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JULY 2003 -
DIOCESAN CENTENARY SOLEMNITY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST
GEORGE |
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Following the Special
Liturgical Centenary Celebrations in April 2003,
St George's Parish in Victoria, continued
in the preparation and celebration of the Annual
Summer Diocesan Solemnity of St George’s Martyrdom in
the Diocese of Gozo, which reached its climax on
the 20th July 2003. Once again special
spiritual and cultural activities were organized, which
reflected a continuation of the centenary celebratory
events in April. These events were again both of a
spiritual and a cultural nature. |
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The Holy
Relic of the Cranium of St George venerated
at the Basilica of St George in Velabro in
Rome |
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Detail of the
polychromic wooden statue of St George by Peter
Paul Azzopardi and found at St George’s
Basilica, Victoria, Gozo |
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SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES |
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The spiritual activities organized
for the Diocesan Solemnity of St
George included the usual annual program
enhanced by a number of special events to mark the
historic centenary occasion, which included:
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1. Declaration of St George's
Solemnity as a Festivity throughout the Diocese of Gozo |
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The Gozo
Diocese Bulletin of Sunday 20th July 2003 on the
occasion of the Centenary Diocesan Solemnity of
St George |
On the occasion of the 1700
anniversary of the Martyrdom of St George, Patron Saint
and Protector of Gozo, Bishop Nikol Cauchi
issued several documents regarding this historic
occasion for the diocese of Gozo, including:
a. His decision to keep the Diocesan Solemnity of
St George in July as a Festivity
throughout the Diocese of Gozo, so that all
masses should be held in honour of St George.
b. The indulgences associated with the Velabro
relic of the cranium of St George, granted by
Pope John Paul II by a special rescript of
the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.
c. A pastoral letter that dealt with the
Mystery of Easter through Witness of St George
that occurred 1700 years ago. This letter was
read at all the masses of the diocese on Sunday 20th
July 2003. |
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2. The Bringing
of the Relic of the Cranium of St George from the
Basilica of San Giorgio in Velabro in Rome |
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The canopy &
high altar of the Basilica of San Giorgio in
Velabro, where the ancient relic of the
cranium of St George is venerated |
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The facade of
the Basilica of San Giorgio in Velabro in
Rome, Italy |
As part of the special events of
the centenary celebrations permission was granted by
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar of the Pope and
of the Congregation of the Cult of the Saints
to bring from the Basilica of San Giorgio in
Velabro in Rome, the Relic of the
Cranium of St George for the veneration of
the parishioners of St George's Basilica in
Victoria, Gozo.
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Close-up of
the Relic of the Cranium of St George from
St George's Basilica in Velabro, Rome |
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The Relic of
the Cranium of St George under the high
altar of the Basilica of San Giorgio in
Velabro |
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Archpriest J
Farrugia handing the relic to Bishop N
Cauchi on its arrival |
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Archpriest J
Farrugia holding the relic on its arrival
(Bishop Lupinaci on the left) |
The Velabro Relic arrived at
Republic Street, Victoria on Tuesday
15th July 2003 at 6.30pm, accompanied by
Rev Joseph Gauci who brought it over from
Rome. Bishop Lupinacci, who also arrived from Italy
handed over the relic to Archpriest Farrugia.
Bishop Cauchi carried it in translation from
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Bishop Cauchi
(carrying the relic) accompanied by Bishop
Lupinacci (right), Archbishop Gregorios (1st
left) & Bishop Rowell (2nd left) |
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The
Collegiate Chapter & Clergy during the
translation of the relic on its arrival |
Republic Street to the
Basilica. Accompanying the Bishop
during the Translation of the relic
were the Collegiate
Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica, the Invited
Dignitaries representing other
Christian Denominations
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Participation
of the Victoria Boys Scout group in the
translation of the relic |
(the Eastern Catholic
Bishop Ercole Lupinacci, the Greek Orthodox
Archbishop Gregorios and the Anglican Bishop
Geoffrey Rowell), the La Stella Band,
the Victoria Boys Scout Group and all
the devotees of the saint. A welcoming
address was done in by Archpriest Mgr Joseph
Farrugia on arrival of the relic at the main
door of the Basilica.
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The
Congregation during the Pontifical
Translation of the Velabro Relic on its
arrival from Rome |
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Bishop Cauchi
(carrying the relic) accompanied by Bishop
Lupinacci (right), Archbishop Gregorios (1st
left) & Bishop Rowell (2nd left) |
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Bishop Cauchi
carrying the relic during the translation on
the eve of the solemnity on 19th July 2003 |
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Display of St
George's relic at the main altar of the
Basilica |
The Velabro relic was displayed on
a prominent position of the main altar for the rest of the
week. In the mornings the relic was taken for the
veneration of the sick and infirm at their residence
and at Gozo
General Hospital. It was also taken to a number of monasteries.
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Four members
of the parish clergy carrying the relic
during the procession of St George on 20th
July 2003 |
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The
veneration of the Velabro relic by the
faithful |
The relic was translated again by
Bishop Cauchi
in a pontifical procession on Saturday 19th July
2003 at
6.30pm.
It was also carried by four members of the
parish clergy in the Procession of St George on
Sunday, 20th July 2003.
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3. Invited
Dignitaries for the July 2003 Centenary Solemnity |
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 Bishop
Nikol Cauchi, Bishop of Gozo and Dean of St George’s
Collegiate |
 Mgr
Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop of Malta |
 Cardinal
Salvatore de Giorgi, Archbishop of Palermo and Primate
of Sicily |
 Cardinal
Edward Michael Egan, Archbishop of New York
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 Mgr
Silvestro Magro OFM, Bishop of Salde |
 Mgr
Ercole Lupinacci, Eastern Catholic Bishop of Lungro in
Calabria |
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Gregorios, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira and
Great Britain |
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Geoffrey Rowell, Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar |
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The Gozo Cathedral Collegiate
Chapter |
The Parish of the Visitation of
Għarb Collegiate Chapter |
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The Parish of Sts Peter and Paul
of Nadur Collegiate Chapter |
The Parish of the Nativity of
Our Lady of Xagħra Collegiate Chapter |
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4. The
Ecumenical Dimension of the July 2003 Centenary
Solemnity |
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Representatives of the various
Christian denominations who venerate St
George (Eastern Catholic Rite, Greek
Orthodox Church and Anglican Church) were
invited to participate during these special festivities.
The invitees participated in a number of liturgical
celebrations, including: |
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The translation of Relic of St
George on its arrival from Rome on the
15th July 2003, where the Invited
Dignitaries of the various Christian denominations
accompanied Bishop Cauchi as he carried the relic from Republic Street
to the Basilica. |
An Ecumenical Vigil Service of Prayer and
Praise to St George at the Basilica,
which was held after the translation of the
Velabro relic on its arrival on 15th July
2003. Bishop Cauchi, presided over this service,
together with the Invited Dignitaries of the
various Christian denominations. |
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The Liturgical Functions
of the Diocesan Solemnity  |
The Devotional Procession of St George on the day
of the diocesan solemnity - 20th July 2003
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A Catholic Eastern Rite
Service - Divine Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom was presided by Bishop Ercole
Lupinacci on 18th July 2003. |
A Special Anglican Communion Service,
presided by the Anglican Bishop Geoffrey Rowell
held the 16th July 2003
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5. Personal
Celebrations of the Parish Clergy |
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Deacon Tonio Galea was ordained into
the priesthood by
Cardinal Edward M Egan, Archbishop of New
York (invited for the occasion) in a
pontifical concelebrated mass
at the Basilica
on Saturday 12th July 2003 at 7.30pm.
The newly ordained priest concelebrated his
first solemn mass, with the
participation of the Laudate Pueri
Choir on Sunday 13th July 2003
at 10.00am. |
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Geoffrey G. Attard was ordained into
the deaconry by Bishop
Cauchi at the Gozo Cathedral
on 24th June 2003 at 7.00pm |
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Archpriest Mgr Joseph Farrugia
and Canons Rev Felix Tabone and Rev Giovanni Bosco
Cremona, celebrated the 25th anniversary
of their ordination by a concelebrated mass of
thanksgiving on Saturday 5th July 2003 at
7.00pm with the participation of the Laudate Pueri
Choir.
The investiture of the Altar Boys of the Basilica
was done in a concelebrated mass presided by
Archpriest Mgr J Farrugia on Sunday 6th
July 2003 at 9.00pm. |
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The Liturgical
Calendar of the Centenary Celebrations of the St
George’s Solemnity |
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The
Devotional Statue of St George - a wood sculpture by Pietro Paolo Azzopardi
in 1839 |
The annual liturgical functions
of the July solemnity of St George were
specially celebrated for the occasion of the 2003
centennial commemoration and included:
1. Thursdays of St George: The traditional
devotional celebration of the nine Thursdays prior to
the week of the diocesan solemnity of St George,
in preparation for the July solemnity of the
patron saint included celebration of mass
by both resident and invited parish priests from other
parishes of Gozo. Each mass included singing of
vespers and an homily related to the
virtues of the Great Martyr. The ninth and last
Thursday was celebrated on Thursday 10th July 2003
at 6.00pm by Bishop Nikol Cauchi, who led
a mass at the Good Shepard Chapel in Victoria.
2. Novena of St George: The Parish
Catechetic Committee organized a 9-day
Novena between the 30th June and the 8th
July 2003 leading to the week of St
George’s Solemnity. The aim of the novena was to
teach Christian values through the witness of St
George for the Christian faith. Each day of the
novena included a mass at 5.00pm followed
by a modern theatrical presentation in 9 episodes
on the life of St George organized by the
Astra Theatrical Group. This presentation was
based on the play written by Mgr Saviour Borg: “ST
GEORGE: THE GIFT OF GOD TO MAN. The 9 episodes
were titled as follows:
Mon 30th June Episode 1: The Gift of Life
Tue 1st July Episode 2: The Gift of Baptism
Wed 2nd July Episode 3: The Gift of Youth
Thurs 3rd July Episode 4: The Gift of Hard Work
Fri 4th July Episode 5: The Gift of Charity
Sun 5th July Episode 6: The Gift of Loyalty
Mon 6th July Episode 7: The Gift of Martyrdom
Tue 7th July Episode 8: The Gift of Glory
Wed 8th July Episode 9: The Gift of Patronage |
3.
Ecumenical Liturgy in Commemoration of the 17th
Centenary of St George’s Martyrdom:
To celebrate the arrival of the Velabro Relic
of the Cranium of St George from Rome to St
George’s Basilica, an ecumenical vigil
liturgical service of prayer and praise to St George
was held on the arrival of the relic on Tuesday
15th July 2003 at 7.30pm. Bishop
Nikol Cauchi presided over this service,
together with the invited dignitaries of the
various Christian denominations and the
Collegiate Chapter and Clergy. The sacred
music was performed by the Laudate Pueri Choir.
The schedule of this historic liturgical
function included:
a. A
Procession with all the Participants
as the hymn, Veni Creator was sung in
Latin by the entire congregation.
b. The
Liturgy of the Word of God, which
included the first reading from Revelations
7:9-17, read by a member of the local
Anglican community, followed by an address
by Anglican Bishop Geoffrey Rowell.
This was ensued by the singing of the canticle
Christus passus est pro nobis (from
the first Letter of Peter 2:21-24) by the
Laudate Pueri Choir. A Gospel reading in
Greek from Luke 9: 23-26, was then
read by the Greek Orthodox deacon,
followed by the offering of the Book of the
Gospel by the deacon to the presiding
bishops, as a Catholic priest leads the
congregation in singing Psalm 117 in honour of
the Risen Lord. This was ensued by an
address by the Orthodox Archbishop Gregorios.
The singing of Ubi Caritas concluded
this section of the service.
c. The
Liturgy of Thanksgiving, which was
led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi in Latin,
followed by the reading of the Preface of the
Martyrs, the singing of the hymn Holy,
Holy and concluded with an address by
Bishop Cauchi.
d. The Prayers to St George, which included
the Universal Prayers through the Intercession
of St George; a Prayer to St George in
Greek invocated by the Orthodox Archbishop Gregorios
as he offered incense to the Holy Crucifix and
the Relic of St George; the Renewal of
the Baptismal Promises led by Bishop Nikol Cauchi;
the introduction of the Our Father by Anglican
Bishop Geoffrey Rowell; the Invitation
for the Kiss of Peace by the Catholic Eastern Rite
Bishop Ercole Lupinacci; the
Invitation to Venerate the Relic of St George by
Archpriest Joseph Farrugia; the
Offering of the Relic by the deacons to be kissed by
the congregation as hymns and the
antiphon to St George are sung; and the
reading of A Prayer to St George in Maltese by
Archpriest Joseph Farrugia.
e.
Conclusion
of the Vigil Ecumenical Service with
a Blessing by the four prelates and a
dispersal hymn.
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4. Triduum of St
George: Each of the 3 days of the triduum
was specially introduced by a procession that started
from a nearby chapel at 6.00pm.
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On Wednesday,
16th July 2003, the procession
started from the Chapel of the Franciscan
Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Palm Street,
Victoria to the Basilica,
and was led by the Bishop Silvestro Magro
with the participation of the Collegiate
Chapter of St George's Parish and the
Collegiate Chapter of the Parish of the
Nativity of Our Lady of Xagħra. |
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On Thursday, 17th July 2003,
the procession started from the Chapel of
the St James in Independence Square, Victoria
to the Basilica, and was led by
the Bishop Nikol Cauchi with the
participation of the Collegiate Chapter of
St George's Parish and the
Collegiate Chapter of the Parish of the Sts
Peter and Paul of Nadur. |
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On Friday, 18th July 2003,
the procession started from the Chapel of
Savina in Savina Square, Victoria to the
Basilica, and was led by the
Bishop Ercole Lapinacci with the
participation of the Collegiate Chapter of
St George's Parish and the
Collegiate Chapter of the Parish of The
Visitation of Our Lady Għarb |
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The
Collegiate Chapter of the Parish of St
George singing the tridium vespers |
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Rev Joseph
Gauci delivering the traditional triduum
homily |
On all 3 days of the
triduum the procession was followed by the
singing of vespers led by the
invited bishop and with the participation of
the Collegiate Chapter of St
George's Parish and the invited
Collegiate Chapter from one of the
parishes of the Gozo Diocese. The
Laudate Pueri Choir and the Scola
Cantorum Gregoriana provided the sacred
music under the direction of Rev George J
Frendo. A special traditional tridium
homily in honour of St George was then
addressed by Rev Joseph Gauċi,
followed by the hymn, ‘Georgi Miles Inclite’
and the Antiphon in honour of St George.
The tridium was then concluded with a
Eucharistic Adoration and Blessing.
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Archbishop J
Mercieca leading the pontifical
concelebrated Te Deum Mass |
5. The Te
Deum Mass and the Translation of the Relic of St
George on the Eve of the Diocesan Solemnity of St
George: A pontifical
concelebrated mass with the solemn
singing of the Te Deum was led by the
Archbishop Joseph Mercieca on Saturday
19th July 2003 at 10.00am. In the evening
at 6.15pm Bishop Nikol Cauchi was
accompanied by the Collegiate Chapter and
Clergy of the Basilica and the
Gozo Cathedral Collegiate Chapter from
the Palace of the Bishop in Republic Street
to the Basilica,
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Bishop N
Cauchi leading the Translation of the
Velabro Relic of St George on the Eve of the
Diocesan Solemnity |
where he was greeted by the
La Stella Band at St George’s
Square. At 6.30pm, the bishop
led the Solemn Pontifical Translation of the
Velabro Relic of the Cranium of St George
again with the participation of the Collegiate
Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica and the
Gozo Cathedral Collegiate Chapter. The
sacred music for the translation included the
Vespers for the Solemnity of St George, the
Antiphons of St George and the
Tantum Ergo in Honour of St George performed
by soloists, choir and orchestra and directed by
Mro Joseph Vella. |
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Bishop N
Cauchi leading the Translation of the
Velabro Relic of St George on the Eve of the
Diocesan Solemnity |
6. Pontifical Concelebrated Mass of the Diocesan
Solemnity of St George: On the 20th July
2003, Cardinal Salvatore de Giorgi,
Archbishop of Palermo led a pontifical
concelebrated mass, together with Bishop
Nikol Cauchi and Bishop Lapinucci.
Other participants in this pontifical
concelebrated mass included HE Archbishop
Gregorios and the accompanying Greek
Orthodox Deacon, members
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Bishop N
Cauchi leading the Translation of the
Velabro Relic of St George on the Eve of the
Diocesan Solemnity |
of the Gozo Cathedral Chapter,
the Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica
and other clergy invited for the occasion.
The mass started with a procession from
one of the side doors of the Basilica,
around St George's Square and through the
main door of St George's Church. The 1st
and 2nd readings were read by members of the parish,
while the responsorial psalms were sung by Rev
Joseph Mercieca.
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Bishop N
Cauchi leading the Translation of the
Velabro Relic of St George on the Eve of the
Diocesan Solemnity |
The Gospel was read in both
Greek by the Greek Orthodox Deacon and in
Maltese by a Maltese Deacon. The
homily was orated by Cardinal de Giorgi
himself in Italian. The sacred music for
this mass - the Mass in D in Honour of St
George – Princeps Martyrum, composed and
directed by Mro Joseph Vella was
performed with the participation of the soloists
Myriam Cauchi – soprano; Joseph Mercieca – Tenor;
Carlos de Miranda – baritone, the Laudate Pueri
Choir and orchestra.
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Other Spiritual
Activities |
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The
Qormi Parish Church of St George |
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Detail
of the Statue of St George found in St
George's Parish, Qormi, sculpted in wood by
Pietro Felici |
1.
Participation in the Centenary Celebrations
organized by the Parish of St George in Qormi,
Malta: An invitation was extended by
the Archpriest of the parish of St George in
Qormi to participate in the Centenary
Celebrations organized by that parish. On
Wednesday, 25th June 2003 at 6.00pm,
Bishop Nikol Cauchi, Dean of St George’s
Collegiate, accompanied by the Collegiate Chapter
and Clergy of the Basilica, led a
pontifical concelebrated mass at the parish of St
George at the town of Qormi in Malta.
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The
Silver Monstrance used for Eucharistic
Adoration and Blessing at St George's Parish
Church |
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'The
Virtue of Charity'
Detail of one of the four lunette paintings
underneath the main dome of St George's
Church, painted by Gian Battista Conti |
2.
Eucharistic Adoration: Friday
11th July 2003 was devoted to a full day of
Eucharistic Adoration, which started
with a mass by Rev George J Frendo at
9.00am with the participation of the Scola
Cantorum Gregoriana and was concluded at the
5.00pm mass.
3. Charity
Campaign: The annual charity
campaign started on Monday 30th June 2003,
where both the Parish and individual parishioners
donated monetary offerings and other objects for
charity. As part of this charity campaign, a group of
parishioners also donated blood at the Blood Bank of
Gozo General Hospital on Tuesday 1st July.
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4. Youth
Spiritual Service: The parish youth and
musical group, 234 participated in a
spiritual service, led by Deacon Geoffrey G Attard
on Thursday 3rd July 2003 at
9.00pm.
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CULTURAL ACTIVITIES |
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The centenary year annual summer diocesan festa was
characterized a number of special cultural activities,
including both external festivities and high cultural
events. This cultural calendar included: |
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External
Festivities |
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The traditional Maltese Festa
cultural activities were organized with special vigour
for the centenary celebrations and included: |
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The La Stella
Philharmonic Society Quarters decorated
specially for the celebrations |
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Angel
holding the flag of the La Stella
Philharmonic Society (one of the numerous
street decorations for the annual festa |
The La Stella Philharmonic
Society, as every year was the
organizer of the external festivities for the
centenary celebration diocesan festa, in
which several traditional band marches
were performed during the week leading to Sunday
20th July 2003. These marches included
the major participation of La Stella Band,
as well as several other bands from Gozo and
Malta that were invited for the festivities.
In addition the Society organizes the
spectacular street decorations,
firework displays and the
horse races. |
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1. Traditional
Maltese Band Marches:
All the usual band marches of the annual festa were
performed and included: |
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a. On Thursday
10th July 2003 at 7.00pm, a band march by
the La Stella Band and the Ite Ad
Joseph Band of Qala started from in front of the
Good Shepard Chapel in Victoria to St George’s
Square, where together with the multitude of
devotees of St George, the band greeted
with applause and hymns, the transfer of the
Devout Wood Statue of St George from its niche into a
prominent part of the Basilica at 8.00pm.
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The wooden
and bronze plinth on which St George's
statue is put in the Basilica during
St George's solemnity |
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The Statue of
St George in its niche in the Basilica |
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St
George's Statue at the main door of the
Basilica during the
its transfer from the niche |
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The
transfer of St George's statue from the
niche |
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The Ite Ad
Joseph Band of Qala, together with the
devotees of St George during the tarnsfer of
St George's Statue from its niche on 10th
July 2003 |
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St
George's statue placed in a prominent
position of the Basilica after its transfer
from the niche |
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b. On
Wednesday 16th July 2003 at 10.00pm,
a demonstration parading the Statue of St
George on Horseback Slaying the Dragon was
accompanied by the La Stella Band and
the Santa Marija Band of Zebbug and
started from Għajn Qatet Street to St George’s
Square, where the statue was put on a large
plinth in the middle of the square.
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c. On
Thursday 17th July 2003 at 9.30pm, a
demonstration parading the Statue of St George
was accompanied by the La Stella Band
and the St Margaret Band of Sannat and
started form St George’s Square to St
Francis’s Square, where the statue was put
on a large plinth in the middle of the square.
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d. On Friday 18th July 2003
at 9.30pm, a grand demonstration parading the
Statue of St George Triumphant Over Evil was
accompanied by the La Stella Band and
the St Joseph Band of Għajnsielem and
started from St George’s Square to
Independence Square, where the statue was
put on a large plinth in the middle of the square.
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e. On Saturday 19th July 2003
at 11.15am a small
band march was played by the La Stella
Band from St
George’s Square to the La Stella Philharmonic
Society Quarters |
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f. On Saturday 19th July 2003
the La Stella Band performed a
march from the Society Quarters to St
George’s Square to greet the arrival of
Bishop Cauchi at 6.15pm for the
translation of the
relic of St George. |
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g.
On Saturday 19th July 2003 at
8.00pm the King’s Own Band of Valletta
were invited to perform a musical program at
St George’s Square, which was
followed by the performance of the
Hymn in Honour of St George by the
La Stella Band at 9.30pm. |
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h.
On Saturday 19th July 2003 after the
performance of the Hymn in Honour of St
George by the La Stella Band,
the King's Own Band and the La Stella Band
took part as a Massed Band in a
triumphant march from St George’s
Square to St Francis’s Square. |
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i.
On Sunday 20th July 2003
the La Stella Band
greeted Cardinal Salvatore de Giorgi
at St George’s Square
on his arrival for the Pontifical Mass.
At 11.00am the San Ġorġ Band of Qormi
performed the traditional and popular
morning band march, which started
from St George’s Square and
after parading around the streets of
Victoria concluded in the same square. |
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j.
On Sunday 20th
July 2003 several band
marches were then scheduled in the evening to
maintain the festive spirit during the climatic
procession of St George. These marches included:
(a) a band march at 6.15pm by the La Stella Band
and Nicoló Isouard Band of Mosta from
Republic Street to St George’s Square, where the
La Stella Band greeted the start of the
procession and afterwards the Nicoló Isouard Band
performed a musical program in St George’s Square;
(b) a band march at 8.00pm by the Mnarja Band of
Nadur from St Augustine’s Square to
Independence Square, where they performed a
musical program. The external festivities concluded with
the final band march at 11.00pm by the
La Stella Band starting from the
Society Quarters to St George’s Square. |
2.
The Street Decorations: The squares
and streets of Victoria are specially decorated for
the annual festa with:
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b. Wood carved
coats-of-arms on thin wooden plinths and
decorated with flags |
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Coat-of-arms in Palm Street |
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a. Various decorative
lights, arranged in intricate designs to
light up the streets during the evening
festivities |
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Decorative lights in Republic Street |
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c.
Papier Maché statues of angels and saints
connected with St George, displayed on
wooden plinths decorated with gilded baroque
designs and painted with a marble finish |
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Statues
of Angels
on wooden plinths in St George's Square
(above left); Statue of Pope Zachary on
wooden plinth in Independence Square (above
right); Clsoe up of intricate designing and
paint finish of one of 10 plinths on which
are put statues of angels in Independence
Square (below left); Statue of Pope Gregory
the Great on wooden plinth in Republic
Street (below right) |
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d. Various decorative
banderols and valance flaps made of red and
purple cloth with shaded yellow baroque
decorations and Christian symbols. In some
there will also be artistic paintings on
cloth of either saints connected with St
George or an episode of the life of St
George. |
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The set
of banderols in Republic Street (above
left); Close up of 1of a set of 12
banderols in Republic Street - in the centre
of this set of banderols there are painted
on cloth, the coats -of-arms of the various
orders of knights that are named after St
George (above right); A large valance
flap that is displayed at the beginning of
Castle Hill near Independence Square - in
the centre there is painted on cloth,
the Apotheosis of St George (below) |
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3. Firework Displays: A number of impressive
firework displays were specially prepared to
celebrate the centenary, these including a number of
aerial fireworks, as well as special
fireworks displayed in the main streets and squares
of Victoria. The fireworks were set off
during the main events in the week leading to the
20th July 2003, including the
transfer of the statue of St George from its niche,
the various band marches and demonstrations,
the arrival of the Velabro relic of the
cranium of St George, the translation
of the relic of St George and especially
during the devotional pontifical procession of
St George.
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Trophies for
winners of the horse races |
4. Horse Races: On
Saturday 19th July 2003 at 1.00pm, the
traditional horse races were held in Republic
Street, followed by the awarding of the
trophies to the winners by Minister for Gozo,
Giovanna Debono and the Major of
Victoria, Vivienne Galea Pace.
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This great day of the parish was
celebrated at 7.00pm with a Pontifical
Concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Nikol
Cauchi and with the participation of the
Collegiate Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica.
The sacred music used for this celebration was the
Mass in D in Honour of St George – Princeps Martyrum,
composed and directed by Mro Joseph Vella
with the participation of the soloists: Myriam
Cauchi – soprano, Joseph Mercieca – Tenor, Carlos de
Miranda – Baritone; the Laudate Pueri Choir and
Orchestra. |
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High Cultural
Activities |
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A number of high cultural activities
were organized for the occasion of this historical
event, these including: |
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1. The Victoria Arts Festival: The main high
cultural activity of the centenary annual festa was the
6th Edition of the Victoria Arts Festival,
the calendar of which included: |
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Brochure of
the 6th Edition of the Victoria Arts Festival -
24th June to 29th July 2003 |
24th June:
Choral Recital – Choir of Magdalene College, Cambridge
(UK)
27th June:
Piano Recital – Patrick Holming (Austria)
28th June:
Saxaphone and Piano Recital – Joe Vella/Sharon Gauċi
(Malta)
29th June:
Schubertiade – Lieder Recital – Ernst Lechthaler/Patrick
Holming (Austria)
30th June:
Renaissance Music and Dance – La Rossignol Ensemble
(Italy)
1st July:
Woodwind Recital – The Vallette Clarinet Quartet (Malta)
2nd July: Dance Collage – An Enchanted Evening of
Dance – Tanya Bayona Princess Poutiatine Academy of
Ballet (Malta)
3rd July:
Vocal Recital – Mezzo-sprano Sophie Grech/Simone Attard
(UK)
4th July:
Janascharco Trio (Malta)
Inauguration of Art Exhibition – Philip Chircop
6th July:
Chamber Music Concert – Oden Ensemble for Contemporary
Music (France)
7th July:
Violin Duo – Richard Axon/David Johnson (UK)
9th July:
Choral Recital – London Festival Singers (UK)
13th July:
The Composer Speaks – John Hearne (UK) |
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14th July:
Choral and Orchestral Concert with the
participation of Tenor Joseph Mercieca, the
Laudate Pueri Choir, I Cantori di Roma, and the
National Orchestra conducted by Mro
Joseph Vella. The highlight of this concert was
the world premiere of Symphony No. 3 (The
Apocalypse Verses) op 105, specially composed by
Mro Vella to commemorate the 1700
Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St George. At
the end of the concert, Mro Joseph Vella
presented the musical composition to Archpriest
Joseph Farrugia, as a gift to the Basilica.
23rd July:
Piano Duet – Natasha Chircop/Marco Rivoltini
(Malta)
24th July:
The Festive Brass Ensemble (Malta)
25th July:
Harp Recital – Cecilia Sultana de Maria (UK)
26th July:
Taħt Sema Kwiekeb – An evening of poetry and music in
Maltese. Co-ordinated by Joe Friggieri
29th July:
Symphonic Concert – Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra
(UK)
In addition to these various events, a 9-day
summer school providing master classes in
various disciplines by local and foreign tutors was
included in the program.
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2. Issue of
a Commemorative Leaflet: he
“CITY OF GOZO FOUNDATION”, together with
Maltapost (postal service of Malta) and
Maltacom (telephone service of Malta)
prepared an artistic commemorative leaflet
for the centenary occasion.
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Front
side of Commemorative Leaflet prepared by
the "CITY OF GOZO FOUNDATION" |
The leaflet contained:
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a. A
Special hand cancellation of the 11c stamp
depicting the titular painting of St George
at the Basilica dedicated to him in
Victoria, from the St George Paintings Set
of Malta Stamps issued on the 23rd April
2003 |
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b. A
telephone card (centre) issued by Maltacom
depicting the titular painting of St George
at the Basilica dedicated to
him in Victoria |
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3. Issue of Stamp Set and Souvenir Card
Maltapost set up a temporary post office at the
Parish Centre on the morning of Sunday
20th July 2003, where there was:
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b. A souvenir card
depicting the Russian Icon of St George
killing the dragon, painted in tempera and
gold on wood from the workshop of the Moscow
Patriarch in 1995 and venerated in the
Russian Chapel of the Presidential Palace of
San Anton at Attard, Malta.
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a. A
first day cover set of the St George
Paintings Set of Malta Stamps stamped with a
commemorative postal mark featuring the
Centenary Logo and dated 20th July 2003
(original set issued on 23rd April 2003). |
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4. Documentary
Exhibition – The Patronage of St George in Gozo:
This exhibition, which was first inaugurated in
April, was re-opened at the Parish Centre
by Cardinal Egan on Friday 11 July at
7.00pm.
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'The
Intercession of St George protecting Gozo from
the great plague of 1675', detail of the west
lateral apse painting by Gian Battista Conti,
found in St George's Basilica |
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'The
Intercession of St George, together with St
Paul and St Agatha protecting Malta from the
siege of Mdina of 1429, detail of the east
lateral apse painting by Gian Battista
Conti, found in St George's Basilica |
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THE PROCESSION OF
ST GEORGE |
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Once again both the spiritual and
cultural aspects of the centenary celebrations of the
diocesan solemnity of St George merged as one in the
climactic and highly devotional procession of St
George, which was held on the evening of Sunday,
20th July 2003. Following the solemn
celebration of the second vespers in the Basilica
at 6.00pm, the start of this historic centenary
procession was heralded by the familiar
tolls of the |
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church bells and the
firing of 21 petards in salute at 7.00pm.
The devout statue of St George was carried
shoulder high out at the main entrance of the
Basilica, where it was greeted by throngs of
emotional devotees, who crowded the square to salute
St George in applause and singing of the hymn
“Georgius Natus Est” to the musical notes
of the La Stella Band directed by
Mro Joseph Vella. |
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The traditional Italian Hymn in
Honour of St George was performed by the
La Stella Band accompanied by the Tenor
Joseph Mercieca, Baritone Carlos de Miranda and
the Basilica Choir. The
choir was beefed up by numerous choristers in the large
crowd that filled the square, who together with the
melodious tolls of the large basilica bell, further
enhanced the final emotional Gloria verse of the hymn,
as large palm fronds
were swayed in front of the statue and a
spectacular firework display was started.
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The Velabro
relic placed in a special urn and carried out of
the Basilica by four members of the parish
clergy during the procession |
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The clergy
cross carried by a deacon |
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Cardinal de
Giorgi in the procession |
The procession started off with the
members of the Various Confraternities of the Parish,
ensued by the La Stella Band performing various
religious hymns in honour of St George. The Statue of St
George, carried shoulder high by 8 members of the
confraternities was followed by the Collegiate Chapter
and Clergy led by the Clergy Cross, the Relic of the
Cranium of St George carried by 4 members of the clergy,
and Cardinal Salvatore de Giorgi accompanied by the
invited prelates, as fireworks were burned.
At 10.30pm, the statue was triumphantly returned to St
George’s Square where all the parishioners gave the last
greeting to St George before the entrance of the
procession back to the basilica, where the Antiphon of
St George was performed, followed by a Eucharistic
Blessing.
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The Velabro
relic of St George carried by 4 members of the
parish clergy during the procession |
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The
triumphant return of the statue of St George to
the Basilica after the procession |
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Photographs
kindly obtained from: St George’s Basilica Archive;
Scerri Photo Studio; personal photographs of Mr Joseph
Zammit and Dr Michael Camilleri |
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