The Chapter of the Collegiate Church of Marija Bambina in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council will remember and give tribute to the fallen of the Two Sieges of Malta with a religious, cultural and commemorative ceremony on Sunday, the 7th of September 2008.

At 8.00 a.m. Solemn Lauds will be sung in the Basilica. At 8.30am, Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci, Vicar General of the Gozo Diocese, will celebrate a solemn High Mass with the participation of the Most Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Collegiate-Basilica. Schola Cantorum Jubilate will animate singing with polyphony. This will be followed by the Remembrance Ceremony under the distinguished patronage of the Minister For Gozo, the Hon. Mrs Giovanna Debono,in Victory Square.

Approaching Victory Square from 8th September Avenue, the Scout Group will be the first to enter with their band. They are followed by the Captain of the Order of St John accompanied by some Knights and Maltese soldiers. Going round the Square, he reads out various proclamations by Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette. One states that following the victory of the Knights and the Maltese over the invading army after a five month long siege in 1565, the Grand Master declared that the 8th Day of September was to be remembered every year as the day of victory. Another states that the Day was to be dedicated to Our Lady of Victory.

Xaghra Mayor, Mr Joseph Cordina, will deliver a short message. This will be followed by the recital of several poems touching on the events which were being commemorated. Mr. Joseph Rapa, hailing from Xaghra, will deliver a commemorative message on the course of events. The ceremony comes to an end at about 11.15am with the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Siege Monument.

Invited for this occasion are several members of the House of Representatives, the Most Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Collegiate-Basilica, Xaghra Mayor Joe Cordina and councillors and other distinguished guests. The public in-general is invited to attend to give thanks to God for the victories of our island with the intercession of Maria Bambina.