Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538451
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 15 AUGUST 2025 NEWS feast in Rabat 'deeply rooted tradition' celebrations began on Saturday, 9 August 2025, with a Mass for liv- ing and deceased benefactors at 7:00pm, followed by a traditional Maltese evening and tombola or- ganised by the parish fundraising group. Sunday, 10 August was dedicat- ed to the elderly and the sick, with several morning Masses and a 5:00pm concelebrated Mass where the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was administered. On Monday, 11 August, the fo- cus was on Catholic organisations, including the Legion of Mary and catechists, with a special Rosary and concelebrated Mass at 7:00pm. Tuesday, 12 August featured the much-anticipated unveiling of the Santa Marija statue, preceded by a Mass and followed by a prayer vigil on the church parvis. Wednesday, 13 August was Youth Day, with evening Mass at 7:00pm and a youth-focused prayer vigil led by Fr Krystof Butt- igieg. Yesterday, the Vigil of the As- sumption, included a solemn Mass at 7:00pm led by Fr Frankie Cini MSSP. Today, the Feast of the Assump- tion, includes Masses throughout the day at 6:00am, 7:00am, 8:15am, 10:30am, and 5:00pm. Tomorrow is family day, featur- ing a 7:00pm Mass for newlyweds and couples marking 10, 25, and 50 years of marriage, followed by a tombola event in the square. Sunday, 17 August is Children's Day, with horse races at 6:30am, a 5:00pm children's Mass with baptisms and presentations, and a children's procession with a small statue of Santa Marija at 7:00pm. On Monday, 18 August, Żebbuġ commemorates the 45th anniver- sary of the crowning of the titular painting, with a Mass led by Bishop Carmelo Zammit and an evening march by Banda Viżitazzjoni tal- Għarb. Tuesday, 19 August is dedicated to local clubs and volunteers, with a concelebrated Mass at 7:00pm and a traditional dinner with live music at 8:30pm. The Triduum begins on Wednes- day, 20 August, with catechesis for children in the morning, and a solemn Mass in the evening led by Kan. Reuben Micallef. This contin- ues on Thursday, 21 August, which is dedicated to Żebbuġ emigrants, with a Mass led by Dun Gerard Bu- hagiar and a BBQ with live music. Friday, 22 August focuses on Żebbuġ residents living in oth- er localities, and includes a Mass at 7:00pm, followed by a major demonstration with the external statue of Santa Marija and a mid- night statue raising ceremony in the main square. The vigil is held on Saturday, 23 August, starting with a morning Mass, followed by the translation of the Madonna's relic and a sol- emn Mass led by Cardinal Mario Grech. In the evening, there will be a band march and a musical program in the square, conclud- ing with a large synchronised fire- works show at midnight. The Feast Day falls on Sunday, 24 August, with Masses through- out the day and a Pontifical Mass at 9:00am led by Bishop Anton Teuma. The afternoon includes a band march at 11:30am, fireworks at 1:45pm, an evening procession with the statue of Santa Marija at 7:15pm, and musical programs in the square. The day ends with the solemn en- trance of the statue, final blessings, and the traditional kiss of the relic. The celebrations close on Mon- day, 25 August, with morning and evening Masses, including a 7:00pm thanksgiving Mass led by Archpriest Ġwann Sultana, fol- lowed by the return of the statue to its niche. The titular statue of the Assumption in Zebbug was purchased from Gallard et Fils of Marseille in 1863, making it the oldest statue of the Assumption in Gozo Giovann Sultana (left), secretary of the Leone Philharmonic Society and (right) Zebbug mayor Baskal Saliba