On February 11, the Catholic Church celebrated the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the very young French girl Bernardette Soubirous, in a deserted cavern at Massabielle near the village of Lourdes in southern France.
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes is long-standing in Victoria and it was introduced in Gozo through the town parish church. The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that is venerated at St George’s basilica, is in these days displayed under a royal mantle topped by a silver crown, in the main aisle of the church.
Our Parish has reserved a special Mass to commemorate the feast and it will be followed by a procession. This procession aux flambeau will follow a shortened course through San Ġorġ tal-Ħaġar, Triq il-Librerija and Strada Karita’.
Below one can find the programme of events commemorating this feast in our parish.