The feast reached its climax
in the evening. At 5.30pm,
Sannat's ‘Santa Margerita’
Band played marches from
Hamri Street and later
joined the St Joseph Band at
the Apparition Square. Both
bands then marched together
to the Main Square. As the
statue of Our Lady of Loreto
emerged from the main door
of the church thousands of
people started clapping and
chanting 'Ave Maria'. The
glitter of joy in the eyes
of the Ghajnselmizi and
their sense of pride was
certainly visible. The
procession started at
8.00pm. The St Joseph Band
accompanied the statue
around the main streets
while the Leone Band
entertained the crowds in
the main square until
10.15pm.
After the triumphal
re-entrance of the
procession, the internal
festivities came to an end
when Archpriest Frankie
Bajada presided over the
final rendition of the
liturgical antiphon in
honour of Our Lady of
Loreto. He delivered the
Eucharistic Benediction to
the thousands of faithful
that crowded the church.
The celebrations ended with
the traditional 'Marc
tal-Hdax' performed by the
St Joseph Band.