Il-Għid tal-Assunta, the Cathedral annual, is 50 years old. It was first published by the late Mgr Carmelo Scicluna, former archpriest of the Cathedral, in August 1966. It features a mix of historic and cultural Marian articles and poems, together with a chronicle of the important and historical events that took place at the Cathedral in the previous year.
The 50th anniversary issue includes a colour supplement of the past 50 covers of the annual and five researched articles, including the history of Il-Għid tal-Assunta by Joseph Bezzina, its editor.
The key article commemorates the pastoral visit of Bishop Baldassare Cagliares to the Matrice 400 years ago. Two other articles are by Giovanni Bonello and Winston L. Zammit. Ġanninu Cremona, the Assumption poet, is the only person to have contributed to the first and to the 50th edition of the annual.
The cover carries a photo of Santa Marija carried down the church’s steps with the newly-restored Cathedral facade in the background by Daniel Cilia.
Copies can be obtained from the Cathedral parish office tel: 2155-4101 against a donation to cover costs.