If one were to evaluate how our feast was celebrated, one would observe that it was really well organised in every respect.
All the liturgical celebrations carried out in church bore the rubber-stamp of genuine devotion. We greatly appreciated that each day of the Novena was dedicated to a particular category of parishioners.
The liturgical celebrations on the feast's eve and the feast day itself left nothing to be desired. Special appreciation goes to the parish priest and the liturgical commission for their endeavour to prepare these church celebrations to the minutest detail.
Attendance for the Novena and the other liturgical celebrations was very encouraging.
One cannot help observing and enjoying the fact that the Mellieha community has grasped the message of its titular feast. Once again this year, we have witnessed hundreds of people taking part in the procession, accompanying the devoted statue of Our Lady, while saying the rosary and singing Marian hymns.
This devotion towards Mary bears witness to the fact that our forefathers have always instilled a special devotion in their sons and daughters to this Woman who, besides being the Mother of Our Saviour, is also our Mother.
This devotion towards Mary also stems from the parishioners' love for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha. The oldest Marian sanctuary on the island is the gem of the Mellieha community.
The external celebrations, organised in the parish square and the streets of Mellieha, were also carried out successfully. Although external, these celebrations were still decorous and peaceful.
The feast of the Bambina in Mellieha attracts many people from every town and village in Malta and Gozo. This is because, besides being well organised, the feast is carried out in a tranquil manner without any extra rivalries.
I can confirm this myself since after the feast many people shower their compliments about the way in which it was celebrated in peace and quiet - an example of how a religious feast should be celebrated.
I would say that the success of our feast, year in year out, owes its merit to the parish priests, who together with the clergy, clubs and other groups, have worked hard and are still doing their utmost so that the feast will be a means of union rather than division in the community.
The principal aim of all concerned was that the feast would be a means to enrich everybody's spiritual needs. I would also like to mention and thank the presidents, secretaries and committees of the Mellieha clubs. Although their opinions might differ, they still co-operate with each other so that peace and union reign throughout the feast days.
I would like to thank and congratulate the parish priest and all the clergy, who worked hard so that the feast would leave its spiritual effect. Special appreciation goes to the group who looks after the upkeep of the church, the bell ringers, those who take care of the external decorations and the amateur fireworks makers.
I must also thank the group of men who every year help in the church decorations; the La Vittoria and Imperial band clubs for the programmes and marches they executed; as well as the Marija Bambina choir and orchestra for the beautiful programme they carried out and for their part in the church's liturgical functions.
One must also appreciate the commitment of the president and committee of the Labour Party Club, who organised the morning march, which added to the joyous atmosphere on the feast day.
Lastly, I would like to thank the local council, which once again offered its services and has done its part so that peace reigns among the societies and the parish community.
A very special thanks go to all the Mellieha community, who really appreciates my work as a sacristan as well as the work carried out by all, beginning with the parish priest and ending with the youngest altar boy, all of whom do their best so that our feast would be as successful as possible.
May the Lord God help us to continue working together and may nothing come in our way to hinder peace and joy in the forthcoming feasts.