Birkirkara breaks with tradition and holds evening procession

The feast of St Helen in Birkirkara yesterday broke with tradition and was celebrated in the evening, the exception made to mark the 1,675th anniversary of the saint's death.

It was the second time in a few years that the feast in Malta's largest town was celebrated in the evening, instead of in the morning - three years ago the feast was also held then, to mark the 50th anniversary since the parish church was declared a basilica.

Fr Paul Gauci, a member of the Birkirkara chapter, said it was a long-standing tradition for the procession to be held in the morning, braving the strong August sun, with concelebrated Mass following.

But when there was a particular anniversary the Chapter decided to hold the feast in the evening to give it more solemnity and for it to be enjoyed by a greater number of people.

But festa enthusiasts questioned at random in Birkirkara yesterday did not seem too keen on the feast being celebrated in the twilight of the day on special occasions.

"What sense does is make to break with a unique tradition on special occasions and do what everyone else does," asked a woman. Instead of keeping something special, the feast was being made common, she argued.

A man said that the feast of St Helen was a feast which was meant to be celebrated in the morning.

"Helen comes from helios, which is Greek for sun. Ours is a feast meant to be celebrated in the morning," he argued.

The feast of St Helen is celebrated on August 18 if this falls on a Sunday, or the following Sunday.