Centenary celebrations for St Catherine of Alexandria

November 25, the liturgical day dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of Zejtun and Zurrieq, this year has a special significance as it marks the beginning of a full year of religious, festive and socio-cultural activities to mark the 1,700th year since the saint's martyrdom.

Celebrations will be held in the two villages throughout the centenary year with the climax to be reached on Thursday, November 25, next year when special feasts will be organised over and above the summer feasts in June and September respectively.

Documents show that in 1436 there were 12 cappelle in the Maltese islands dedicated to St Catherine, of which two were parishes - those of Zurrieq and Zejtun.

Traces of the devotion to St Catherine of Alexandria were found in the Cathedral of Mdina and in the church of St Mark in Rabat well before the year 1436.

Over the years the devotion towards St Catherine was further demonstrated by a good number of lateral altars dedicated to her in a number of new parishes that were built.

The Knights of the Order of St. John also gave their contribution towards the growth of the devotion to St Catherine especially by the building of chapels in Valletta and Vittoriosa.