As is the tradition in the locality of Xaghra, the first Sunday of May is dedicated to the secondary feast of Saint Joseph.

The Xaghra Parish administration said it would like to invite everyone to attend this feast which is increasing in its popularity year after year.

The programme of activities for the feast will be as follows:

Tuesday 28th April 2009: Commemoration of the 321st Anniversary of the Xaghra Parish Foundation.

7.00pm: Solemn Thanksgiving Mass presided by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo. This mass will be animated by the Voci Angeliche Choir and it is being organised in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council.

Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th April: First and Second Day of Triduum in honour of Saint Joseph.

6.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

7.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Can. John Sultana (Rector of Saint Anthony the Abbot Church) and Can. Anthony Refalo Rapa (Rector of Nazzarenu Church) respectively. The choirs Nativitas belonging to the Victory Philharmonic Society and Santa Klara will animate the liturgy respectively. Homily by Rev. Can. Mario Borg.

The celebration ends up with the recitation of the traditional ‘Kurunella’, Antiphon Exsurgens Josef and Solemn Benediction.

Friday 1st May: Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker and Third Day of Triduum.

6.30pm: Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

7.00pm: Solemn Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr. Archpriest Carmelo Refalo together with the Most Reverend Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica. The blessing of tools will be held during the offertory. The mass will be animated by the parish choir Voci Angeliche. Homily by Rev. Can. Mario Borg.

The celebration ends up with the recitation of the traditional ‘Kurunella’, Antiphon Exsurgens Josef and Solemn Benediction.

Saturday 2nd May: Eve of the Feast.

5.00pm: Mass with homily.

6.15pm: Solemn Chanting of First Vespers by the Most Reverend Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica presided by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo.

7.00pm: Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by H.E. Mgr. Mario Grech, Diocesan Bishop together with the Most Reverend Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica. The altar boys’ choir animates the liturgy.

The celebration ends up with the recitation of the traditional ‘Kurunella’, Antiphon Exsurgens Josef and Solemn Benediction.

Sunday 3rd May: Feast of Saint Joseph, co-patron of Xaghra Parish.

Masses celebrated in the Basilica: 5am, 6am, 7am, 8.30am (Conventual), 9.45am.

11.00am: Mass for all Xaghra Youths in the Basilica. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate animates mass.

4.15pm: Solemn Celebration of Second Vespers by the Most Reverend Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica presided by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo.

5.00pm: Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by H.E. Mgr. Nicholas J. Cauchi, Bishop Emeritus of Gozo together with the Most Reverend Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica. The Missa San Antonio (written by the late Mro. Nazzareno Refalo) will be performed. The orchestra will be under the baton of Mr. Ronald Camilleri.

7.00pm: Procession with the artistic statue of St. Joseph (Gallard et Fils, 1879) led by Mgr Archpriest Carmelo Refalo, Apostolic Protonotary. The Victory Band of Xaghra (A.D. 1898) together with the Nativitas Choir (A.D. 1999) give salute to Saint Joseph with the popular hymn “Lil San {u\epp”, composed by Mro. Michael Farrugia. The same Philarmonic Society accompanies the procession with religious band marches.

On its re-entry in the Basilica, the feast closes with the singing of the Antiphon Exsurgens Josef and Solemn Eucharistic Benediction.