Activities started early In the morning with a pontifical concelebration presided by Mons. Giovanni B. Gauci, Vicar General of the Diocese. The Te Deum hymn concluded the solemn Triduum.

At 5.15pm, the St Joseph Band performed a short march from Cordina Street to the main square. Mons Giovanni Bosco Gauci led the Pontifical Translation of the relic followed by singing of the solemn vespers and Mass.

At 9.00pm Victoria's La Stella Band played a marches from Garden Street ending in the Main Square where they later performed a musical programme. At the same time, hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters started to assemble in Hamri Street waiting for the St Joseph Band and Xaghra's Victory Band to arrive for the traditional ''Marc ta' lejlet il-festa".

For the second consecutive year, several ground-fireworks were displayed along Hamri Street as rain of confetti and papers thrown from private roofs never stopped. At midnight, the St Joseph Band arrived in the main square where the young revellers continued to dance, chant and drink together. To their delight and applause, several fire-planes simultaneously crossed the main square from three different locations among the chanting of 'Viva x-Xemx'. A gigantic 'spider-web' filled with thousands of balloons covered the whole square. A 'helicopter' then crossed the main square with a banner showing the words 'Protettrici ta' l-Avjazzjoni'

The dark summer night was literally lit up when a spectacular pyrotechnic ground-firework display accompanied by relaxing music ended this fantastic evening. Dozens of sky lanterns were also released in the air from the Band Club premises.

More photos taken by Norbert Cauchi
More photos taken by Josef Cutajar