Feast of St John the Baptist in Xewkija
Celebrations will include masses, festive marches and fireworks
Xewkija celebrates the feast of St John the Baptist on Sunday. Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma will lead a pontifical mass at 9am, during which he will deliver the panegyric. The Missa Papa Giovanni XXIII by Mro Joseph Vella will be played. The Precursor Band, directed by Mro Marvin Grech, will play marches along the main streets of Xewkija at 12.30pm.
A synchronised confetti display to music will take place at St John the Baptist Square at 2pm. Archpriest Mgr Daniel Xerri will lead a solemn mass at 6.15pm, followed by a procession with the statue of St John the Baptist at 7.45pm, accompanied by the Precursor Band. The Mnarja Band of Nadur, directed by Mro Joseph Grech, will also take part. Celebrations will be broadcast on Radju Prekursur and streamed on www.radjuprekursur.com.
Fr Michael Grima will celebrate a children’s mass on Saturday at 9am during which the Te Deum will be sung. The children’s choir, Ulied il-Battista, will take part. A children’s manifestation with the statue of St John the Baptist will be held at 9.45am.
The translation of the relic of the saint will be led by Mgr Eddie Zammit at 7pm, with the participation of the Knights of the Sovereign Order of Malta. Mgr Zammit will then lead a concelebrated mass attended by emigrants from Xewkija. The homily will be delivered by Fontana parish priest Canon Simon Cachia.
The 12th May Band of Żebbuġ (Malta) will play marches along the streets of Xewkija at 9pm, followed by a festive march by the Prekursur and 12th May bands along St Catherine Street at 9.30pm.
At the same time, the St Joseph Band of Għajnsielem will hold a march starting from Independence Street, followed by a musical programme at St John the Baptist Square under the direction of Mro Frankie Debono. An audiovisual feature and a drone show, themed Harmony in Flight, will be held at St John the Baptist Square at midnight.
There will also be aerial fireworks and a roof-top pyrotechnic show, Flames of Nativity, synchronised to music, by Mount Carmel Fireworks of Żurrieq.