• San Lawrenz today celebrates the feast of its patron saint with a pontifical Mass led by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech at 9am. Fr Richard Farrugia will deliver the panegyric. Solemn vespers will be said by Fr Joe Borg at 7pm, followed by marches by La Stella Band from Triq Wied Merill to the main square. At 7.45pm, the band will play the titular hymn of Luigi Billion, composed by Giuseppe Giardini Vella. This will be followed by a concert in the main square and a procession with the statue of St Lawrence, led by Fr Borg, accompanied by Victory Band. The procession ends at 10.15pm with a fireworks display, the antiphon, sacramental blessing and the translation of the relic.
• The house in San Lawrenz where the late Fr Joseph Cauchi, who was known for his holiness, used to live will be open to the public today from 6pm to midnight. To visit it on other days call 2155 4181 or 2156 0072.
• Masses at Ta’ Pinu sanctuary will be said today at 6.15, 8.30, 10 and 11.15am and 5pm, followed by the rosary and Eucharistic benediction. On Wednesday, Masses will be said at 5, 6, 7, 8.30 and 9am and 5.30, 6.30 and 8pm, followed by the rosary.
• Masses at St James church, Independence Square, Victoria, will be said today at 10.30am, and on Saturday at 9.30 and at 10.30am.
• Il-Fergha Ewkaristika (Għawdex) will hold an hour of adoration on Thursday from 9 to 10am at Our Lady of Pompeii church, Victoria. The rosary will be recited at 8.45am.
• Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Coadjutor Bishop of Tripoli George Bugeja will lead a night vigil on Friday from 8 to 10.15pm at Ta’ Pinu sanctuary, after which the Gozitan Eucharistic Movement will lead an adoration, followed by Mass at midnight. Transport will be available from all parishes. For more information call 2145 3105. The event will be transmitted live on Radio Maria 102.3FM/107.8FM.
• On Saturday, the feast of Santa Marija, four Heritage Malta museums at the Citadel in Victoria – the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, the Gozo Nature Museum and the Old Prisons – will be open from 9am to 5 pm (last admission at 4.30pm) at a special price of €2 per person.
• The 200th anniversary of the birth of St John Bosco, patron saint of children and youths, will be celebrated in Victoria next Sunday. The Salesian Boys Brigade of Sliema will hold a parade at 9am from Republic Street to St Augustine’s Square. At 9.30am, a procession with the statue of the saint will leave Don Bosco oratory chapel, accompanied by the brigade. The procession will return to chapel at 10.30am, where Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will lead a solemn High Mass with the participation of the Chorus Urbanus under the direction of John Galea. All are invited to attend.
charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com