The Christmas Novena 2021, organised for children and their families within our parish, came to an end yesterday. During the last nine days the daily 18hrs Mass was said by Archpriest Mgr Joseph Curmi. The sermons for children have been ably delivered by deacon Gabriel Vella.
Deacon Vella presented to the children, and indeed to the whole congregation who followed attentively his dialogues, some of the main aspects of our faith relating to the Christmas event. The theme for this year was inlibsu lil Ġesu’ Bambin. It was supported by short plays, the protagonists being some of the children themselves, along with adult actors.
The Novena Masses were further animated by the high-spirited chanting of traditional Christmas carols, and was accompanied by the youth section of the La Stella Band Club under the direction of Dr John Galea, during one of the days. At the end of every Mass the traditional Alma Redemptoris Mater was sung. Every celebration ended with the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. One must praise the high attendance to these evening novenas amid the current circumstances, since a good number of children and parents duly attended to the Novena Masses.
Readers are invited to follow the Christmas programme at the basilica as published on this website. We extend our greetings for a blessed Christmas, and remind those who are away and would like to follow the church celebrations that they can do so thanks to our live streaming service on the internet.
[photos: Andrea Camilleri]