Coming up

¤ Wojtyla Chants is a memorial concert organised by the John Paul II Monument Committee and Xaghra council at the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Xaghra on Friday at 7.30 p.m. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate, under the direction of Marouska Attard, will perform pieces by Palestrina, Lotto, Handel, Arcadelt, Kodaly, Frisina and a new piece by Paul Portelli. Donations for the John Paul II monument will be appreciated. Entrance is free.

¤ Xewkija celebrates the feast of St John the Baptist today with concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Mario Grech at 8.45 a.m.

The Leone and St Michael Bands play marches in the streets at 11. Vicar-General Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci leads a solemn concelebrated Mass at 6.30 p.m.

The procession, led by Gharb archpriest Mgr Karm Gauci, starts at 7.45 p.m. and ends at 10.30 with the antiphon and a sacramental blessing. The Precursor, Mnarja and Ite ad Joseph bands will also participate.

¤ Celebrations to mark the feast of St Peter and St Paul next Thursday start in Nadur today with an agrarian show organised by the local council on Archpriest Martin Camilleri Square today at 8 a.m. The Mnarja, Menhir and Ciangura folk groups will take part. At the end of the show Minister Giovanna Debono and Nadur mayor Chris Said will present trophies.

The Mnarja band will play marches from Xandriku Street to Archpriest Martin Camilleri Street at 9.

Canon Anton Mejlak leads a concelebrated Mass to celebrate 50 years of priesthood at the Basilica at 5 p.m.

Tomorrow at 9.30 p.m., the Ite ad Joseph and Stadmusik Engen bands will play marches in the main streets.

On Tuesday at 9.30 p.m., the Mnarja and Santa Margerita bands will take part in a demonstration with the statue of St Peter and St Paul. Meanwhile the St Joseph Band gives a concert on St Peter and Paul Square.

The Sbandieratori di Carpineto Romano will be giving a show on St Peter and St Paul Square at 10.30.

The statue of the saints will be placed on its pedestal at midnight.

On Wednesday at 6.30 p.m., Bishop Grech leads the pontifical translation of the relic, after which Archpriest Salvu Muscat will lead solemn vespers, accompanied by the Collegiate Chapter and clergy. A sacramental blessing will follow.

The Dorog and Tat Band of Hungary will give a concert on St Peter and St Paul square at 8.30 p.m., the Hungarian majorettes Tati Kultuhaz Mazsorett Csoport will also be participating.

The Mnarja and Stadmusik Engen bands will play marches in the main streets at 9.30, while the Victory Band gives a concert on the main square.

The Sbandieratori di Carpineto Romano will perform at 10.30 while a fireworks display will be held at midnight.

On Thursday, Bishop Mario Grech leads pontifical concelebrated Mass at 9 a.m. The Premju Qalb Generuza will be presented to the most deserving child.

At 10.30 the Sbandieratori di Carpineto Romano will perform on St Peter and Paul Square, while the St Gregory and Stadmusik Engen bands play marches in the streets at 11.30.

The bishop leads pontifical vespers at 6.30 p.m.

The procession with the statue of the saints, led by Archpriest Salvu Muscat, leaves the basilica at 8. The Mnarja, Precursor and La Stella bands will take part. At 10 the procession will end with the antiphon and a sacramental blessing.

Rev. Joshua Muscat of Nadur and Michael Curmi of Xaghra will be made deacons by Bishop Grech at the Cathedral Church in Victoria on Tuesday at 6 p.m.