The
festive celebrations in Ghajnsielem
continued today with the blessing of the new
bells.
The
activities started at 9.00am with a
Concelebrated Mass ‘In Fractione
Panis’ led by Gozo Bishop Mgr Mario
Grech with the participation of
Chorus Urbanus and the Virgo and
Lauretana choir under the direction
of Mro. Dr John Galea who was an
advisor on the harmony of the new
bells.
The
Ghajnslemizi than packed church
aisles to watch the 'ħruġ tal-vara'
as the titular statue of Our Lady of
Loreto was taken out of its niche
among the singing and clapping of
the congregation. It was than was
carried shoulder high along the
naves and placed in the main aisle
as the St Joseph Band played 'Ave
Maria' followed by ''Innu Marcia'
and 'Viva x-Xemx'.
The
celebrations continued in the main
square as a large crowd gathered to
watch the ceremony of the blessing
of the new bells. Attired in rich
golden robes and seated high on the
church parvis, Bishop Mgr Mario
Grech said that the bells did not
just have a voice, they spoke a
language that could be heard by the
public in times of joy and sorrow.
Mgr Grech emphasized that the bells
also served a liturgical role as
their sound before Mass pricked the
conscience of the public to go to
church.
As
petards burst in the sky Mgr Grech
was the first to ring each bell as
he blessed and called the name of
each bell one by one - Maria Loreta,
Maria Ġużeppina, Maria Antonia,
Maria Silvana, Maria Dolora,
Maria Carmela, Maria Filomena and
Maria Francesca.
The
historic day ended with the bells
joyfully playing the tune of 'Ave
Maria' of Fatima and Lourdes as the
Ghajnslemizi witnessed the
realisation of a long-awaited dream.
