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The feast of the Immaculate Conception is being celebrated in Victoria and Qala today and tomorrow.

In Victoria, Fr Michael Attard, OFM Conv., will lead a concelebrated Mass, with the singing of the Te Deum, at St Francis church, today at 9.30 a.m. This will be followed by the blessing of horses on St Francis Square.

Fr Alfred Cachia, Franciscan Conventual provincial, will lead a solemn translation at 5.15 p.m. This will be followed by solemn vespers and a Eucharistic benediction. The Laudate Pueri Choir, directed by Fr George J. Frendo, assistant maestro di cappella of St George's Basilica, will take part.

Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a pontifical concelebrated Mass, with the participation of the Chorus Urbanus, led by Mro John Galea, at 6.30 p.m. The La Stella Band will play marches at 8 p.m., followed by a ground fireworks display on St Francis Square.

Tomorrow, the feast day proper, Vicar-General Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci will lead a concelebrated Mass with the participation of the Laudate Pueri choir, at 9.30 a.m. Canon Joseph Cauchi will deliver the panegyric.

Donkey and horse races will be held in Republic Street at 1 p.m.

There will be an hour of adoration led by members of the Legion of Mary at 3.

At 5 solemn vespers will be led by Mgr Albert Curmi. The procession with the statue of Our Lady leaves the church, accompanied by the La Stella Band at 5.45 p.m. The Mnarja Band will perform a programme on St Francis Square. The procession will end with a Eucharistic benediction. There will be ground fireworks on St Francis Square.

Today, at the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception in Qala, Mass for the sick and those with special needs will be said at 3.30 p.m. by Mgr Baldassare Cuomo, rector of the sanctuary of Pompei, Italy. Those attending will be given a memento.

At 4.30, a procession will be held to mark the 50th anniversary of the diocesan pilgrimage in the beginning of the 1953 Marian year, in which the collegiate chapter and clergy, accompanied by the Ite ad Joseph and St Joseph Bands will take part. The procession will end with a sacramental blessing on Sanctuary Square.

Tomorrow at 9.15 a.m. Bishop Nikol Cauchi will lead a concelebrated Pontifical Mass, and deliver the panegyric.

The traditional pilgrimage with motorcycles and cars leaves Ta' Pinu Sanctuary at 1.30 p.m. for Qala Sanctuary, where they will be blessed by archpriest Fr Carmelo Refalo. Mementoes will be given to the drivers.

Solemn vespers will be led by Mgr Lorenzo Xerri at 4 p.m. The procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by Mgr Cuomo, leaves the sanctuary at 5 p.m. The Ite ad Joseph Band and the St Joseph Choir will take part. Sacramental benediction will be imparted at the end of the procession.

A book fair is being organised by Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria today and tomorrow at the Exhibition Hall, St Francis Square, Victoria. It will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 8 p.m.

Fr Emanuel Curmi, director of Caritas Gozo, will celebrate Mass at the church of Santa Lucija on Tuesday at 6.30 p.m., in which the public will offer donations and foodstuffs for the needy.

This will be followed by an evening of folk music by Benny and Tonia at the Santa Lucija Centre at 7.30.

A ceremony to mark the feast of St Lucy, which falls on Saturday, is being held by the Kercem council on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Gieh Santa Lucija award will be presented during the evening, in which the St Gregory Band will take part. On Friday at 7.30 p.m. there will be high tea and tombola at the centre, while on Saturday at 5.15 p.m., at the church of Santa Lucija, Vicar-General Mgr G.B. Gauci will preside over the translation of the relic and lead a concelebrated Mass. The St Gregory Band will play marches at 7.30 p.m.

A competition for the best crib or decorated window is being organised by Xaghra parish. Those wishing to participate are required to collect an application form from the parish centre (tel. 2155-1042 or 2155-7881) by Friday.

The Cathedral parish is organising a high tea and tombola at the Leone Band Club, Victoria, on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets at Lm1.50 from Grace Debono (tel. 2155-1460) or Coney Island Bar (2155-1289).

A Christmas dinner is being held at L-Imgarr Hotel on Friday, December 19. Tickets, at Lm8 for adults and Lm4.50 for children up to 12, are available from Josie's Supermarket, Briffa New Store, Bookpoint and Scouts Headquarters till December 17 (tel. 2155-6497).