Preparations for papal visit by Victoria parish

St George's parish of Victoria, Gozo, is organising a week of formation open to the public, in preparation for the pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Malta on Saturday and Sunday.

The aim of this activity is to help people prepare for the Pope's visit through theological conferences in Maltese, liturgical celebrations and artistic expositions.

An exhibition of original engravings representing St Paul's Shipwreck in Malta, lent to St George's basilica from Prof. Joseph Vella's private collection, will open today.

A conference by Mgr Joseph Farrugia, archpriest emeritus of St George's basilica and professor of Dogmatic Theology at the University of Malta, on Benedict XVI's teachings on the Church, will be held at 7.15 p.m. tomorrow in Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia.

A conference by Can. George J. Frendo, professor of Moral Theology at the Gozo Major Seminary, on Benedict XVI's teachings on conscience will be held on Tuesday at 7.15 p.m.

A conference by Rev. Joseph Mercieca, lecturer of Sacred Music at the Gozo Major Seminary, on Benedict XVI's teachings on the liturgy will be held at 7.15 p.m. on Wednesday.

There will be solemn Eucharistic adoration led by Mgr Pawlu Cardona, archpriest of St George's basilica, on Thursday from 7.30 p.m.

An audio-visual presentation on Benedict XVI's pontificate, with the participation of the basilica's Laudate Pueri choir, directed by Can. Frendo, will be held at the basilica on Friday at 7.30 p.m.

All events, including the Pope's visit on Saturday and Sunday, will be broadcast on St George's parish radio, Leħen il-Belt Victoria (104 FM Stereo), with audio and video streaming available on www.lbv104.com.