Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538451
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 15 AUGUST 2025 NEWS Santa Marija feast and Zebbug 'deeply in local tradition' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 At the height of severe enemy bombardment in 1942 just five merchant ships out of 14 that set sail from Britain reached the Grand Harbour. The heavily crip- pled ships brought much needed food and fuel supplies that averted the islands' surrender. Forever etched in the Maltese psyche as a Marian miracle, the daring sea operation became known as the Santa Marija Convoy and it has been commemorated ever since. The Christian feast on 15 Au- gust is celebrated in seven parish- es across Malta and Gozo: Mosta, Għaxaq, Gudja, Mqabba, Qrendi, Attard and Victoria. The parishes of Dingli, Mġarr and Żebbuġ in Gozo, celebrate the feast on the liturgical feast Sunday. Every year, thousands of Maltese descend on Gozo for day or week holidays, making it the busiest week for the entire tourism and catering sectors on the island. Around 135,660 passengers boarded the Gozo ferries during Santa Marija week last year. Between 12 to 18 August 2024, Gozo Channel ferried almost 47,000 vehicles during the 700 trips it operated. Fast ferry service Gozo Highspeed also carried al- most 29,000 passengers over 220 journeys. This year promises to be no dif- ferent. And while many staying in ho- tels, farmhouses and private rent- als flock to the beaches, restau- rants, bars and clubs, the attention this week is on Rabat and Zebbug and the festivities they organise to celebrate this feast. Speaking to GozoToday, the secretary of the Leone Philhar- monic Society, Giovann Sultana, explained that the feast is deeply rooted in local tradition. "Santa Marija has been celebrat- ed in Gozo for at least 500 years, with the procession of the statue being a key element since 1726," he said. The current statue, sculpted in Rome in 1897, was donated to the Cathedral by the Leone Philhar- monic Society. Sultana said that months of preparation go into the event and volunteers from Armar Santa Marija have been working to pre- pare the Cathedral and decorate the statue ahead of the evening procession, aiming to make everything look just right. What to Expect in Victoria The August events started on Friday, 1 August, with a Mass for deceased parishioners and a BBQ. On Saturday, 2 August, a Mass was held for parishioners living outside Victoria. Sunday, 3 August included a Mass with the Leone Philharmon- ic Society and a special Mass for couples celebrating wedding anni- versaries. On Monday, 4 August, there was a Mass for the residents of Dar Ar- ka, followed by a community gath- ering. Tuesday, 5 August was Chil- dren's Day, with a children's Mass, activities, games, and a treasure hunt in the Citadel. On Wednesday, 6 August, Mass was held for parish groups, fol- lowed by a youth meeting. Thurs- day, 7 August included a Mass for the elderly and babies born in the past year, followed by a festa dinner. Friday, 8 August featured a Mass for priests celebrating or- dination anniversaries and chil- dren's games. On Saturday, 9 August, the tradi- tional horse races and a Mass for new altar servers were held. Sun- day, 10 August marked the 50th anniversary of the crowning of the titular painting, with a visit by Cardinal Mario Grech, a Pontifical Mass, a statue procession, and a public celebration. From Monday, 11 to Wednes- day, 13 August, the Triduum included daily Vespers, Masses, band marches, and fireworks. Yesterday, children lead a morn- ing parade, followed by the vig- il, a relic procession, and a night march. Today is feast day, with Masses from early morning to evening, including a main Mass at 9:00am, daytime band marches, an evening procession of the Santa Marija statue, and fireworks by VAMPA. The celebrations close on Sun- day, 17 August, with a final Mass and the return of the statue to its niche. Celebrations in ŻebbuŻ Żebbuġ major Baskal Saliba told GozoToday that the Santa Marija The statue of Santa Marija in the Gozo Cathedral, as recorded in the inscription beneath the arch, was donated to the Cathedral Chapter by the Leone Philharmonic Society on the 29th of April 1956