On the eve of the Liturgical Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, Ghajnsielem for the first time marked the celebrations in the form of a procession where the St Joseph Band Club accompanied the statue of the Black Madonna around the main streets. At the end of the procession, a bonfire was lit in the main square as the Ghajnselmizi gathered around it while Marian marches where played. Hundreds of people attended to this activity which certainly marked the beginning of a new tradition for our village. The procession was broadcasted live on Radju Lauretana.

This is the first time that the Black Madonna is being taken out for the procession. The statue was acquired in Rome and paid for by Frangisk Mizzi in 1924. The building of the new parish church has been under its protection and in fact, it was taken inside the old church on 13th September 1924, on the eve of the laying of the foundation stone of the new church.

The Lauretana Bonfire
The idea to lit a bonfire during the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Loreto came from a centuries-old tradition where the people used to light bonfires known as 'Focaracci' or 'Festa della Venuta' during the night between the 9 and 10 December, to celebrate the legend according to which in 1294 - when Nazareth was occupied by the Moslems - angels carried the house of the Virgin in flight to Loreto. The bonfires are intended to guide the angels through the night to their destination. Legend says that this happened on the 10th of December.

This tradition is still celebrated in Loreto and nearby towns on December 9 but until 40 years ago this holiday was widely celebrated in central Italy in all quarters of every town and city. For weeks before, the children prepared for the "fochere" and often begged items from friends and neighbours to make the biggest fire. At night the people gathered around the fires, singing for Mary and saying the rosary. With the passing of time this tradition faded.

Concelebrated Mass
On Monday, a concelebrated mass atarted at 6.00pm. The orchestra under the direction of Mro Frankie Debono took part in the ceremony while Fr Martin Mamo delivered the preach. Eucharistic celebration also took place at the end of the concelebrated mass. All activities were broadcasted on Radju Lauretana and Radju Maria.
 

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