Coming Up

¤ Holy Week functions in English are being held at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria today at 9.30 a.m., on Maundy Thursday at 5 p.m. Good Friday at 3 p.m., on Saturday at 6.30 p.m. and Easter Sunday at 9.30 a.m.

¤ A Passion procession with the participation of 160 children is being organised in Xaghra by the parish vocational centre, today at 6.30 p.m.

¤ An exhibition entitled 'The last week of Jesus', is being held at the Jesus of Nazareth Centre in Xaghra, starting today. The exhibition will be open on Easter Sunday, daily from 7 p.m. onwards and on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

¤ Holy Week activities are being held at the Cathedral in Victoria. A Passion procession, with the participation of the Leone Band, is being held today at 6 p.m.

A concert of sacred music, with the participation of the Chorus Cathedralis, the Cathedral Youth Choir and the Leone Band, is being held on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. On Maundy Thursday Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Mass at 8.30 p.m. to commemorate the institution of the Catholic priesthood. During Mass all priests will renew their ordination vows and holy oils used will be blessed.

At 6.30 p.m. the solemn memorial of the Last Supper will be celebrated. The Blessed Sacrament will also be carried to the altar of repose, where it will remain for adoration.

On Good Friday at 4 p.m. Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by the Cathedral Chapter, will lead the liturgical functions commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.

On Easter Sunday at 9 a.m. Bishop Cauchi, accompanied by the Cathedral Chapter, will lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass. This will be followed at 10.45 by a procession with the statue of the Risen Christ from the cathedral to Savina Sqaure and Independence Square, accompanied by the Leone Band.

¤ The Ideal Home Exhibition, featuring hand-made and imported products, is being held at the Astra Complex Theatre, today from 10 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 10 p.m. Items on display include domestic appliances, hi-fi equipment, household goods, decorative products, glasswork and stained glass, sofas and other household items.

¤ The blessing of palm and olive leaves is being held on the parvis of St George's basilica, Victoria, today at 10.45 a.m. This will be followed by a concelebrated Mass at the basilica by the archpriest, Mgr Joseph Farrugia.

Tomorrow, the Way of the Cross is being held during a pilgrimage with the statue of the Redeemer from St Francis church to the basilica.

Mysterium Salutis, a prayer representation with music and classical dance on the Passion of Christ is being organised by the Church's Cultural and Historic Committee at the basilica on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Body and Dance Group, the Laudate Pueri Choir and Zghazagh 23 will also take part.

On Wednesday at 6 p.m. Bishop Cauchi will lead a penetitional, concelebrated Mass at the basilica.

Liturgical services on Maundy Thursday start at 6.30 p.m. while on Good Friday they start at 4 p.m. The traditional Good Friday procession, with the participation of the La Stella Band, leaves the basilica at 6 p.m.

Holy Saturday Mass starts at 8 p.m.

On Easter Sunday a procession with the statue of the Risen Christ starts at 9 a.m. The La Stella Band will be taking part. Bishop Cauchi will lead a Pontifical concelebrated Mass at 11 a.m., followed by the blessing and distribution of figolli to the children of the parish.

¤ Good Friday processions will be held in Zebbug and Xaghra.

¤ The three-act play Id-Dar ta Bernarda Alba, by Federico Garcia Lorca, is being staged by the Gozo School of Drama at the Don Bosco Oratory, on April 17 at 7.30 p.m. George Mizzi will be directing the play. For tickets contact the Box Office on 2155-6616 or 2156-4360, or the ticket hotline on 7930-3101 or 2156-0472.