GOZO CELEBRATES ITS MAIN FEAST IN HONOUR OF ITS GLORIOUS PROTECTOR ST GEORGE MEGALOMARTYR PATRON SAINT OF THE DIOCESE AND OF THE CITY OF VICTORIA AND TITULAR OF THE BASILICA AND COLLEGIATE LATERANENSIS IN URBE ANNUS FIDEI (2012-2103) 12 June ~ 21 July 2013 The Victoria International Arts Festival 16th Edition This Festival, intrinsically linked with St George s Feast, was conceived in 1998 as a high cultural initiative which enhances the traditional concept of the Maltese and Gozitan festa. Anyone can attend for free. See the full programme of this sixteenth edition of the festival on www.viaf.org.mt. THURSDAY 13 JUNE The fifth Thursday of devotion in honour of St George 6.00pm: Holy Mass with sermon by Can. John Sultana. THURSDAY 20 JUNE The sixth Thursday of devotion in honour of St George 6.00pm: Mass with sermon by Can. John Sultana. MONDAY 24 JUNE Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist 9.00am: Conventual Concelebration presided by Archpriest Mgr Pawlu Cardona, with the participation of the Basilica s Schola Cantorum Gregoriana. THURSDAY 27 JUNE The seventh Thursday of devotion in honour of St George 6.00pm: Mass with sermon by Can. John Sultana. SATURDAY 29 JUNE Solemnity of the Apostles St Peter and St Paul 9.00am: Conventual Concelebration presided by Archpriest Mgr Pawlu Cardona, with the participation of the Basilica s Schola Cantorum Gregoriana. TUESDAY 2 JULY 6.00pm: Mass by Mgr Emanuel Curmi for the disabled. Afterwards, a party organised for them by the Ladies Society at the Parish House.
THURSDAY 4 JULY The eighth Thursday of devotion in honour of St George 6.00pm: Mass with sermon by Rev. Peter Paul Cachia OSA. THE NOVENA OF ST GEORGE The Novena is a series of nine days of spiritual preparation that lead up to the Festa week, especially aimed at all the children and families of the parish. Masses this year are presided by Can. Tonio Galea, with the participation of the Parish Guitarists Group. The liturgy includes symbolic, dramatic and audio-visual representations helping children to grasp the meaning of the theme of this year s Novena: Discovering the beauty of our faith together with St George. During the days of the Novena a Generosity Campaign is also held and at the end tokens are given to the children who attend. SATURDAY 6 JULY First day of Novena 6.00pm: Meeting for parents of parish couples preparing for marriage, by Rev. Anton Teuma, the Bishop s Delegate for Pastoral Ministry with Families, at the Parish Centre. 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, son of the Father. SUNDAY 7 JULY Second day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, marked by Baptism. MONDAY 8 JULY Third day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, friend of Jesus Christ. TUESDAY 9 JULY Fourth day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, messenger of the Gospel. WEDNESDAY 10 JULY Fifth day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, lover of the Eucharist. THURSDAY 11 JULY Sixth day of Novena The ninth and last Thursday of devotion in honour of St George 10.30am: Mass for the sick and elderly by novel priest Rev. Gabriel Gauci, with the participation of the members and volunteers of the Sovereign Order of St John of Malta, in which the holy sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered. Mass is followed by a Tombola Get-Together organised by the Ladies Society at the Parish House. 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, servant of the Church. FRIDAY 12 JULY Seventh day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, faithful witness of the Holy Spirit. 8.30pm: Il-Qirew L-Ikla Tradizzjonali tal-festa at St George s Square, organised by the La Stella Philharmonic Society. SATURDAY 13 JULY Eighth day of Novena 7.00pm: Novena Mass with the theme St George, mighty protector and intercessor.
SUNDAY 14 JULY Ninth and last day of Novena 10.00am: Mass for parish couples preparing for marriage, led by Rev. Anton Teuma, the Bishop s Delegate for Pastoral Ministry with Families. 6.00pm: Novena Mass by Archpriest Mgr Pawlu Cardona which brings to conclusion the Novena of St George. 7.30pm: Party for children and their families at St George s Square. There will be no 7.00pm Mass in the Basilica. MONDAY 15 JULY 7.30pm: Traditional Horse Races along Republic Street with the participation of horses and ponies from all over the Maltese islands. At the end, winners are awarded with trophies. 8.00pm: Grand Choral and Orchestral Concert with the participation of the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Laudate Pueri Choir of the Basilica, treble Nathan Schembri Rodgers, soprano Gillian Zammit, alto Claire Massa, tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens, and bass Nicholas Warden (Malta/UK), under the direction of Prof. Joseph Vella (1942- ), maestro di cappella of the Basilica and artistic director of the VIAF. TUESDAY 16 JULY 5.30pm: Mass by Archpriest Mgr Pawlu Cardona at the Good Shepherd Chapel, Taċ-Ċawla. 6.30pm: The La Stella Philharmonic Band plays band marches from Taċ-Ċawla to St George s Square. 8.00pm: Traditional and popular manifestation as the statue of St George, a masterpiece of Pietro Paolo Azzopardi and the first titular statue of Gozo (1839), is led out of its niche. A special collection for the Festa takes place. 9.00pm: Ċelebrazzjoni ta Xhieda Kristjana, organised by the 23four>> Parish Youth Group, which includes moments of prayer, reflection and song led by deacon Daniel J. Sultana. 9.30pm: The Ite ad Joseph Band (Qala) plays marches along Republic Street to St George s Square, where a demonstration starts with the statue of St George (Austin Camilleri, 1991), along the streets that surround the Basilica. WEDNESDAY 17 JULY FIRST DAY OF THE SOLEMN TRIDUUM 6.00pm: Last Mass for the day. 6.30pm: Celebration of Solemn Vespers with the participation of the Collegiate Chapter and the parish community, presided by Mgr George Grima. Sermon by Rev. Roberto Gauci. Hymn, Antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction presided by Hon. Can. Karm Curmi. The Basilica Choir Laudate Pueri and the Schola Cantorum Gregoriana sings a cappella under the direction of Can. George J. Frendo. The hymn Georgi Miles Inclite (1878) for soloists, choir a 3 voci pari and orchestra, composed by renowned Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia (1852-1925), is executed during the three days of solemn Triduum. The hymn is followed by the antiphon Beatus Georgius (pre-1890), written by St Peter Damian (1007-1072) and composed by Mro Paolo Fiammingo (19th century). Tenor Antonino Interisano and bass Dario Russo take part. Choir and orchestra are led by Mro Joseph Vella, maestro di cappella. 9.30pm: The La Stella and Santa Margerita (Ta Sannat) Bands play marches, starting from Għajn Qatet Street and Bishop Pace Street respectively and ending at St Francis s Square. 10.00pm: Popular demonstration with the equestrian statue of St George (Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, 1987), from St Francis s Square to St George s Square, with the participation of the two bands. The La Stella Band will launch in public its new set of festive band marches. THURSDAY 18 JULY SECOND DAY OF THE SOLEMN TRIDUUM 9.00am: Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Carmelo Scicluna, Treasurer of the Collegiate Chapter, with the participation of the Chapter and the clergy, for the repose of souls of priests who offered their service and worked in our parish. 6.00pm: Last Mass for the day. 6.30pm: Celebration of Solemn Vespers with the participation of the Collegiate Chapter together with the parish community, presided by Mgr Felix Tabone, Parish Vicar. Sermon by Rev. Roberto Gauci. Hymn, Antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction presided by Can. Emanuel Buttigieg.
9.30pm: Grand Demonstration with the statue of St George Patron of Gozo (Michael Camilleri Cauchi, 2008), from St George s Square to Savina Square, with the participation of the La Stella and Santa Marija (Żebbuġ) Bands. An audio-visual presentation on St George is shown at Savina Square. FRIDAY 19 JULY THIRD DAY OF THE SOLEMN TRIDUUM 9.00am: Concelebrated Mass presided by Mgr Dr Joseph Farrugia, Archpriest Emeritus, with the participation of the Chapter and clergy, with special prayers for the souls of all the parish members who passed away during the past year. 6.00pm: Last Mass for the day. 6.30pm: Celebration of Solemn Vespers presided by Can. Joseph A. Borg, with the participation of the Collegiate Chapter and the parish community. Sermon by Rev. Roberto Gauci. Hymn, Antiphon and Eucharistic Benediction presided by Can. George DeBrincat. 9.15pm: At St George s Square, the La Stella Band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Vella, executes the hymn Su Garzoni (Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia). 9.30pm: Grand Demonstration with the statue of St George Victorious, a masterpiece of Vincenzo Maria Cremona and the first statue in Gozo for external festivities (1894), along the main streets of Victoria. The La Stella and Prekursur (Xewkija) Bands take part. SATURDAY 20 JULY CONCLUSION OF THE SOLEMN TRIDUUM 10.00am: Pontifical Concelebration presided by H.L. Mgr Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Malta, with the participation of the Collegiate Chapter and clergy of the Basilica, concluding with the solemn singing of the Te Deum hymn. 11.00am: Band marches by the La Stella Band, from St George s Square to the La Stella headquarters at Republic Street. VIGIL OF THE SOLEMNITY 5.00pm: Vigil Mass. 6.00pm: The La Stella Band marches from Republic Street to St George s Square where it welcomes H.L. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, who arrives at the square from the Bishop s Palace in Republic Street, accompanied by the Collegiate Chapter and the clergy of the Basilica. 6.30pm: SOLEMN TRANSLATION AND PONTIFICAL CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST VESPERS OF THE SOLEMNITY, PRESIDED BY H.L. MGR MARIO GRECH, BISHOP OF GOZO AND DEAN OF THE COLLEGIATE, ASSISTED BY A DELEGATION OF THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER AND THE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER IN URBE, AND WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE SACRED, MILITARY AND CONSTANTINIAN ORDER OF ST GEORGE. 7.45pm: Eucharistic Benediction celebrated by Mgr Joseph Farrugia, Archpriest Emeritus of the Basilica, President of the Commission The Church in Malta and in Europe of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, and Diocesan Delegate for Culture. The Vespri per la Solennità di San Giorgio Martire (Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia, 1900) for soloists, choir a 4 voci pari and orchestra is performed. The two antiphons Beatus Georgius, composed by Mro Paolo Fiammingo (pre-1890) and Mgr Farrugia (1897), together with the Tantum Ergo in onore di San Giorgio Martire (Mgr Farrugia, 1901), are also performed. 8.00pm: Musical programme at St George s Square executed by King s Own Band (Valletta), under the direction of Mro Dr John Galea. 9.30pm: At St George s Square, the La Stella Band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Vella, executes the immortal hymn A San Giorgio Martire (Prof. Luigi Billion Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella). 10.00pm: The La Stella and King s Own (Valletta) Bands participate as a massed band in the triumphal and unique march along Republic Street. SUNDAY 21 JULY SOLEMNITY OF ST GEORGE 7.45am: The Ite ad Joseph Band (Qala) marches from Republic Street to St George s Square. 8.00am: The Collegiate Chapter and clergy of the Basilica accompany H.L. Mgr Mario Grech from the Bishop s Palace at Republic Street to the Basilica. Celebration of Terce at the Major Sacristy of the Basilica. 8.20am: Arrival of Dr George Abela, President of Malta. 8.30am: PONTIFICAL CONCELEBRATION PRESIDED BY H.L. MGR MARIO GRECH, BISHOP OF GOZO AND DEAN OF THE COLLEGIATE, ASSISTED BY A DELEGATION OF THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER, THE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER, THE CLERGY OF THE URBAN BASILICA, AND MEMBERS
OF THE SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS CLERGY. THE BISHOP DELIVERS A HOMILY WITH WORDS OF PRAISE AND GLORY TO ST GEORGE, PATRON OF THE DIOCESE. DR GEORGE ABELA, PRESIDENT OF MALTA, HEADS THE CONGREGATION. The Mass in D in honour of St George Princeps Martyrum (Joseph Vella, 1976) for soloists, choir a 4 voci dispari and orchestra are executed. Soloists Miriam Cauchi (soprano), Antonino Interisano (tenor) and Dario Russo (bass), and the Laudate Pueri Choir of the Basilica take part. 11.00am: The San Ġorġ (Ħal Qormi) and Santa Margerita (Ta Sannat) Bands lead the popular band march at the heart of Victoria. 5.00pm: Last Mass for the day, celebrated by Mgr Ġużeppi Attard, Archpriest of the Cathedral parish. 6.00pm: Pontifical Celebration of the Second Vespers of the Solemnity, presided by His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East of the Syrians. It-Tieni Vespri tas-solennità ta San Ġorġ, composed by Prof. Joseph Vella, will be performed by the Laudate Pueri Choir. 6.15pm: The La Stella Band marches from Republic Street to St George s Square. 7.00pm: The La Stella Band of Victoria hails the appearance of the statue of the diocese s Heavenly Protector at the bronze portals of the parish of Gozo, with the religious hymn Georgius natus est (Can. Joe Mejlak Prof. Joseph Vella). 7.15pm: The Gozitans present in the square join the La Stella Band in saluting their Patron Saint with the execution of the immortal hymn A San Giorgio Martire (Prof. Luigi Billion Mro Giuseppe Giardini Vella), with the participation of tenor Antonino Interisano (Italy), bass Dario Russo (Italy) and the Choir of the Philharmonic Society. The La Stella Band of Victoria, the first band to be set up in Gozo (1863), was also the first band in Gozo to salute its patron saint with an immortal hymn in 1931. This tradition was copied by all parishes in Gozo. 7.30pm: PONTIFICAL PROCESSION ALONG THE MAIN STREETS OF THE CITY, LED BY HIS BEATITUDE IGNATIUS YOUSSEF III YOUNAN, CATHOLIC PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST OF THE SYRIANS, WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER, THE CLERGY OF THE URBAN BASILICA, MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS OF VICTORIA, SEMINARIANS OF THE DIOCESE AND THE CONFRATERNITIES OF THE PARISH. THE LA STELLA BAND ACCOMPANIES THE PROCESSION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF RELIGIOUS HYMNS. 8.00pm: Band march by the San Ġużepp Band (Għajnsielem), from St Francis Square to Independence Square, followed by a musical programme at the square by the same band, under the direction of Mro Sunny Galea. 8.15pm: Band march by the Mnarja (Nadur) Band, from St Francis Square to St George s Square, followed by a musical programme at the square by the same band, under the direction of Mro Joseph Grech. 10.00pm: The Maltese and Gozitan crowds present in Victoria greet the statue of St George at the square as the procession arrives at the Basilica, with the singing of the most popular hymn of Gozo Lill-Kbir Martri San Ġorġ (Rev. Accursio Xerri OFM Mro Vincenzo Ciappara). 10.30pm: Triumphal entrance of the statue of St George at the Basilica, followed by the execution of the popular Antiphon Beatus Georgius and Eucharistic Benediction, celebrated by Archpriest Mgr Pawlu Cardona as a conclusion to Gozo s main feast in honour of its Patron, St George. MASS AND CONFESSION AT THE BASILICA If we want to celebrate a befitting feast to our Patron Saint, we should make an effort and encourage each other to participate at the daily Mass and to receive forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the days leading up to the Feast of St George. Confession and Holy Communion are essential. The Sacrament of Confession is available as usual during any day of the Feast, however you are kindly requested to seek Confession early on and preferably not during functions. Mass during the Feast day will be as follows: Mornings: 4.00, 5.00, 6.00, 6.30, 7.00, 7.30 (Basilica), 8.00 (Parish Centre), 8.30 (Basilica), 10.00 (Parish Centre), 11.00 and 12.00 (Basilica). Evenings: 4.00 and 5.00 (Basilica). MASS AT HOME FOR THE SICK AND ELDERLY Between Monday 8 and Saturday 13 July 2013, priests from our parish will be available to celebrate Mass and to administer the Sacraments of Reconciliation and of the Anointment of the Sick at the homes of the sick and the elderly of the parish. Those who would like a priest to visit their home should contact the Parish Office (21 556 377). PRESIDENTIAL ICON DURING THE DAYS OF THE FEAST
To honour the tradition started in the days of H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco (1931-2010), this year H.E. Dr George Abela, President of the Republic of Malta, will also send the Russian icon of St George kept at the Presidential Palace of San Anton in Malta. Depictions of the martyrs are an aid for us to feel the concrete presence of God s power among us. The icon will be exposed at the Basilica and, while we admire its beauty, we should remember our Christian brothers and sisters who live on Russian land and pray for more unity between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches. SACRED MUSIC AT THE BASILICA We appreciate the great effort that has been done for musical compositions of sacred music to be executed in the best way possible. The music will be executed by the Choir of the Basilica Laudate Pueri and the Victoria Festival Orchestra. For the occasion the choir will be accompanied by Maltese and foreign choir singers, some of them coming from the Pontifical Choir of the Sistine Chapel and the Coro dell Accademia di Santa Cecilia, as well as local and foreign soloist singers. During the days of the Triduum and the vigil and day of the feast, the music performed at the Basilica is directed by Prof. Joseph Vella, maestro di cappella. The music at the Basilica during the feast is organised by Can. George J. Frendo, assistant maestro di cappella, and Dr Maria Frendo, choir leader of the Laudate Pueri. The soloists are soprano Miriam Cauchi (Malta), tenor Antonino Interisano (Italy) and bass Dario Russo (Italy). CDs with the music played can be acquired from the Basilica. FESTA BROADCASTS ON RADIO AND WEBSITE There will be radio broadcasts for those who cannot come to the church. For the elderly, radio broadcasts are an aid, but these broadcasts can also be abused by those who are not so. The transmissions and photos on the website are for those who are far away from us. Inform your emigrant family and friends about this tool. From 23 June 2013, the parish radio station Leħen il-belt Victoria (104FM MHz Stereo) broadcasts all liturgical functions and activities to do with the Feast, together with religious, cultural and informative programmes. The programmes are broadcast from the studios in St George s Square, from the Basilica, the parish centre, and the city s streets and squares. All Festa functions can be followed on the station s website www.lbv104.com, which can also be accessed from the Basilica s website www.stgeorge.org.mt. Here, apart from the viewing and hearing of all transmissions, one can also benefit from a prompt and extensive service of photos of the Feast s activities.