Friday 3rd April marked the
devotional beginning of Holy Week. All over the islands,
processions and pilgrimages were held with deep
veneration towards Our Lady of Sorrows and in
Ghajnsielem this was certainly not an exception as
hundreds followed the solemn procession of Our Lady of
Sorrow which went round the main streets of the village.
The feast takes place before Palm Sunday and is
considered as one of the most revered in the Maltese
islands.
The
procession started at 6.00pm and took the form of a pageant
with various participants dressed up in period costumes
to represent Biblical personalities.
It was a day of devotion with several volunteers
participating in this procession as an act of sacrifice
or thanks-giving. The St Joseph Band accompanied the
procession with religious and funeral marches.
The pageant started out at the church of Our Lady of
Loreto passing from Chambrai Street (in front of the band
and football clubs), then Dun Guzepp Galea Rapa Street,
Moghdija Street, Gleneagles Street, turned into Ghajnsielem
Street, Our Lady of Loreto Square, Ramon Perellos Street,
Independence Square, down Anglu Grech Street, Apparation
Sqaure and finally Fawwara Street. One could see many people
praying with devotion along the street. Many devotees
decorated their home facade with candles and Holy
figures. The main square was also decorated with large
crosses.
Hymns were sung as the
Rosary was said on the way. Since the event was
broadcasted live on Radju Lauretana, some devotees took
their radio sets outside so that the pageant
participants could hear the on-going commentary. The event was organized by
L-Ghaqda Drammatika Ghajnsielem.
Meanwhile this weekend
several volunteers will be making the final preparations
for several activities which will be taking place on
Palm Sunday. These include the inauguration of a Holy
Week exhibition at the St Joseph Band Club, a model of
the Golgotha adjacent the radio station premises and the
final preparations for the Via Sagra which will take
place on Sunday afternoon.
