presentation followed by manifestation with the statue of the Risen Christ. For full report on the procession, please go to the relative page on this site.

21 MAR 08 GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION

Fears that the Good Friday procession/pageant will not take place because of bad weather subsided at sunrise. Showers were promised by the weather forecasters. Well they were proved right, since we had the wind, showers and thunder accompanying them but only on late Thursday and in the very early hours of Good Friday. When the afternoon Church Service – the Adoration of the Cross – ended, visitors starting filling Victory Square to watch the Pageant, which was to unfold before them. Dead on time, at 6.00 p.m., the procession started leaving the Basilica. Since this year was the earliest day in the calendar that Easter could fall on and considering it was still winter time, it was not long before the rest of the procession was coming out of the Basilica in the dark with floodlights having to be switched on. With twilight that evening, biting cold fell making it harder for those either taking part in the pageant, especially young children, or those watching it to follow. But they all defied the elements and took part or stayed on till the end. The organizers had compassion on them by minimizing the time the procession left the Basilica and the time it went round the town’s streets. Whereas normally the pageant took a little less than four hours, this time around it was all over in two and a half hours. On the other hand this made it difficult for commentators to keep pace with the script while the statue bearers and those carrying crosses and chains had very little and shorter pauses allowing to rest on the way. Hundreds took part in the pageant, including two bands, Precursor Band of Xewkija and Victory Band of Xaghra, playing funereal marches. Many young and old people took part representing personalities from the Old Testament and others who were involved in the passion of Jesus. Ten statues depicting various stages in the Passion of the Lord were carried. Eight were made in Lecce, Italy, in 1914; Judas betraying Jesus was made by Prof Bruno in 1964; Jesus meets His Mother Mary and disciple John is the work of the renowned Gozitan artist Michael Camilleri Cauchi. Fifteen persons carrying crosses and thirty six toiling their way with heavy chains tied to their ankles also took part. All were hooded as they did it either to fulfill vows or as an act of thanksgiving to the Lord. Preceding Jesus lying dead in the tomb were the Chapter, Clergy and Piccolo Clero. Behind the statue walked the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. The last statue, Our Lady of Sorrows was followed in devotion by the faithful reciting the rosary, some of them barefooted as an act of penance. More than a show of pageantry, the procession was meant to be a moment of spiritual feeling and reflection for those who took part in it or watched it. They way it was conducted with a running live commentary could not but reach its noble aims. The behaviour of the spectators bore witness that this was reached.

21 MAR 08 ADORATION OF THE CROSS

Before Christ’s crucifixion, the cross was a symbol of desperation and an object to be detested. After Jesus died on it, the Cross became a symbol of hope and salvation. It was an object to be revered, and so on Good Friday, a service is held during which the Adoration of the Cross takes place in all Catholic Churches. This normally takes place some time during which Christ was in agony. In Xaghra the Archpriest was the one to conduct the Liturgical Action. The Solemn Reading of the Passion of Christ was undertaken by Mgr Archpriest, Canon Anthony Refalo and Canon John Sultana. Adoration of the Cross followed afterwards. Meantime the veiled Cross lay behind the front door of the Basilica. The Buhagiar family was chosen to carry the Cross up the nave. The Archpriest accompanied them and in three stages he unveiled the figure of Christ crucified and each time intoning the verse: “Behold the Wood of the Cross”. Each time the Clergy replied singing aloud “On which hung the Saviour of the World.” The faithful then joined the Voci Angeliche Choir and Clergy in singing aloud “Come Let us adore”. When they arrived in front of the presbytery they handed the Cross to the Archpriest who turned to the congregation holding the Cross high up fully unveiled. Putting it down on the presbytery two altar boys were entrusted to hold it upright one on each side. Archpriest and Clergy then went in procession towards the Cross kneeling down and kissing the Cross. All the faithful followed suit. Animator was Louis Bajada with the Curmi couple, Peter and Maria, introducing the prayers. The Choir Voci Angeliche was directed by Grace Vella with its musical director Ronald Camilleri accompanying on the organ. During the time it took all the faithful to go up and kiss the Cross, John Cassar and Raymond Bonello playing guitars alternating with the Choir sang hymns related to the Adoration of the Cross. The service ended with Holy Communion.

20 MAR 08 ALTARS OF REPOSE

We bring to you several Altars of Repose in Xaghra and nearby – Xaghra, St.Anthony the Abbot and Gesu Nazzarenu both in Xaghra; Tal-Karmnu; Xewkija; Sannat; Munxar; Fontana; Victoria S Wistin..

20 MAR 08 MAUNDY THURSDAY

This day, commemorating the Last Supper on the eve of His passion and death, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist. Maundy Thursday is the Day dedicated to the Priesthood. It was on this day that Jesus appointed the first priests of the Church with the power to change bread into his Body and wine into His Sacred Blood when he told the gathered Apostles and gave them the mandate “Do this in Memory of me”. Xaghra joined the Universal Church in this commemoration. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo was the principal celebrant during Concelebrated Solemn Mass. Before it got off to a start, a married couple whose son will be baptized during the Easter Celebration, a lady who looks after the sick and two young people who will be receiving the Sacranent of Confirmation this year went up to the Archpriest with the Holy Oils which had been sanctified earlier in the day by Bishop Grech at the Gozo Cathedral. They presented him with the Oil of Baptism, the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Confirmation respectively. Mgr Refalo then placed the Oils on the High Altar for the duration of Mass. The Lessons were read by Mary Muscat, a member of the Spigolatrici della Chiesa, who consecrated her life to God. Altar boy Mario Curmi sang the Psalms while another altar boy, Joseph Hili, read the Second Lesson. Mgr Eucharist Sultana, Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra read the Gospel. After his homily, Archpriest Refalo washed the feet of twelve men representing the twelve Apostles. This is a re-enactment of what took place in the Cenacle when Jesus put on an apron and washed the feet of the disciples thereby showing that He came to serve and not to be served. Jesus wanted the apostles to do to others what he had done to them with a message that the priest was to be the servant of God and His people. When Prayers of the Faithful were read, four priests went down among the congregation collecting money which will go into a fund at the Curia to be used to help priests in need. The Mass Offers were made by six persons including the parents of Can. Joseph Sultana, Rita and Loreto Sultana. Mass was animated by Louis Bajada, Joe Bartolo and Ms Sciberras. The singing was animated by the Choir ‘Voci Angeliche’ under the direction of Mrs Grace Vella with the Choir’s Musical Director Ronald Camilleri at the organ. The ceremony ended with the Blessed Sacrament transferred in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose where it was to stay until the Adoration of The Cross ceremony on Good Friday. Immediately, the faithful started making the Seven Visits to the Altar of Repose. First to start in Xaghra was organized by the Committee of the Victory band Club for its members conducted by the Society’s Spiritual Director Canon Julian Refalo Rapa.

18 MAR 08 WAY OF THE CROSS ON GHAMMAR HILL

Going along the pathway up Ghammar Hill, in front of the National Shrine of Ta’ Pinu, one comes across the Way of The Cross with life size marble statues. From the street below it leads right up to the top of the hill. An annual event for one of the Eucharistic Communities of Xaghra, the one under the spiritual guidance of Fr Alex Refalo, is conducting the Via Crucis there. Leading the Community this year was Fr Noel Saliba who takes over from Fr Alex as the latter is presently in charge of the Parish of Fontana. General comments obtained from the members are that they feel it is quite a new experience every year. The feeling that one is in a way above the noise and the hustle and bustle in the streets below makes the spirit feel higher up and nearer to God. It is an excellent way to join in a moment of prayer and meditation in unity. The singing was animated by two members of the Community, the couple Joe and Rose Bartolo playing guitars. Photos courtesy Noel Camilleri

18 MAR 08 REPLICA OF WAY OF THE CROSS IN VICTORY SQUARE

The thousands who visit Xaghra this year to watch the renowned Good Friday Procession will find themselves surrounded by the twelve Stations of the Cross, The Via Crucis, hanging around Victory Square. These are a replica of the Way of the Cross inside the Basilica. The cost of each station is €70.00 and anyone interested in sponsoring one is kindly asked to contact the archpriest or make use of our email address. More than having the satisfaction of assisting in embellishing the main Square every year, the benefactor will be giving an opportunity to visitors to the town to meditate on the passion of the Saviour of Mankind.

16 MAR 08 CHILDREN`S PASSION PAGEANT

Once again Xaghra children were in the forefront commemorating the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday, 16 March 2008. The Vocational Centre recruited many children below the age of thirteen and as young as two to put up their annual pageant. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo introduced the event. He praised and thanked those in charge for their efforts in its production. The pageant started leaving the Basilica at 6.00 p.m. sharp. While a running live commentary was going on, recorded funeral marches by the Victory Band were played. The children were marvelous in behaving in an orderly and serious manner. Everything went smoothly except for the odd toddler waving to his mother on seeing her or even running to her to show off his long robe or tripping over it! It took them one hour to do it on a quite cold night along Shaft Street, Bullara Street and Church Street. But, all those who started it, were still there to return to the Basilica although some could be noticed making it wearily up the steps to the parvis. Once more, Peter’s two very tame horses were there carrying two soldiers making it reach a standard equivalent to the renowned senior Pageant to be held the following Friday, Good Friday.

16 MAR 08 PALM SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE

Under a clear blue sky and a bright sun Palm Sunday was celebrated with the ceremony of the blessing of palm and olive branches followed by concelebrated Mass. At 9.15 a.m. the Collegiate Chapter and Clergy left the Basilica in procession with Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo carrying the statue of Christ Crucified. Choristers, accompanied by many girls playing guitars, sang hymns on the way. Passing through Shaft Street and Bullara Street the procession came to a halt at the crossroads in Church Street. Waiting there was a sizeable crowd of faithful with children clad in Jewish robes typical of the time of Jesus. Following the reading of extracts from the Bible, Archpriest Refalo blessed the palm and olive branches happily waving them high up by young and old. The procession then continued up Church Street to the Basilica again with the choir and guitarists singing hymns. Since the World Day of Youth was being celebrated that day, young people were invited and fully participated taking a prime role in the ceremonies. Mass followed with Mgr Refalo being the main celebrant. Concelebrating with him were Archpriest Emeritus of Xaghra, Mgr Eucharist Sultana, and Canons Angelo Bartolo, Anthony Refalo Zammit, George Farrugia, Joseph Sultana, Julian Refalo Rapa and John Sultana. Youths animated Mass while the young Voci Angeliche directed by Mrs Grace Vella animated the singing. The music was provided by a quartet made up of Raymond Bonello, Richard Grech and Paul Tabone led by John Cassar. The Basilica was packed with the congregation filling the nave and aisles. The Congregation in the in the aisles could follow thanks to monitors placed in each of the two. Youths were conspicuous with them reading Lessons, Prayers of the Faithful and making the Offerings. Besides, all this year’s candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation, Form I students, each presented envelopes containing a declaration of their Faith in God to Mgr Refalo. After Mass, the faithful were presented with palm crosses and olive leaves fixed to a memento quoting a verse from Psalm 21 “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

14 MAR 08 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

In perfect spring like weather, the traditional procession of Our Lady of Sorrows, was held in Xaghra on Friday 14 March 2008, the earliest date on which it could take place. This procession is held in many towns and villages all over the Maltese islands and Xaghra was one of them. Here too, one finds deep rooted devotion to the Sorrowing Mother and the feast is celebrated with the utmost religiosity. The artistic statue of Our Lady is carried along the main streets of the town with a large crowd of parishioners young and old congregated following the procession which left the Basilica at 6.00 p.m. The statue was stopped at the beginning of the parvis, while the local “Victory” Band, directed by Mro Joseph Galea L.C.M., played the Hymn dedicated to it. It then marched along the route in front of the statue playing funereal marches adding to the solemnity of the occasion. The chapter and clergy of the Basilica followed behind the statue with the Archpriest, Mgr. Carmelo Refalo carrying the reliquary of Our Lady. The many hundreds of faithful followed reciting the Rosary which was being relayed on public address system and singing hymns for the occasion. The procession passed through 8th September Avenue, Maria Bambina, Windmill, Imqades, and Frangisk Camilleri Streets returning to the Basilica at 7.00 p.m. Mass was then celebrated with Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo being the main celebrant. Concelebrating with him were Mgr Carmelo Hili, Can. Anthony Refalo Zammit, Can John Bartolo, Can George Farrugia, Can. Julian Refalo Rapa, Can. Joseph Sultana, Fr Joseph Bajada and Fr. Jesmond Gauci. The Choir Voci Angeliche of the Parish directed by Ms Grace Vella animated the singing accompanied by young Mario Curmi playing the organ. Mr Joseph Refalo led the congregation by animating Mass.