Official portrait of St George Preca

The official portrait of St George Preca, that will hang on St Peter's Basilica's façade during the canonisation ceremony that the Pope will lead next Sunday, was released by the Curia yesterday.

The image will also be printed on the new saint's holy pictures that will be available from Rome next Sunday and from the Preca Library, Blata l-Bajda thereafter. The holy pictures will include prayers in Italian, English or Maltese.

Archbishop Paul Cremona yesterday presided over a diocesan celebration on the occasion of the Vigil of Pentecost in Birkirkara, which was used to prepare for Blessed George Preca's canonisation.

The ceremony, consisting of a Mass followed by a prayer vigil, recalled the occasion when the Church received the Holy Spirit and started reaching out to preach the Gospel. A similar celebration was also held on St George's Square, Victoria.