Starting today, Thursday the 22nd of January, through Sunday the 25th of January 2009, special festivities are being celebrated in Marsalforn Gozo commemorating the 2000th anniversary of Saint Paul’s Birth.

The Rector of Marsalforn, Rev. Can. Michael Borg, in close collaboration with the Cultural Committee within the Gozo Ministry, Xaghra Local Council and Zebbug Local Council, prepared a programme of celebrations which are due to commemorate the Pauline year, inaugurated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in June 2008.

On Thursday the 15th of January, the community of Marsalforn started the ‘festa’ preparations by the traditional “Novena” – nine days of spiritual preparation preceding the feast day. During this week, the programme of activities is as follows:

Thursday 22nd January 2009: Feast of Saint Publius, the first bishop of Malta.
5.30pm: Solemn Vespers.
6.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Saviour Debrincat. Homily of the second day of Triduum by Honorary Canon Joseph Sultana.

Friday 23rd January 2009:
5.30pm: Solemn Vespers.
6.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Carmelo Gauci, Archpriest of the Visitation Collegiate-Basilica in G]arb. Homily of the third and last day of Triduum by Honorary Canon Joseph Sultana.
During the Solemn Triduum, the Nativitas Choir belonging to the Victory Philarmonic Band of Xaghra will participate. The choir will be under the direction of Mrs. Silvana Agius and Assistant Director and organist Ivan Attard.
7.15pm: Official inauguration of the national manifestation based on the theme “FAITH – ART – CULTURE” organised by the Cultural Committee within the Ministry of Gozo. CHOIR RECITAL at the Church of Saint Paul in Marsalforn. The Chorus Urbanus will perform under the direction of Mro. John Galea.

Saturday 24th January 2009: Eve of the Feast.
5.30pm: Solemn Translation of the Relic led by Rev. Can. Rueben Micallef, Archpriest of the Assumption Parish (Zebbug Gozo).
6.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Rev. Can. Rueben Micallef together with the parish presbyterium of Zebbug. The choirs Santa Maria and Regina Angelorum of Zebbug will participate under the direction of Mrs. Maria Cefai.
7.15pm: National Manifestation of the Pauline Year – Triumphant band marches along the main streets of Marsalforn by the Santa Marija Band of Zebbug (A.D. 1995). The evening closes by a vocal and instrumental musical programme performed by the same band under the direction of Mro. Joseph Grech in Mungbell Street. This activity is sponsored by the Zebbug Local Council.

Sunday 25th January 2009: Solemnity of the Conversion of the Apostle Saint Paul.
8.00am: Holy Mass.
10.00am: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by H.E. Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of the Gozitan Diocese, with the participation of the local choir Schola Cantorum Jubilate under the direction of Ms. Marouska Attard.
11.00am: Solemn Mass presided by Can. Michael Borg, Rector of Marsalforn, with the participation of the Xaghra Parish choir Voci Angeliche under the direction of Mrs. Grace Vella.
4.00pm: Solemn Vespers presided by Mgr Carmelo Refalo, Apostolic Protonotary, together with the Most Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Xaghra Collegiate-Basilica.
4.30pm: Solemn Procession with the titular statue of Saint Paul (1924), a work of art by Agostino Camilleri Cauchi, with the participation of the Victory Band of Xaghra (A.D. 1898) under the direction of Mro. Joseph Galea LCM. The procession is led by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo together with the Chapter and Clergy of Xaghra Parish. This activity is sponsored by the Xaghra Local Council.
6.00pm: Solemn Pontifical High Mass presided by H.E. Mgr Mario Grech, Diocesan Bishop. The orchestra invited to take part in this mass will be under the direction of Mro. Colin Attard.

The Rector of Marsalforn, Rev. Can Michael Borg, invites everyone to attend for these national celebrations in honour of Saint Paul.