During the night between Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th December 2008, the Catholic Church celebrates with a great solemnity The Nativity of Our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. The traditional “Midnight Mass” is celebrated in every parish church around the island and around the Catholic World.

At Ta’ Pinu Basilica, the whole event starts on Wednesday, at around 11pm, with a carol singing service. At around 11.30pm, His Excellency Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of the Gozitan Diocese, will preside over a Pontifical Solemn Concelebrated Mass which includes the singing of Christmas Matins (Psalms) and the traditional Christmas sermon. During this event, the choir Nativitas, belonging to the Victory Philarmonic Band (A.D. 1898) of Xaghra, will be participating. It is interesting that this choir is preparing to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its foundation. This choir was founded in June 1999 with the initiative of the then President Mr. Michael Cini and Rev. Michael Curmi. At present, the choir is being directed by Mrs. Silvana Agius and Mr. Ivan Attard.

Mrs. Silvana Agius studied piano performance under the guidance of Sr. Annunziatina Darmanin. She is also a mezzo-soprano and occupies the post of a teacher in a local school. She also teaches piano during her free time. At present, she is studying harmony under the guidance of Mro. Joseph Grech.

Mr. Ivan Attard studied piano performance under the guidance of Sr. Annunziatina Darmanin and later under the tuition of Sr. Giovanna Francesca Curmi. He obtained Grade 8 with Merit in Solo Piano Performance and Theory of Music (Trinity College of London). At present, he is one of the main organists at the Xaghra Collegiate-Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady and at the National Shrine of Our Lady Ta’ Pinu. He is also studying to obtain an ATCL Diploma in Piano Performance under the tuition of renowned Sr. Cecilia Vella and an AMus.TCL Diploma in theory of Music (history of music, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, composition) under the guidance of Mro. Joseph Grech. At present, he occupies the post of Executive Officer at the Xaghra Local Council. In January 2009, he is due to start teaching piano to a small group of students.

During this event, the Messa Cantate Domino (Giuseppe Oltrasi) will be executed together with the renowned Sinfonia Pastorale by Mro. Emmanuele Galea. Fr. Gerard Buhagiar, Rector of the Sanctuary, and Fr. Michael Galea, Vice-Rector, invite everyone to attend for this memorable event commemorating the Birth of Our Lord. Happy Christmas to you all!