Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Celebrated in Xagħra and Għajnsielem
Traditional mass also held beside the historic niche in Ħamri Street.
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated with devotion last Thursday at Ta’ Ħamet church, on the outskirts of Xagħra. Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma presided over a concelebrated Mass together with Canon Michael Xuereb and Mgr Carmelo Hili. The liturgical celebration was followed by a procession with the statue of Our Lady through the church surroundings.
The feast was also traditionally observed in Għajnsielem, where Archpriest Joseph Hili celebrated Mass beside the historic niche of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ħamri Street, which has watched over the neighbourhood for more than two centuries. The annual gathering at the treasured landmark continues to be a cherished expression of faith and devotion among local residents.
Archpriest Joseph Hili
Brothers Loreto and Vincent Vassallo, together with James Vassallo, one of Vincent’s sons, are pictured carrying out cleaning and maintenance work on the niche.
Wayside niches dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel are a distinctive feature of Gozo’s towns and villages, reflecting the island’s deep Marian devotion. Historically, the Church granted special graces and indulgences to the faithful who paused to pray before some of these sacred niches, making them important centres of popular piety.