Feast of Our Lady of the Lily celebrated in Mqabba

Mqabba celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Lily last month. This year’s festivities commemorated and celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the artistic and devotional titular statue in 1876.

The festivities opened on June 12 with a street party, titled Blue Gathering – Music Bingo, in Mqabba square. The following day, the children’s feast was held, during which a small statue of Our Lady of the Lily was carried by children in a lively march along the village streets.

In the morning of June 14, the statue of Our Lady of the Lily was unveiled and blessed, following restoration and conservation carried out during the past year. During the ceremony, held in the parish church, historical information about the statue, as well as details about the restoration process were shared with the community.

In the evening, a celebratory march was held by the Madonna tal-Ġilju Band, during which a new artistic flag and a new illumination system for the façade of the society’s premises − located in the main square − were inaugurated. Souvenirs were presented to all those who contributed to the restoration scheme of the statue.

June 15 was dedicated to the society’s children. The presentation of children and infants before the statue of Our Lady of the Lily was held, followed by a mass with the participation of children and youths. The external festivities continued with a march featuring the Spinola Band of St Julian’s.

On June 16, a vocal and instrumental concert by the Madonna tal-Ġilju Band was held under the patronage of parish priest Fr Blake Camilleri. The event featured a selection of musical pieces performed by local and international singers, including Kerry Ingram from the UK.

The 150th anniversary of the statue was also commemorated through multimedia presentations. The society received presentations from various personalities and entities during a reception in the club’s halls.

Following the church functions on June 17 and 18, the band marches continued with the participation of the St Leonard Band of Kirkop and the St Joseph Band of Ħamrun. During the first Triduum march, the first phase of a new street decorations project was inaugurated, consisting of a set of street-line decorations and banners for Karmenu Ciantar Street. Throughout these days, aerial fireworks were let off by the Madonna tal-Ġilju Fireworks Group.

On June 19, the Madonna tal-Ġilju Band, together with the Duke of Connaught’s Own Band of Birkirkara, held the traditional and very popular Friday March, during which the youth section of the society stood out for its meticulous organisation of festivities. The march reached its climax with the lifting of the statue of Our Lady of the Lily onto its pedestal and three pyromusical shows around the square. This was followed by a festive spectacle in the main square.

On June 20, the eve of the feast, the La Vittoria Band of Mellieħa performed a musical programme. A synchronised fireworks show – Symphony of Stars – set to music and fired for the first time from two steel structures featured many new and original elements.

The spectacle continued with the firing of various sets of traditional and coloured fireworks, as well as spheres and shells of different sizes, further confirming the fireworks group’s skill. This part concluded with a mechanised artistic carpet on 21 poles, which was recognised and awarded by The MaltaRecords during the same evening.

The pyrotechnic night came to an end with an exhibition of various original ground fireworks, showcasing mechanical ingenuity and a wide range of colours − innovations by the Madonna tal-Ġilju Fireworks Group.

On the feast day, June 21, a solemn pontifical mass, presided by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi, was held in the morning. It was followed by the traditional midday march by the Madonna tal-Ġilju Band with the enthusiastic participation of supporters.

The solemn procession with the statue of Our Lady of the Lily, led by the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, was held in the evening. On the procession’s return to the church, the antiphon was sung and a Eucharistic celebration was held. The fireworks group then offered its thanksgiving at the parish church.

On June 22, parishioners enjoyed the traditional xalata (beach day).

The Madonna tal-Ġilju Musical Society thanked all those who worked wholeheartedly to make this year’s festivities a success. Further thanks go to the parish priest and clergy, those who decorated the church with its artistic treasures, the police and Mqabba local council, as well as the thousands who flocked to Mqabba to take part in the festivities.

Above all, the society offered its deepest gratitude to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception under the title of Tal-Ġilju, in whose honour these cherished annual celebrations are held.