The external celebrations kicked off today when the St. Joseph Band played a set of marches from Garden Street to the Main Square. 

At 10.30pm, the church was packed with people, especially youths, for the traditional 'ħruġ'. The Ghajnselmizi sang and clapped as the huge protective glass door of the niche was unbolted and opened wide, and the titular statue of Our Lady of Loreto was seen emerging forward into the crowded church.

Devotees of all ages and all walks of life filled up the church to witness the emotional transfer of the statue as it was carried shoulder high along the naves and then placed in the main aisle. The St Joseph Band played 'Ave Maria'

It has been a long-standing tradition that the transfer of the Titular statue from the niche to the main aisle of the church takes place the Monday leading to the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto. Until 1998, the Titular statue used to be taken out from the Old Parish Church and then accompanied to the new parish church but this tradition changed once the gothic-style niche was inaugurated.