Scenes from a Procession

Statue of St Julian during the procession

St Julian’s feast was celebrated last Sunday in my hometown, and here are a few photos from the procession taking place in the evening. The mile-long procession meandered through the customary streets of the old part of the parish, with the participation of lay people carrying tall flags representing different confraternities, as well as altar servers and a priest carrying the relic of Saint Julian. 

The statue of the saint, crafted in 1893 was carried by 8 strong men at the tail end of the procession, followed by a marching band. The festa season is winding down now, and the last major feast is being celebrated on September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, a celebration that also commemorates the victory of the Maltese people against the Turkish Armada in the Great Siege of 1565. This feast is celebrated at 4 different parishes, Mellieha, Senglea, Xaghra in Gozo and Naxxar, where my chapel at Hilltop Gardens is located. So I will be participating in some events and possibly a procession on the eve of the feast. I will be also celebrating a Mass for emigrants in the parish of Mellieha on September 6. The last major feast this year is the Immaculate Conception in the town of Cospicua.

The Redeemer and the Redeemed.

A large decorative fan created by young enthusiasts.